NEW YORK, August 5 (RIA Novosti) – This week’s US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington is part of a growing American effort to increase its military presence and counter al-Qaeda-linked militants in Africa, analyst Scott Firsing told RIA Novosti.
“With the presence of al-Qaeda in Africa, there is too much at stake for the US to ignore the continent and Washington is expanding its footprint there. The US is expected to have a large presence at a South African air show in September,” said Firsing, from the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA).
“Many Africans were originally concerned about the US presence, but a lot have realized that they need assistance to counter these new and evolving threats from extremists. It remains controversial, but US forces are on the continent with the permission of African leaders,” he said.
The August 4-6 summit has seen nearly 50 African leaders meet in Washington for talks on trade on a resource-rich continent that has become a destination for much European and Chinese investment.
Speaking at West Point military academy in May, US President Barack Obama announced plans for a $5 billion fund to support countries in the Middle East, Africa and Asia with equipment and training to fight terrorism.
The US has expanded Camp Lemonnier, a US military base in Djibouti, as a launch site for Predator drones. It has military advisors helping tackle guerrillas in Uganda and Islamist militants in Somalia, Nigeria and the Maghreb.
