Following approval of the Côte d’Ivoire government for the United States to have its military base in Odienné as part of its efforts to shift its strategic focus in West Africa, particularly over the tensions with Niger, citizens of the country have expressed serious concern over the development.
It will be recalled that countries within the region, such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, which now form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), had earlier expressed concern over the development as they expressed concerns about the implications.
Though Côte d’Ivoire’s government had justified its actions, noting that it was a significant move to bolster U.S. presence and influence in the region. The development, according to reports, will likely reflect both strategic interests and efforts to counteract growing geopolitical competition in Africa.
It was gathered that the specifics of the base’s operational details, including personnel and mission objectives, are still under wraps, but the development highlights the evolving nature of U.S. military and diplomatic engagement in West Africa.
However, the possibility of a US military deployment in an African country has provoked much debate among political opponents and residents alike.
It was gathered that some people in Abidjan have questioned the reasons for a foreign military presence in a country that is not prone to attacks by armed groups.
Speaking with newsmen on the streets of Abidjan, an anonymous concerned citizen, said, “Military bases are being set up all over the world. What purpose will they serve? It’s not normal that all the Western countries come and set up military bases on our territory while we don’t have the possibility of setting up our military bases on their territory.”
“Our Heads of State will have to explain to us why Western military bases are being set up in Côte d’Ivoire,” the Ivorian citizen and psychologist in education, added.
Another resident of the Ivorian capital is also against the presence of the US military in the country. “I’m particularly against the idea of a new foreign base in Côte d’Ivoire. It raises concerns. All the countries in which these bases are set up are already losing part of their sovereignty.
“They are not going to depend on our Minister of Defence, they depend directly on where they come from,” the Justice Commissioner added.
Local residents also expressed worry that the deployment of the US military base also raises concerns among political parties that were not involved in the decision-making process.
It will be recalled that the Guillaume Soro party recently denounced the lack of transparency in which the negotiations with Washington were taking place.
“We note with regret that the Ivorian government persists in pursuing covert negotiations for the establishment of the future American base in Odienné, which undermines national and sub-regional security as well as the sovereignty of our country,” stated the denounced Guillaume Soro party.
However, the Côte d’Ivoire government had hinted that the United States aimed to maintain control over the region, given the failure of its policy in Niger.
Meanwhile, the government of Niamey has stated that the American military presence has had no tangible benefit, and the security situation has only continued to deteriorate and that it remains to be seen what makes Alassane Ouattara believe that history will not repeat itself in Côte d’Ivoire.
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