BLINKEN AFRICA SECURITY -- {WEB}
Metadata
- BLINKEN AFRICA SECURITY -- {WEB}
- March 16, 2023
- Content Type Package
- Language English
- Transcript/Script Blinken-Africa Security HEADLINE: Blinken Announces Aid for Niger and Its Neighbors TEASER: Secretary of State Antony Blinken, whose visit is first to country by top US diplomat, praises it for taking in refugees PUBLISHED AT: (3/16/23 & TIME) BYLINE: Cindy Saine CONTRIBUTOR: DATELINE: VIDEOGRAPHER: PRODUCER: SCRIPT EDITORS: Reifenrath, Holly Franko VIDEO SOURCE (S): Saine Skype Video interviews, MRT, AFP, Reuters, AP PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __ TRT: VID APPROVED BY: TYPE: TVPKG EDITOR NOTES: )) ((INTRO)) [[Secretary of State Antony Blinken is the first top U.S. diplomat to visit Niger, as the West African country has emerged as a crucial security base for Western countries seeking to counter terrorist groups in the Sahel region. VOA's Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine reports.]] ((Video: AFP V000_33AV3YH SLUGCORRECTION - RAW - NIGERIA - DEATH - TERRORISM - BOKO HARAM Creation date 3/9/2023 City/Country MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA: ((NARRATOR)) Terrorist organizations like Boko Haram and Islamic State and branches of al-Qaida continue to pose a threat to Niger and governments across sub-Saharan Africa. This is the aftermath of an attack last week in neighboring Nigeria, where militants in Borno state killed at least 37 fishermen. ((Video: AP Video ID; 4424563: Blinken de-boarding his plane in Niger, waving, shaking hands with Niger’s FM)) Amid regional security concerns, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken chose to visit Niger. In a joint news conference with his Nigerien counterpart in Niamey, Blinken announced nearly 150 million dollars in humanitarian assistance to help meet the tremendous need in Western and Central Africa and the Sahel created by regional instability. Blinken had this to say on the scourge of extremist violence. ((Video: MRT Blinken clip from feeds: TC-starting about 50 seconds after Blinken began his opening remarks)) ((Antony Blinken, Secretary of State)) “We are also investing in the long-term security of Niger, investments that you heard the minister refer to, to help make Niger’s law enforcement more effective in combating terrorism, strengthening border security, enhancing counternarcotics capacity, stemming trafficking, and help[ing?] to investigate, prosecute and ultimately reduce terrorism and violent extremism.” ((Video: AP Video ID: 4424626-B-roll -wide shot of Blinken with his Nigerien host - [sorry I could not find other Niger B-roll!])) ((NARRATOR)) During the visit, Blinken highlighted Niger’s democratic government and its efforts to help its young people break free from the pull of extremist groups. One expert told VOA he was not surprised that Blinken decided to visit Niger after his visit to Ethiopia. ((Video: Joseph Siegle SOT: https://app.frame.io/player/3b232c21-8a18-4fc1-bcf6-e8d003da4819 TC: TC: 00:15:28 - 0:16:04)) [[Radio Intro: Joseph Siegle is Director of Research at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, National Defense University. He spoke to VOA via Skype.]] ((Joseph Siegle, Africa Center for Strategic Studies)) ((Skype)) “Again, Niger is a lynchpin right now towards stability in the Sahel, and it has done significantly better than its neighbors. It has a more democratic government. Remember that in Mali and Burkina Faso, we’ve seen military coups, and so you have great governance turmoil in those countries. Niger is an island of stability in comparison.” ((Video: AFP V000_333P2PP SLUG RAW - FEATURE - NIGER - HEALTH - GOVERNMENT Creation date 12/15/2022: dirt roads leading a remote health clinic in a mountainous region, 2. Mid shot ambulance rides over hill in mountains of Iferouāne 3. Wide shot ambulance crosses mountains and dirt road from Iferouāne to reach Souloufeta health centre 4. Mid shot ambulance crosses wadi with dirt road, 13. Mid shot Tchimaden Tafa enters health centre 14. Mid shot Tchimaden Tafa enters health centre to start daily consultations 15. Mid shot Tchimaden Tafa joins patient suffering from malaria)) ((NARRATOR)) Niger is one of the world’s poorest countries and desperately needs more humanitarian aid to help nurses — like this one in the remote northern village of Souloufeta — who have no equipment and no drugs to treat patients. Blinken said the new fund for Central Africa will provide for shelter, food, safe drinking water and sanitation while also supporting vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers evacuated to Niger from neighboring countries. Blinken praised the people of Niger’s generosity for taking in refugees. Cindy Saine, VOA News
- NewsML Media Topics Arts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
- Network VOA
- Embargo Date March 16, 2023 19:07 EDT
- Byline BLINKEN AFRICA SECURITY HEADLINE: Blinken Announces Aid for Niger and Its Neighbors TEASER: Secretary of State Antony Blinken, whose visit is first to country by top US diplomat, praises it for taking in refugees PUBLISHED AT: (3/16/23 & 7:20p) BYLINE: Cindy Saine CONTRIBUTOR: DATELINE: VIDEOGRAPHER: PRODUCER: SCRIPT EDITORS: Reifenrath, Holly Franko VIDEO SOURCE (S): Saine Skype Video interviews, MRT, AFP, Reuters, AP PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __ TRT: 2:48 VID APPROVED BY: Reifenrath TYPE: TVPKG EDITOR NOTES: )) ((INTRO)) [[Secretary of State Antony Blinken is the first top U.S. diplomat to visit Niger, as the West African country has emerged as a crucial security base for Western countries seeking to counter terrorist groups in the Sahel region. VOA's Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine reports.]] ((NARRATOR)) Terrorist organizations like Boko Haram and Islamic State and branches of al-Qaida continue to pose a threat to Niger and governments across sub-Saharan Africa. This is the aftermath of an attack last week in neighboring Nigeria, where militants in Borno state killed at least 37 fishermen. Amid regional security concerns, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken chose to visit Niger. In a joint news conference with his Nigerien counterpart in Niamey, Blinken announced nearly 150 million dollars in humanitarian assistance to help meet the tremendous need in Western and Central Africa and the Sahel created by regional instability. Blinken had this to say on the scourge of extremist violence. ((Antony Blinken, Secretary of State)) “We are also supporting investments in the long-term security of Niger, investments that you heard the minister refer to, to help make Niger’s law enforcement more effective in combating terrorism, strengthening border security, enhancing counternarcotics capacity, stemming trafficking, helping to investigate, prosecute and ultimately reduce terrorism, violent extremism.” ((NARRATOR)) During the visit, Blinken highlighted Niger’s democratic government and its efforts to help its young people break free from the pull of extremist groups. One expert told VOA he was not surprised that Blinken had decided to visit Niger after his visit to Ethiopia. [[Radio Intro: Joseph Siegle is Director of Research at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, National Defense University. He spoke to VOA via Skype.]] ((Joseph Siegle, Africa Center for Strategic Studies)) ((Skype)) “Again, Niger is a lynchpin right now towards the stability in the Sahel, and it has done significantly better than its neighbors. It has a more democratic government. Remember that in Mali and Burkina Faso, we’ve seen military coups, and so you have great governance turmoil in those countries. Niger is an island of stability in comparison.” ((NARRATOR)) Niger is one of the world’s poorest countries and desperately needs more humanitarian aid to help nurses — like this one in the remote northern village of Souloufeta — who have no equipment and no drugs to treat patients. Blinken said the new fund for Central Africa will provide for shelter, food, safe drinking water and sanitation while also supporting vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers evacuated to Niger from neighboring countries. Blinken praised the people of Niger’s generosity for taking in refugees. Cindy Saine, VOA News
- Brand / Language Service Voice of America - English