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Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: WEST AFRICA SECURITY TRAINING
HEADLINE: International Community Trains Ivorian Forces in Preparation for Terror Threat
TEASER: U.S. and France say encroaching terror groups from neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso will be difficult to contain
PUBLISHED AT: 03/21/2022 at 6:20 pm
BYLINE: Henry Wilkins
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Abidjan, Ivory Coast
VIDEOGRAPHER: Henry Wilkins
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: LR, Bowman
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 3:30
VID APPROVED BY: mia
TYPE:
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO))
[[While much of the world is focused on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, analysts warn that nations should not ignore Islamist militants, who are increasing attacks in Africa's Sahel region and spreading to West Africa's coastal states. French security forces are helping by training the region's militaries for an effective response, as Henry Wilkins reports from Abidjan, Ivory Coast. ]]
((VIDEO-VOA: FRENCH AND IVORIAN TROOPS TRAINING TOGETHER - various))
((NARRATOR))
On the Ébrié lagoon that stretches through the center of Ivory Coast’s main city, Abidjan, Ivorian and French forces are preparing to face a growing threat. Since 2020, terror groups linked to Islamic State and al-Qaida have carried out attacks against Ivorian forces.
One Ivorian commando, who declined to give his surname, says the threat is real and they are preparing to face it in every way possible.
((William, Ivorian Commando – IN ENGLISH))
“In Ivory Coast we are really, really focused on terrorism, because in the north part of our country, we are facing terrorism, so we’re talking about sea, air and land. That’s why we are here.”
((VIDEO-VOA: FRENCH AND IVORIAN TROOPS TRAINING TOGETHER - various, ESTABLISHING SHOTS OF METTEY - various))
((NARRATOR))
Security analysts say terrorism is spreading to the north of coastal states like Ivory Coast, Ghana, Benin and Togo - the next phase in the western Sahel’s decadelong conflict.
Large parts of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are experiencing daily attacks targeting military and civilians alike.
Since 2020, there have been 17 incidents in the north of Ivory Coast linked to al-Qaida-affiliated groups, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, including gun battles and roadside bombs.
Ivory Coast has sent large numbers of troops to the north in response to these.
Asked if terror groups have already coopted local populations in Ivory Coast, the commander of French forces in the country, ((RADIO VERSION: Colonel Arnaud Mettley )) told VOA:
((Col. Arnaud Mettey, Commander of French Forces in Ivory Coast ))
“For the moment, we think that the local population does not cooperate with the jihadist groups, because there is a strong answer from the Ivorian armed forces… but it’s really, it’s a real concern for us.”
((VIDEO-VOA: ESTABLISHING SHOTS OF METTEY - various))
((NARRATOR))
Asked if the terrorist threat spreading from Burkina Faso is preventable, the colonel said…
((Colonel Arnaud Mettey, Commander of French Forces in Ivory Coast – IN ENGLISH))
“We think it’s preventable. We cannot prevent the threat going to the south, but we can succeed in fighting this threat.”
((VIDEO-VOA: FRENCH AND IVORIAN TROOPS TRAINING TOGETHER - various))
((NARRATOR))
The United States last month carried out Flintlock, an exercise to promote cooperation among regional, NATO and U.S. forces, in Ivory Coast for the first time. ((RADIO VERSION: Richard K. Bell,)) The U.S. ambassador to Ivory Coast said a sustained effort will be needed against terror groups spreading in the north.
((Richard K. Bell, US Ambassador to Ivory Coast IN ENGLISH))
“I think the nature of this threat makes it very difficult to eliminate it entirely. I think it can be contained at a really low level. And I believe that the key to success is the support of the population.”
((VIDEO-VOA: FRENCH AND IVORIAN TROOPS TRAINING TOGETHER - various))
((NARRATOR))
Analysts say a military response by itself will not be enough.
((RADIO VERSION: Geoffroy-Julien Kouao is an associate researcher at the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, a research organization in Germany.))
((Geoffroy-Julien Kouao, Friedrich Naumann Foundation MALE IN FRENCH))
“These are poorly developed areas, where there are glaring social problems. Not enough schools, not enough water supply, not enough electricity, not enough jobs for the youth. So, the [terror groups] will exploit these social deficiencies to recruit young people.”
((VIDEO-VOA: FRENCH AND IVORIAN TROOPS TRAINING TOGETHER - various))
((NARRATOR))
Asked if he had a message for terror groups operating in Ivory Coast, Lieutenant William, the Ivorian commando, said…
((William, Ivorian Commando – IN ENGLISH))
“I don’t have any particular message for them, but I’m just ready for them.”
((VIDEO-VOA: FRENCH AND IVORIAN TROOPS TRAINING TOGETHER - various))
((NARRATOR))
Efforts to boost that readiness are continuing.
((Henry Wilkins, for VOA News, Abidjan, Ivory Coast))
NewsML Media TopicsConflict, War and Peace
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateMarch 21, 2022 18:32 EDT
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
