|
Last Year the US Sent Two Vessels the USS Fort McHenry and
the Coast Guard Cutter USS Dallas. The Mission was considered to be a success.
This Year the US is Sending Another Warship to the Region.
In Recent Weeks the US Military along with 14 other Allies Concluded FLINTLOCK 09. This
is a Counter Terrorism Exercise that falls under the Auspices of the Trans Sahara Counter Terrorism Program.
The Area is of Vital Concern for the US for Several Reasons.
One Quarter of the Oil Imported by the US Comes from the Region.
Al-Qaida is seeking a Foothold in the Region and both Drug and Human Trafficking are
becoming Major Problems.
Once Again The African Partnership Station will Visit this Part of Africa.
One of the Potential Hot Spots now is currently the Ivory Coast.
Elections that were scheduled for November 30th were Postponed. The Internal Climate within the Country is not very promising.
There are Problems within the Unified Army. There was a Mutiny among those loyal to the President. Pay Disputes are another
Problem.
The Situation within both the Niger Delta and the Neighboring Bakissa Peninsula
continues to Simmer. There was Fighting in Northern Nigeria between Muslims and Christians to begin the Month of December
as well.
The Narcotics Problem in West Africa may have had a Role in the Recent Coup
Attempt in Guniea-Bissau as well. Tensions within Neighboring Gambia could be a Source of Concern After the First of the Year
as well.
Although it is Highly Reported Off the Horn of Africa there is Piracy Occuring
in the Gulf as well.
This is a Situation where Time will Provide the Best Outcome
|
