State security officials have announced that the United States is planning to provide long-term assistance to Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, and Togo as they face the threat of jihadist violence spreading from the Sahel to the coastal regions of West Africa.

State security officials have stated that the US is planning to provide long-term assistance to Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, and Togo to prevent the extension of jihadist violence from the Sahel to the coastal regions of West Africa.

The officials also noted the importance of Western support to prevent the progress of mercenaries from the Russian private security company Wagner in Sahel countries.

US Vice President Kamala Harris pledged $100 million over 10 years during her visit to Ghana in March to build resilience in coastal Africa.

The State Department is seeking additional funding, including through the counterterrorism budget, and is assessing the needs of the region.

While officials believe that violence may overflow from the north into the Sahelian strip, they also acknowledge that local factors and competition for resources worsened by climate change could fuel instability.

The US aims to help governments with a holistic approach and good governance to address problems in the north.