Episode 294: Zut Alors! What is up in West Africa?

Today, Jess, Morgan, and Les discuss recent shake-ups in West Africa. From Senegal postponing this month’s presidential election indefinitely, to Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso leaving the regional bloc ECOWAS, and the DoD backing away due to Congressional pressure from a planned training of troops from West African nations with coup governments and records of human rights abuses. 

Does the U.S. have a comprehensive foreign policy in Africa? Is Congress restricting the United States’ ability to compete with Russia in the region?  What role does France play in these shake-ups? Get the answer to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines!

Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/01/26/pentagon-military-training-human-rights/ 

https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20240206-senegal-s-democratic-record-on-the-line-as-presidential-vote-delay-sparks-political-crisis

https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20240202-with-ecowas-exit-mali-burkina-faso-and-niger-leave-democratic-transition-in-limbo

https://www.theafricareport.com/336073/moussa-mara-leaving-ecowas-is-going-against-the-march-of-history/

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@notTVJessJones

@lestermunson

@morganlroach

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