Media: US negotiating military base in Côte d'Ivoire

The Head of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Michael E. Langley, has paid a visit to Ivory Coast to discuss the opening of an American military base for testing drones, TASS reports with reference to Jeune Afrique magazine

According to the publication, the US delegation – consisting of the Chief of the US Africa Command and US Ambassador to Abidjan Jessica Davis Ba, held talks with President Alassane Ouattara, as well as Chief of Staff Fidele Sarassoro, Secretary General of the Presidency Massere Toure-Kone, Interior and Security Minister Vagondo Diomande and Ivorian Army Chief of Staff Lassina Doumbia.

“Soldiers will be stationed at the base, as well as the latest equipment, namely drones. The CIA is already actively liaising with the Ivorians in the field of intelligence, particularly with the Centre for Anti-Terrorist Operational Intelligence,” the magazine reports.

Earlier in January, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Angola, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast and Nigeria. He said in Abidjan that the US would earmark $45m to ensure stability in West Africa. According to a statement on AFRICOM’s website, Washington will allocate over $65m this year alone to fight terrorism and ensure border security in northern Ivory Coast, where the country borders Burkina Faso.