US rethinking on military support to Africa

Washington: The United States is reconsidering military role and assistance in Africa in view of the recent terror attacks on American citizens in North African countries like Mali and Algeria.

According to White House officials and Africa analysts, there may be a rise in Islamic extremism that would weaken the local governments, because of a direct US role in the continent, the Wall Street Journal reports. Washington`s proposed decision comes on the heels of the abduction of Western hostages, Americans included, in Algeria, followed by the terrorist attack on the US consulate in Libya, where four Americans, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens were killed. According to American military officials, the terrorist group al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in northern Mali, also active in Libya, Morocco, and Algeria, has grown more dangerous more quickly than many assumed several years ago. Somalia is also in danger of an increase in terror activities because of renewed diplomatic relations with the US, which helped weaken the Islamic extremist group, al-Shabaab, through training and financial assistance, according to US officials. Congressman Mike Rogers, the chairman of the White House Intelligence Committee, said that a cohesive administration approach to pressurise al Qaeda and Islamist militants across Africa is missing. ANI