The US is looking to establish military drone bases along the West African coast in a bid to counter the growing threat of al-Qaeda and Islamic State militants in the region, according to American and African officials.
The US is in preliminary talks with Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Benin, three coastal countries that are relatively stable and prosperous, but face increasing insecurity from Islamist insurgents spilling over from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. These three landlocked countries, known as the Sahel, have been plagued by jihadist violence since 2012, resulting in thousands of deaths and millions of displaced people.
The US drone bases would allow American forces to conduct aerial surveillance of militant movements and provide intelligence and tactical support to local troops during counterterrorism operations. The drones would be unarmed, but could be equipped with missiles and bombs if needed, the officials said.
The US initiative reflects a strategic shift in its military posture in Africa, where it has been scaling back its presence and assistance in the Sahel due to political instability and security risks. Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have all experienced military coups in the past two years, prompting the US to suspend or reduce its aid and cooperation with their governments. The three countries have also turned to Russia for military support, hiring Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group or holding talks on closer ties with Moscow.
The US hopes to maintain its influence and security interests in the region by partnering with the coastal states, which have so far been spared the worst of the Islamist insurgency but are increasingly vulnerable to attacks and infiltration. Benin, a narrow strip of land bordering Burkina Faso and Niger, has seen a surge in militant incidents this year, mostly carried out by al-Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates. Togo, another small neighbor, has also witnessed terrorist attacks, including ambushes, improvised explosive devices, and clashes with security forces. Ivory Coast and Ghana have not experienced any major attacks recently, but have reported the presence of militant cells within their borders.
The US has a long history of cooperation with these countries, especially Ghana, which hosts an annual US-led military exercise involving special forces from Europe and Africa. Ivory Coast also hosted the event in 2021 and is expected to do so again in 2023. Benin has a contingent of US special forces stationed in the country to advise and assist its army in counter-militant missions.
The US proposal to base drones in these countries is still subject to negotiations and approvals from the host governments, as well as the US Congress, which has to authorize any overseas military deployments. The US has identified potential sites for the drone bases, such as Tamale Air Force Base in Ghana, Parakou Airport in Benin, and three airfields in Ivory Coast. The locations are chosen to provide a safe distance from the militant hotspots and a reasonable range for the surveillance flights.
The US already operates drone bases in other parts of Africa, such as Djibouti, Ethiopia, Niger, and Tunisia, where it conducts intelligence and strike missions against Islamist targets in Somalia, Yemen, Libya and the Sahel. The US drone program in Africa has been controversial, as it has been accused of causing civilian casualties, violating national sovereignty, and lacking transparency and accountability.
The US says its drone operations are in line with international law and human rights standards, and that they are necessary to protect its national security and support its allies in the fight against terrorism. The US also says it is committed to helping its African partners develop their capabilities and resilience and does not seek to establish permanent bases or a large footprint on the continent.
Source: Wall Street Journal
