The funds pledge, which must now be discussed with Congress, will bolster the U.S.’s regional partners in their fight against Islamic State and other terrorist networks, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in the statement. To that end, pending consultation with Congress, the United States is today pledging up to $60 million dollars to support the G5 Sahel Joint Force’s counterterrorism efforts. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the USA is pledging up to $60 million to support a task force of African nations that will address terrorism and organized crime in the Sahel region. A State Department spokesperson told CNN the funding is being provided as bilateral assistance, rather than through the United Nations, which USA officials previously indicated they wanted to avoid. Along with Islamic State, several al-Qaida-linked groups operate in the Sahel region, including al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and Nigeria-based Boko Haram.

Source: GNN Liberia October 31, 2017 06:11 UTC