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this hearing will come to order . Let 

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me thank our witnesses for joining us 

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today to discuss the turmoil and 

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instability , plaguing the hell . While 

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the region may not often make front 

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page news , millions of people continue 

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to face threats from militaries that 

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are supposed to protect them ethnically 

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based militias and dire food insecurity . 

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These threats had displaced 2.4 million 

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people in the Central Sahel by this May , 

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and more than 30 million people in the 

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Sahel will need life saving assistance 

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and protection this year . Nearly two 

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million more than last year , according 

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to the U . N . Coordinator for 

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humanitarian affairs . Unfortunately , 

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some of the militaries in the subregion 

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militaries , which we trained and 

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equipped by the way , have contributed 

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to the problem . Instead of being a 

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stabilizing force , they have 

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undertaken coups in Burkina , faso chad 

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mali and attempted one in 

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and particularly in mali . The military 

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has committed gross human rights abuses 

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in the course of counterterrorism 

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operations , with little to no 

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accountability . Making matters worse , 

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Russia has established a foothold in 

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mali through the Wagner group and is 

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also involved in human rights 

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violations , including extrajudicial 

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killings of civilians . In the wake of 

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the coup and chad , the junta fired 

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live ammunition at peaceful protesters , 

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killing seven , wounding dozens more . 

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And it has yet to commit to the 

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transition timeline . The African Union 

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articulated a year ago for two decades , 

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the United States and our partners have 

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spent billions of dollars to aid 

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stability efforts by supporting 

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military operations against terrorist 

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actors and by strengthening the 

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military capacity of countries in the 

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Sahel to counter the threat of violent 

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extremists . Successive administrations 

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have used both State and Defense 

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Department programs to provide 

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equipment and trained militaries 

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including deploying U . S . Forces to 

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assist African soldiers at the 

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devastating cost of american lives . 

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All of us remember the tragic deaths of 

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four American special operations 

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soldiers who were killed in Nigeria In 

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2017 when they were ambushed by 

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militants belonging to the Islamic 

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state in the Greater Sahara and our 

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partners have suffered casualties as 

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well . Scores of soldiers from mali 

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Nigeria , Burkina Faso chad and France 

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have deployed in successive operations 

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and have lost their lives . The U . N . 

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Peacekeeping mission in Mali is the 

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deadliest in the world . Just last 

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month , two more peacekeepers were 

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killed by an improvised explosive . And 

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despite all of our efforts we have 

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little positive to show . In 

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2019 , the head of Special operations 

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in Africa , General Marcus Hicks told 

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voice of America with regards to the 

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fight against terrorism in the Sahel . 

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And I quote , I would tell you at this 

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time , we are not winning clearly , the 

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situation has only deteriorated and 

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while we invested billions in the 

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security sector , our diplomatic and 

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development efforts have been undercut 

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by a lack of resources and presence , 

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significant staffing shortages at our 

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embassies and lack of a robust U . S . 

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A . I . D . Presence in the Sahel are 

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limiting our ability to balance our 

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security programs with tackling the 

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root causes of extremism in the Sahel . 

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I appreciate the engagement from the 

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administration with regards to the 

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requirement to consult with this 

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committee on that strategy and in the 

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wake of this hearing , I and other 

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members will provide you with feedback 

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on your approach . Yesterday I 

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introduced a resolution calling for a 

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democratic transition in the Republic 

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of chad . It demands General Dubie 

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release those arrested during the 

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protest of spring . It supports the 

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African Union's push to organize 

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elections by October 22 . It calls on 

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the military junta to abide by the 

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African Union's transition timeline and 

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it asked the Secretary of State to 

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identify coup leaders and their 

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accomplices in order to target them 

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with visa restrictions and financial 

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sanctions . In addition to this , in 

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March , Congress passed the trans 

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Sahara counterterrorism Partnership 

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program Act 2021 which I sponsored in 

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the Senate . This legislation aims to 

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ensure that we have a strategy to 

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address the political governance and 

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development challenges in north and 

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west Africa Today's hearing excuse me . 

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I expect our witnesses to share their 

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frank assessments of whether the US 

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approach over the years have yielded 

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the results that we expect them and if 

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not , what do we need to change with 

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that ? Let me turn to the ranking 

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member , both of the on the 

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subcommittee and for this hearing . 

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Senator rounds . Thank you Mr Chairman . 

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It is a pleasure to serve as the 

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ranking member for this hearing on US 

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policy towards the hill . This topic is 

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an important one and I appreciate the 

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chairman prioritizing it for a full 

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committee hearing today . It is also 

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good to see that we have essential 

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leaders working on Africa policy for D . 

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O . D . State and U . S . Aid to have 

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this critical discussion . During this 

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hearing , we have a lot to cover 

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regarding the myriad challenges to 

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regional security and development in 

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the city including many vital issues 

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creating a humanitarian crisis and 

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impacting us national security . The 

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seal has been a region of significant 

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insecurity and underdevelopment for 

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decades owing to a profound lack of 

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development . is ranked last on the U.N . 

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Human Development Index Mali Chad and 

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Burkina Faso also feature in the bottom 

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10 . The people of the Sea Hill are 

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among the poorest in the world and face 

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acute hardships from desert terrain 

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isolation and an increasing threat from 

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violent extremist groups affiliated 

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with Al Qaeda and the Islamic State . I 

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am concerned that US foreign policy 

156
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towards the seal has been challenged to 

157
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keep pace with the threat or level of 

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need deficits in our policy and 

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approach and those of our allies seem 

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to have allowed the situation in the 

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Sahel to worsen . Despite the initial 

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success of France's military 

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intervention in Mali in 2013 , these 

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violent extremist groups have only 

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grown in capacity and expanded their 

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areas of control , such as they now 

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directly threaten our partners south of 

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the Seal , on the west or on the coast 

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of West Africa . I am concerned Africa 

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has not received the U . S . Diplomatic 

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focus . It deserves Congress continues 

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to follow closely the wave of military 

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coup that have affected sub Saharan 

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Africa in the last two years . The 

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majority of these recent coups have 

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occurred in the same deal . I look 

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forward to hearing about the 

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administration's assessment of what is 

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driving these coups and how its plans 

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to address them in a manner that 

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promotes our interests while working 

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behind the scenes with these regimes to 

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promote our interests and values . In 

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this context , molly is worthy of 

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emphasis . I look forward to a clear 

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vision from the administration about 

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how to enable the U . N . Peacekeeping 

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operation in mali to make a positive 

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contribution to regional stability and 

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not just soak up resources . The 

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entrance of the Russia backed Wagner 

192
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group in mali last year and the 

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subsequent hasty withdrawal of french 

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troops only compound the challenges 

195
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faced by the US and our european allies 

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in the region . Concurrently , these 

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developments create an opportunity for 

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a renewed US focus on which has been 

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for some time the most promising 

200
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partner in the region for the United 

201
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States . Two weeks ago , the NSC shared 

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the biden administration strategy on 

203
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this hill with this committee . The 

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strategy reflects the biden 

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administration's aspirational view of 

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its plans to approach the region . It 

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will hopefully drive important policy 

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and resource discussions that need to 

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occur . While the inter agency approval 

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and rollout of the seal strategy is a 

211
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welcome development . I look forward to 

212
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the administration's ability to 

213
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implement such a strategy . My concerns 

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focus on two main areas . First is 

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concerning regarding interagency 

216
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coordination to implement the strategy , 

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including vital coordination between 

218
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the State Department and Department of 

219
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Defense and second , the personnel 

220
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deficit at many State Department posts 

221
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across the seal , we must 

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place qualified personnel with 

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professional experience working on 

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african policy uh and and issues 

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critical in Africa in the same hell . 

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If it is indeed a region of strategic 

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priority , senior leaders at our 

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diplomatic post in the seal should have 

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essential qualifications , the least of 

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which should be previous Africa 

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experience and the ability to speak 

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french for junior level positions . The 

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State Department urgently urgently 

234
00:08:58,804 --> 00:09:00,860
needs to figure out creative ways to 

235
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incentivize service in this complex 

236
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part of Africa in the event that this 

237
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requires additional resources . I look 

238
00:09:09,470 --> 00:09:11,610
forward to the inter agency providing 

239
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these need requests to Congress . 

240
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We have built up a great deal of 

241
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goodwill through security cooperation 

242
00:09:20,251 --> 00:09:23,510
and programs like Pepfar . However , it 

243
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is increasingly clear in this renewed 

244
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age of strategic competition that what 

245
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we have been doing in the past may not 

246
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be enough losing influence in Africa to 

247
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authoritarian competitors , whether 

248
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their origin is African or from outside 

249
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of the continent has increased the 

250
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likelihood that if we do not give our 

251
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Africa policy , the resources it 

252
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deserves . We will lose influence to 

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these competitors . Finally , I would 

254
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be interested to hear your thoughts on 

255
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whether the ways the State Department 

256
00:09:53,678 --> 00:09:55,400
and D . O . D . Have organized 

257
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themselves on Africa policy optimally 

258
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supports us diplomatic and security 

259
00:10:00,360 --> 00:10:04,180
objectives In particular . I am curious 

260
00:10:04,480 --> 00:10:06,420
as to how the decision to depose 

261
00:10:06,420 --> 00:10:09,750
Libya's Moammar Gaddafi in 2011 may 

262
00:10:09,750 --> 00:10:11,694
have played a role in sparking the 

263
00:10:11,694 --> 00:10:14,330
negative unintended consequences for 

264
00:10:14,330 --> 00:10:16,386
the cell hell that we are discussing 

265
00:10:16,386 --> 00:10:18,990
today . My interest stems from the fact 

266
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that Libya was located within the State 

267
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Department's Bureau of Near Eastern 

268
00:10:23,212 --> 00:10:26,140
Affairs while Seal Policy was governed 

269
00:10:26,140 --> 00:10:28,029
by the State Department Bureau of 

270
00:10:28,029 --> 00:10:30,840
African Affairs . Meanwhile , the 

271
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African Union included all of Africa 

272
00:10:33,570 --> 00:10:36,570
within its mandate and africom included 

273
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all of Africa . Except for Egypt with 

274
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an eye towards the future . I am 

275
00:10:42,113 --> 00:10:44,336
interested in how these differences may 

276
00:10:44,336 --> 00:10:46,460
have impeded information flows and 

277
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policy coordination for the sale . I 

278
00:10:50,310 --> 00:10:52,477
look forward to today's conversation . 

279
00:10:52,720 --> 00:10:55,000
Thank you . Mr Chairman , thank you . 

280
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Senator rounds with us today on behalf 

281
00:10:57,570 --> 00:10:59,570
of the administration as Ambassador 

282
00:10:59,570 --> 00:11:01,737
mali fi . Assistant Secretary of State 

283
00:11:01,737 --> 00:11:03,959
for African Affairs . Ambassador fee is 

284
00:11:03,959 --> 00:11:06,070
a career member of the Senior Foreign 

285
00:11:06,070 --> 00:11:08,292
service who most recently served as the 

286
00:11:08,292 --> 00:11:08,150
Deputy Special Representative for 

287
00:11:08,150 --> 00:11:10,900
Afghanistan reconciliation . Ambassador 

288
00:11:10,900 --> 00:11:12,900
fee was U . S . Ambassador to South 

289
00:11:12,900 --> 00:11:15,220
Sudan from 2015 to 17 . Deputy Chief of 

290
00:11:15,220 --> 00:11:17,109
Mission of the U . S . Embassy in 

291
00:11:17,109 --> 00:11:19,220
Ethiopia and as Chief of Staff in the 

292
00:11:19,220 --> 00:11:21,331
office of the Special Envoy for Sudan 

293
00:11:21,331 --> 00:11:23,109
and South Sudan . Um So she has 

294
00:11:23,109 --> 00:11:25,220
extensive experience in this regard . 

295
00:11:25,220 --> 00:11:27,530
Mr robert Jenkins serves as assistant 

296
00:11:27,530 --> 00:11:29,752
to the administrator for the Bureau for 

297
00:11:29,752 --> 00:11:31,974
Conflict Prevention and stabilization . 

298
00:11:31,974 --> 00:11:34,197
A career member of the senior Executive 

299
00:11:34,197 --> 00:11:36,308
service , Mr Jenkins was previously a 

300
00:11:36,308 --> 00:11:38,474
Deputy Assistant Administrator for the 

301
00:11:38,474 --> 00:11:40,474
Bureau for Democracy , Conflict and 

302
00:11:40,474 --> 00:11:42,252
humanitarian Assistance and the 

303
00:11:42,252 --> 00:11:44,252
director of U . S . A . I . D . S . 

304
00:11:44,252 --> 00:11:44,020
Office of transition initiatives . 

305
00:11:44,320 --> 00:11:47,090
Prior to joining us A I . D . In 1998 

306
00:11:47,090 --> 00:11:49,090
Mr Jenkins designed and implemented 

307
00:11:49,090 --> 00:11:51,350
emergency relief and recovery programs 

308
00:11:51,350 --> 00:11:53,294
with World Vision International in 

309
00:11:53,294 --> 00:11:55,620
Southern Sudan and Sierra Leone . Our 

310
00:11:55,620 --> 00:11:58,570
final witness today is uh Miss uh Cd 

311
00:11:58,580 --> 00:12:00,980
Blyden , Deputy Assistant Secretary of 

312
00:12:00,980 --> 00:12:02,924
Defense for African Affairs . Miss 

313
00:12:02,924 --> 00:12:04,702
Blyden is an expert in Africa's 

314
00:12:04,702 --> 00:12:07,036
conflicts , security development issues . 

315
00:12:07,036 --> 00:12:09,202
She served in the Obama administration 

316
00:12:09,202 --> 00:12:11,258
as a special assistant to the Deputy 

317
00:12:11,258 --> 00:12:13,202
Assistant Secretary of Defense for 

318
00:12:13,202 --> 00:12:15,202
African Affairs in 2013 to 17 . She 

319
00:12:15,202 --> 00:12:17,424
managed several functional and regional 

320
00:12:17,424 --> 00:12:19,702
responsibilities , including US Africa . 

321
00:12:19,702 --> 00:12:21,647
Defense Policy for Eastern Central 

322
00:12:21,647 --> 00:12:23,258
Africa served as the African 

323
00:12:23,258 --> 00:12:25,369
peacekeeping advisor to the stability 

324
00:12:25,369 --> 00:12:27,536
of humanitarian affairs office and was 

325
00:12:27,536 --> 00:12:27,500
the department's lead on the 

326
00:12:27,500 --> 00:12:29,640
President's Africa peacekeeping Rapid 

327
00:12:29,640 --> 00:12:31,940
Response partnership initiative . So 

328
00:12:31,940 --> 00:12:34,540
again , welcome to all of you , we'd 

329
00:12:34,540 --> 00:12:37,460
ask you to um um 

330
00:12:37,940 --> 00:12:40,580
to summarize your , your full 

331
00:12:40,580 --> 00:12:42,580
statements will be included for the 

332
00:12:42,580 --> 00:12:44,636
record without objection , would ask 

333
00:12:44,636 --> 00:12:46,636
you to summarize them in about five 

334
00:12:46,636 --> 00:12:48,469
minutes so the committee and its 

335
00:12:48,469 --> 00:12:50,524
members can have a conversation with 

336
00:12:50,524 --> 00:12:52,636
you on these issues . Um we thank you 

337
00:12:52,636 --> 00:12:54,691
for your service and we ask that you 

338
00:12:54,691 --> 00:12:56,802
proceed with your testimony is in the 

339
00:12:56,802 --> 00:12:56,790
order in which I introduced you . So 

340
00:12:56,790 --> 00:13:00,510
ambassador field start . Thank you . Mr . 

341
00:13:00,510 --> 00:13:02,520
Chairman , Senator rounds and other 

342
00:13:02,520 --> 00:13:04,742
colleagues of the committee . I want to 

343
00:13:04,742 --> 00:13:06,742
start by thanking you for your long 

344
00:13:06,742 --> 00:13:08,964
standing interest and engagement in the 

345
00:13:08,964 --> 00:13:11,330
Sahel instability in the Sahel is a 

346
00:13:11,330 --> 00:13:13,386
security problem with the governance 

347
00:13:13,386 --> 00:13:15,850
solution . A decade of a security 

348
00:13:15,850 --> 00:13:17,961
focused approach has underscored this 

349
00:13:17,961 --> 00:13:19,906
lesson as armed groups continue to 

350
00:13:19,906 --> 00:13:22,072
expand their presence and capabilities 

351
00:13:22,072 --> 00:13:23,850
despite french counterterrorism 

352
00:13:23,850 --> 00:13:25,794
operations and significant Western 

353
00:13:25,794 --> 00:13:27,572
investments in African national 

354
00:13:27,572 --> 00:13:29,683
security capabilities . Mr Chairman , 

355
00:13:29,683 --> 00:13:31,406
you mentioned the trans Sahara 

356
00:13:31,406 --> 00:13:33,572
counterterrorism partnership program . 

357
00:13:33,572 --> 00:13:35,683
I think it's clear that that progress 

358
00:13:35,683 --> 00:13:37,739
to put it nicely has not been linear 

359
00:13:37,739 --> 00:13:39,850
and increasingly inadequate given the 

360
00:13:39,850 --> 00:13:42,072
expanding number of terrorist incidents 

361
00:13:42,072 --> 00:13:43,961
and civilian casualties . But our 

362
00:13:43,961 --> 00:13:45,850
efforts have afforded us numerous 

363
00:13:45,850 --> 00:13:47,850
lessons learned that we continue to 

364
00:13:47,850 --> 00:13:49,794
take into account as we revise our 

365
00:13:49,794 --> 00:13:51,794
approach to the saddle , as we have 

366
00:13:51,794 --> 00:13:53,572
found in the Middle East and in 

367
00:13:53,572 --> 00:13:55,628
southwest Asia . We must address the 

368
00:13:55,628 --> 00:13:57,628
underlying drivers of insecurity to 

369
00:13:57,628 --> 00:13:59,794
effectively support efforts by African 

370
00:13:59,794 --> 00:14:02,020
partners . To turn the tide first , we 

371
00:14:02,020 --> 00:14:04,090
must be realistic about the daunting 

372
00:14:04,100 --> 00:14:06,460
social , environmental , political and 

373
00:14:06,460 --> 00:14:08,700
economic conditions that overwhelm this 

374
00:14:08,700 --> 00:14:10,940
a hell . In order to contend with 

375
00:14:10,940 --> 00:14:13,107
violent extremist groups , governments 

376
00:14:13,107 --> 00:14:15,273
in the region must dramatically reform 

377
00:14:15,273 --> 00:14:17,580
and improve . We can best encourage 

378
00:14:17,580 --> 00:14:19,690
this required change by investing in 

379
00:14:19,690 --> 00:14:21,950
governance . The new inter agencies to 

380
00:14:21,950 --> 00:14:23,930
health strategy seeks to build the 

381
00:14:23,930 --> 00:14:26,370
capacity of governments in the Sahel to 

382
00:14:26,370 --> 00:14:28,037
provide equitable delivery of 

383
00:14:28,037 --> 00:14:29,960
government services and to adopt 

384
00:14:29,960 --> 00:14:32,016
measures to improve accountability , 

385
00:14:32,016 --> 00:14:34,300
anti corruption and dialogue between 

386
00:14:34,300 --> 00:14:36,356
capitals and the periphery and among 

387
00:14:36,356 --> 00:14:38,356
communities . These are the keys to 

388
00:14:38,356 --> 00:14:40,133
winning the support of civilian 

389
00:14:40,133 --> 00:14:42,356
populations . The five year strategy is 

390
00:14:42,356 --> 00:14:44,356
sufficiently broad to withstand the 

391
00:14:44,356 --> 00:14:46,578
blows of the kinds of crises and shifts 

392
00:14:46,578 --> 00:14:48,522
we've seen recently . It allows us 

393
00:14:48,522 --> 00:14:50,689
embassies the flexibility to implement 

394
00:14:50,689 --> 00:14:52,967
the greatest effect at the local level . 

395
00:14:53,240 --> 00:14:55,240
I tell you frankly , however , that 

396
00:14:55,240 --> 00:14:57,850
neither our African partners nor we 

397
00:14:57,860 --> 00:14:59,971
will transform the Sahel . Within the 

398
00:14:59,971 --> 00:15:02,193
first five years of this strategy , the 

399
00:15:02,193 --> 00:15:04,082
goals we have identified call for 

400
00:15:04,082 --> 00:15:06,138
action to promote fundamental policy 

401
00:15:06,138 --> 00:15:08,249
and governance reforms that will take 

402
00:15:08,249 --> 00:15:10,360
many years to undertake and implement 

403
00:15:10,540 --> 00:15:12,750
these are societal endeavors which by 

404
00:15:12,750 --> 00:15:15,080
their very nature are incremental . But 

405
00:15:15,080 --> 00:15:17,230
the reorientation explicit in this 

406
00:15:17,230 --> 00:15:19,230
strategy is an essential first step 

407
00:15:19,940 --> 00:15:22,107
recent extra constitutional changes of 

408
00:15:22,107 --> 00:15:23,884
government in three of the five 

409
00:15:23,884 --> 00:15:26,107
Sahelian countries have complicated the 

410
00:15:26,107 --> 00:15:28,162
task . We need greater investment in 

411
00:15:28,162 --> 00:15:30,384
democracy and governance programming as 

412
00:15:30,384 --> 00:15:32,384
well as more development assistance 

413
00:15:32,384 --> 00:15:34,218
that targets underlying social , 

414
00:15:34,218 --> 00:15:36,440
environmental and economic deficiencies 

415
00:15:37,040 --> 00:15:39,980
in mali We welcome the recent agreement 

416
00:15:39,980 --> 00:15:42,370
to a 24 month timeline between the 

417
00:15:42,370 --> 00:15:44,370
regional bloc known as ecowas , the 

418
00:15:44,370 --> 00:15:46,314
economic community of West african 

419
00:15:46,314 --> 00:15:48,481
states and the transition government . 

420
00:15:48,481 --> 00:15:50,650
We joined ecowas in insisting that the 

421
00:15:50,650 --> 00:15:52,761
transition government turned its full 

422
00:15:52,761 --> 00:15:54,872
attention to implementing the reforms 

423
00:15:54,872 --> 00:15:56,983
necessary to set molly on the path to 

424
00:15:56,983 --> 00:15:59,520
democracy . We stand ready to assist as 

425
00:15:59,520 --> 00:16:01,742
long as the transition government moves 

426
00:16:01,742 --> 00:16:03,964
towards a constitutional referendum and 

427
00:16:03,964 --> 00:16:05,798
elections As envisioned . We are 

428
00:16:05,798 --> 00:16:07,742
committed to the malian people and 

429
00:16:07,742 --> 00:16:09,520
their aspiration for responsive 

430
00:16:09,520 --> 00:16:11,576
democratic governance . We know that 

431
00:16:11,576 --> 00:16:13,742
malian people also want security . The 

432
00:16:13,742 --> 00:16:15,909
civilian casualties resulting from the 

433
00:16:15,909 --> 00:16:17,909
reported tactics used by the Wagner 

434
00:16:17,909 --> 00:16:20,020
Group alongside malian armed forces , 

435
00:16:20,020 --> 00:16:21,798
will only serve to show further 

436
00:16:21,798 --> 00:16:23,909
divisions in malian society undermine 

437
00:16:23,909 --> 00:16:26,020
the credibility of those armed forces 

438
00:16:26,020 --> 00:16:28,242
and drive communities into the hands of 

439
00:16:28,242 --> 00:16:30,076
violent extremists . The U . N . 

440
00:16:30,076 --> 00:16:32,298
Mission , known as Minusma , shares our 

441
00:16:32,298 --> 00:16:34,710
goal of protecting civilians . We will 

442
00:16:34,710 --> 00:16:36,654
be watching closely to see how the 

443
00:16:36,654 --> 00:16:38,432
mission operates without french 

444
00:16:38,432 --> 00:16:40,599
reassurance flights from Operation Bar 

445
00:16:40,599 --> 00:16:43,100
Con . We are also welcomed the review 

446
00:16:43,100 --> 00:16:45,440
envisioned in the new mandate to see 

447
00:16:45,440 --> 00:16:47,440
how we can strengthen the mission's 

448
00:16:47,440 --> 00:16:50,390
operations . We are very concerned by 

449
00:16:50,390 --> 00:16:52,612
the statement made by MAli's transition 

450
00:16:52,612 --> 00:16:54,612
government expressing its intent to 

451
00:16:54,612 --> 00:16:56,779
deny minusma the freedom of movement , 

452
00:16:56,779 --> 00:16:59,320
it needs to fulfill its mandate . Uh we 

453
00:16:59,320 --> 00:17:01,500
will be working closely to make sure 

454
00:17:01,500 --> 00:17:03,444
that you can carry out its mandate 

455
00:17:03,444 --> 00:17:06,090
despite these verbal threats . In 

456
00:17:06,090 --> 00:17:08,201
Burkina , Faso . We are encouraged by 

457
00:17:08,201 --> 00:17:10,423
the transition government's proposal to 

458
00:17:10,423 --> 00:17:12,590
shorten the timeline to return Burkina 

459
00:17:12,590 --> 00:17:14,757
to democratically elected civilian led 

460
00:17:14,757 --> 00:17:16,812
governance by six months . While the 

461
00:17:16,812 --> 00:17:18,701
january 24th military coup d'etat 

462
00:17:18,701 --> 00:17:21,034
triggered restrictions on US assistance . 

463
00:17:21,034 --> 00:17:22,979
We remain committed to helping the 

464
00:17:22,979 --> 00:17:25,146
country under available authorities in 

465
00:17:25,146 --> 00:17:27,312
order to address instability , prevent 

466
00:17:27,312 --> 00:17:29,312
the spread of violent extremism and 

467
00:17:29,312 --> 00:17:31,479
support reforms to advance accountable 

468
00:17:31,479 --> 00:17:34,120
democratic rule . Chad has a historic 

469
00:17:34,130 --> 00:17:36,490
opportunity to change direction after 

470
00:17:36,490 --> 00:17:38,680
decades of authoritarian rule to 

471
00:17:38,680 --> 00:17:41,130
capitalize on this on this opportunity . 

472
00:17:41,140 --> 00:17:43,307
We have emphasized the importance of a 

473
00:17:43,307 --> 00:17:45,880
peaceful , timely political transition . 

474
00:17:45,890 --> 00:17:48,112
In line with the principles outlined by 

475
00:17:48,112 --> 00:17:50,620
the African Union 2021 Communique . 

476
00:17:50,630 --> 00:17:52,800
These include peaceful resolution of 

477
00:17:52,800 --> 00:17:54,578
negotiations with the country's 

478
00:17:54,578 --> 00:17:56,633
insurgent groups now taking place in 

479
00:17:56,633 --> 00:17:58,930
Doha , hosting a national dialogue that 

480
00:17:58,930 --> 00:18:01,097
is inclusive of all voices and holding 

481
00:18:01,097 --> 00:18:03,263
free and fair elections that lead to a 

482
00:18:03,263 --> 00:18:05,486
democratically elected and civilian led 

483
00:18:05,486 --> 00:18:07,652
government . Mauritania remains one of 

484
00:18:07,652 --> 00:18:09,874
our most stable partners in the Sahel . 

485
00:18:09,874 --> 00:18:12,380
We continue to work to support the 

486
00:18:12,380 --> 00:18:14,530
President's leadership in tackling 

487
00:18:14,530 --> 00:18:16,586
terrorism and improving governance . 

488
00:18:16,586 --> 00:18:18,930
The same is true in , one of our most 

489
00:18:18,930 --> 00:18:21,041
reliable and most willing partners in 

490
00:18:21,041 --> 00:18:24,120
the Sahel . Uh and we are value their 

491
00:18:24,120 --> 00:18:25,953
partnership and are committed to 

492
00:18:25,953 --> 00:18:27,787
supporting the leadership of the 

493
00:18:27,787 --> 00:18:30,120
President . Finally , Mr . President Mr . 

494
00:18:30,120 --> 00:18:32,450
Chairman , The News strategy identifies 

495
00:18:32,450 --> 00:18:34,339
the threat to border countries in 

496
00:18:34,339 --> 00:18:36,561
coastal West Africa , which are most at 

497
00:18:36,561 --> 00:18:38,672
risk from violent extremist spillover 

498
00:18:38,672 --> 00:18:40,894
from the saddle , as well as vulnerable 

499
00:18:40,894 --> 00:18:42,894
to internal factors that mirror the 

500
00:18:42,894 --> 00:18:45,006
governance challenges in the saddle . 

501
00:18:45,006 --> 00:18:47,061
We will use the lessons learned from 

502
00:18:47,061 --> 00:18:49,283
the innovative approach outlined in the 

503
00:18:49,283 --> 00:18:51,339
global fragility Act in Coastal West 

504
00:18:51,339 --> 00:18:53,450
Africa to inform and reinvigorate our 

505
00:18:53,450 --> 00:18:55,617
programming and coordination in this . 

506
00:18:55,617 --> 00:18:57,339
A hell thank you . Thank you . 

507
00:18:57,339 --> 00:18:58,672
Administrator Jenkins . 

508
00:19:02,140 --> 00:19:04,680
Chairman Menendez , thank you . Senator 

509
00:19:04,680 --> 00:19:06,791
rounds , distinguished members of the 

510
00:19:06,791 --> 00:19:09,013
committee . Thank you very much for the 

511
00:19:09,013 --> 00:19:11,069
opportunity to testify today and for 

512
00:19:11,069 --> 00:19:13,236
bringing attention to the urgent needs 

513
00:19:13,236 --> 00:19:15,458
of this critically important region . I 

514
00:19:15,458 --> 00:19:17,569
am particularly glad to be testifying 

515
00:19:17,569 --> 00:19:17,050
with my colleagues from the state and 

516
00:19:17,050 --> 00:19:19,217
defense departments as we are actively 

517
00:19:19,217 --> 00:19:21,439
working to prevent the saddles problems 

518
00:19:21,439 --> 00:19:23,217
from creeping into West African 

519
00:19:23,217 --> 00:19:25,272
countries as we implement the Global 

520
00:19:25,272 --> 00:19:27,439
fragility Act and the U . S . Strategy 

521
00:19:27,439 --> 00:19:29,217
to prevent conflict and promote 

522
00:19:29,217 --> 00:19:31,383
stability . Looking across the Sahel , 

523
00:19:31,383 --> 00:19:33,494
we see a region where the confluences 

524
00:19:33,494 --> 00:19:35,661
of U . S . National security interests 

525
00:19:35,661 --> 00:19:37,606
means we must devote attention and 

526
00:19:37,606 --> 00:19:39,772
resources to supporting key partners . 

527
00:19:39,772 --> 00:19:41,383
We also see a region that is 

528
00:19:41,383 --> 00:19:43,106
particularly fragile with weak 

529
00:19:43,106 --> 00:19:45,328
governments characterized by corruption 

530
00:19:45,328 --> 00:19:46,939
and lack of accountability . 

531
00:19:46,939 --> 00:19:48,772
Unprofessional security forces , 

532
00:19:48,772 --> 00:19:50,939
limited services and opportunities for 

533
00:19:50,939 --> 00:19:52,994
citizens . Intercommunal conflicts , 

534
00:19:52,994 --> 00:19:55,700
large gender inequalities and armed 

535
00:19:55,700 --> 00:19:59,260
groups looking to recruit the Sahel is 

536
00:19:59,260 --> 00:20:01,780
beset by problems , many problems all 

537
00:20:01,780 --> 00:20:04,300
exacerbating each other . It's a region 

538
00:20:04,300 --> 00:20:06,480
where decades of undelivered promises 

539
00:20:06,480 --> 00:20:08,424
have continuously eroded what were 

540
00:20:08,424 --> 00:20:10,630
never strong , thriving democracies . 

541
00:20:10,950 --> 00:20:13,006
It's a region where we've seen young 

542
00:20:13,006 --> 00:20:15,117
people dancing in support of military 

543
00:20:15,117 --> 00:20:17,420
takeovers , waving Russian flags and 

544
00:20:17,420 --> 00:20:19,309
repeating the disinformation that 

545
00:20:19,309 --> 00:20:21,740
targets them relentlessly . And it's a 

546
00:20:21,740 --> 00:20:23,962
region where violent extremists prey on 

547
00:20:23,962 --> 00:20:26,073
a generation that sees little promise 

548
00:20:26,073 --> 00:20:28,860
holds little hope feels little agency 

549
00:20:28,860 --> 00:20:30,860
and is desperate for many of life's 

550
00:20:30,860 --> 00:20:33,380
most basic needs add the effects of 

551
00:20:33,380 --> 00:20:36,000
climate change like desertification and 

552
00:20:36,000 --> 00:20:38,540
multi seasonal drought . The impact of 

553
00:20:38,540 --> 00:20:40,540
a pandemic on fragile political and 

554
00:20:40,540 --> 00:20:42,790
public health systems and the global 

555
00:20:42,790 --> 00:20:44,734
food security crisis brought on by 

556
00:20:44,734 --> 00:20:46,734
Putin's invasion of Ukraine and you 

557
00:20:46,734 --> 00:20:49,860
have a region in crisis . Each factor 

558
00:20:49,870 --> 00:20:52,500
exacerbates the other fragility . 

559
00:20:52,510 --> 00:20:55,910
Beginning beginning fragility . So what 

560
00:20:55,910 --> 00:20:58,530
is to be done us ? Foreign assistance 

561
00:20:58,530 --> 00:21:00,490
has an important role to play in 

562
00:21:00,490 --> 00:21:02,379
supporting partner governments to 

563
00:21:02,379 --> 00:21:04,434
manage threats and improve stability 

564
00:21:04,434 --> 00:21:06,546
and security . We need to bring fresh 

565
00:21:06,546 --> 00:21:08,434
thinking and new tools to bear in 

566
00:21:08,434 --> 00:21:10,212
reducing democratic backsliding 

567
00:21:10,212 --> 00:21:12,210
corruption and other drivers of 

568
00:21:12,640 --> 00:21:16,060
illegitimacy combating disinformation 

569
00:21:16,300 --> 00:21:18,133
and limiting openings from align 

570
00:21:18,133 --> 00:21:20,300
external influence in the countries of 

571
00:21:20,300 --> 00:21:22,510
the Sahel . We must support timely 

572
00:21:22,510 --> 00:21:24,840
democratic transitions in Burkina faso 

573
00:21:24,850 --> 00:21:27,920
chad and mali and critical political , 

574
00:21:27,930 --> 00:21:30,130
social , economic and governance 

575
00:21:30,130 --> 00:21:32,510
reforms across the region . To reduce 

576
00:21:32,510 --> 00:21:34,350
corruption and prevent further 

577
00:21:34,360 --> 00:21:37,120
democratic erosion . We should enable 

578
00:21:37,120 --> 00:21:39,231
governments to enhance their presence 

579
00:21:39,231 --> 00:21:41,390
in underserved areas and decentralize 

580
00:21:41,390 --> 00:21:43,390
their service delivery , foster 

581
00:21:43,390 --> 00:21:45,223
increased citizen trust in their 

582
00:21:45,223 --> 00:21:47,168
governments , mitigate the risk of 

583
00:21:47,168 --> 00:21:49,001
intercommunal conflict , improve 

584
00:21:49,001 --> 00:21:50,946
business enabling environments and 

585
00:21:50,946 --> 00:21:53,340
reduce cycles of political instability . 

586
00:21:53,490 --> 00:21:55,540
By demonstrating that democracy can 

587
00:21:55,540 --> 00:21:59,380
deliver tangible benefits for all . We 

588
00:21:59,380 --> 00:22:01,740
must help our partners adapt and manage 

589
00:22:01,740 --> 00:22:04,160
consequences of ongoing climate change 

590
00:22:04,170 --> 00:22:06,670
and displacement . This will require 

591
00:22:06,670 --> 00:22:08,670
close and genuine partnerships with 

592
00:22:08,670 --> 00:22:10,837
local actors , including governments , 

593
00:22:10,900 --> 00:22:13,067
civil society and the private sector . 

594
00:22:13,740 --> 00:22:15,740
None of this will take root without 

595
00:22:15,740 --> 00:22:17,962
strengthening and expanding the role of 

596
00:22:17,962 --> 00:22:19,851
african institutions in balancing 

597
00:22:19,851 --> 00:22:22,073
regional threats and opportunities with 

598
00:22:22,073 --> 00:22:24,184
underlying macroeconomic conditions . 

599
00:22:24,640 --> 00:22:26,807
We will have to get better at shifting 

600
00:22:26,807 --> 00:22:29,280
more leadership ownership , decision 

601
00:22:29,280 --> 00:22:32,070
making and implementation to the people 

602
00:22:32,070 --> 00:22:33,940
and institutions who possess the 

603
00:22:33,940 --> 00:22:37,000
capability connectedness and capable 

604
00:22:37,010 --> 00:22:39,420
and credibility to drive change in 

605
00:22:39,420 --> 00:22:41,560
their own countries and communities . 

606
00:22:42,540 --> 00:22:45,310
How can Congress help us ? We cannot do 

607
00:22:45,310 --> 00:22:47,088
this important work without the 

608
00:22:47,088 --> 00:22:49,254
resources you generously provide every 

609
00:22:49,254 --> 00:22:51,310
year . But U . S . I . D . And other 

610
00:22:51,310 --> 00:22:53,532
parts of the U . S . Government working 

611
00:22:53,532 --> 00:22:55,421
this problem set cannot know with 

612
00:22:55,421 --> 00:22:57,421
certainty the shape of the conflict 

613
00:22:57,421 --> 00:22:59,366
years out . We ask you to consider 

614
00:22:59,366 --> 00:23:01,510
granting more flexibility to allow us 

615
00:23:01,510 --> 00:23:03,677
to adapt as the facts and needs on the 

616
00:23:03,677 --> 00:23:05,820
ground change quickly . It's a model 

617
00:23:05,820 --> 00:23:07,987
that has succeeded and one U . S . A . 

618
00:23:07,987 --> 00:23:10,098
D . Wants to scale to the size of the 

619
00:23:10,098 --> 00:23:12,970
problem . Similarly , usa Dc's great 

620
00:23:12,970 --> 00:23:14,970
utility and further conversation on 

621
00:23:14,970 --> 00:23:17,081
flexible hiring mechanisms and better 

622
00:23:17,081 --> 00:23:18,914
incentivizing our people to fill 

623
00:23:18,914 --> 00:23:21,026
positions in the field where they are 

624
00:23:21,026 --> 00:23:23,140
needed . Often side by side with the 

625
00:23:23,140 --> 00:23:25,362
Department of Defense and Department of 

626
00:23:25,362 --> 00:23:27,710
State colleagues . Our missions and 

627
00:23:27,710 --> 00:23:29,821
offices in the region are chronically 

628
00:23:29,821 --> 00:23:31,988
understaffed , even though the work is 

629
00:23:31,988 --> 00:23:34,099
critical to our national security for 

630
00:23:34,099 --> 00:23:36,099
all the enthusiasm of an integrated 

631
00:23:36,099 --> 00:23:37,932
approach between departments and 

632
00:23:37,932 --> 00:23:39,821
agencies here in Washington . The 

633
00:23:39,821 --> 00:23:41,988
greatest difference comes in the field 

634
00:23:41,988 --> 00:23:44,154
alongside colleagues and international 

635
00:23:44,154 --> 00:23:45,932
partners tackling these complex 

636
00:23:45,932 --> 00:23:48,500
challenges together . Thank you again 

637
00:23:48,500 --> 00:23:50,667
for convening this important hearing . 

638
00:23:50,740 --> 00:23:54,030
Look forward to your questions . Thank 

639
00:23:54,030 --> 00:23:55,419
you . Secretary Blyden . 

640
00:23:58,540 --> 00:24:00,762
Thank you . Chairman Menendez , ranking 

641
00:24:00,762 --> 00:24:02,651
member Risch , senator rounds and 

642
00:24:02,651 --> 00:24:04,651
members of the committee . It is an 

643
00:24:04,651 --> 00:24:06,540
honor to testify before you today 

644
00:24:06,540 --> 00:24:08,596
alongside Assistant secretary fee to 

645
00:24:08,596 --> 00:24:10,929
discuss the Department of Defense D . O . 

646
00:24:10,929 --> 00:24:13,096
D . S . To help policy and how D . O . 

647
00:24:13,096 --> 00:24:13,020
D . Is working to align its activities 

648
00:24:13,020 --> 00:24:15,020
within the United States , whole of 

649
00:24:15,020 --> 00:24:16,853
government health strategy . The 

650
00:24:16,853 --> 00:24:18,798
National Defense Strategy outlines 

651
00:24:18,798 --> 00:24:21,020
three high level security priorities in 

652
00:24:21,020 --> 00:24:22,853
africa namely countering violent 

653
00:24:22,853 --> 00:24:25,020
extremist organizations , the Eos that 

654
00:24:25,020 --> 00:24:27,131
pose a threat to the U . S . Homeland 

655
00:24:27,131 --> 00:24:29,298
and U . S . Interests to strengthening 

656
00:24:29,298 --> 00:24:31,409
allies and partners to support mutual 

657
00:24:31,409 --> 00:24:33,187
security objectives . And three 

658
00:24:33,187 --> 00:24:34,853
addressing targeted strategic 

659
00:24:34,853 --> 00:24:36,853
competition concerns that present a 

660
00:24:36,853 --> 00:24:39,076
military risk to the United States . In 

661
00:24:39,076 --> 00:24:41,020
this hell , these three priorities 

662
00:24:41,020 --> 00:24:43,242
intersect in a manner that requires not 

663
00:24:43,242 --> 00:24:45,464
only an integrated approach but a whole 

664
00:24:45,464 --> 00:24:47,631
of government approach . Over the past 

665
00:24:47,631 --> 00:24:49,464
six months , we've seen that the 

666
00:24:49,464 --> 00:24:51,631
intersection of these three challenges 

667
00:24:51,631 --> 00:24:53,742
in the sahel has resulted in military 

668
00:24:53,742 --> 00:24:55,687
coups , unconstitutional political 

669
00:24:55,687 --> 00:24:57,909
transitions . Democratic backsliding in 

670
00:24:57,909 --> 00:25:00,076
West africa the inherent spread of V . 

671
00:25:00,076 --> 00:25:02,298
E . O . S . And an exponential increase 

672
00:25:02,298 --> 00:25:02,250
in their attacks , destabilizing 

673
00:25:02,250 --> 00:25:04,361
presence of Russia's Wagner group and 

674
00:25:04,361 --> 00:25:06,306
the withdrawal of french and other 

675
00:25:06,306 --> 00:25:08,083
allied forces from mali . These 

676
00:25:08,083 --> 00:25:10,194
challenges transcend national borders 

677
00:25:10,194 --> 00:25:12,194
and therefore require a coordinated 

678
00:25:12,194 --> 00:25:14,250
regional approach as such . It would 

679
00:25:14,250 --> 00:25:16,250
behoove us to address them together 

680
00:25:16,250 --> 00:25:18,472
with our African partners . V . O . S . 

681
00:25:18,472 --> 00:25:20,361
Are increasingly exploiting power 

682
00:25:20,361 --> 00:25:22,528
vacuums , instability , local tensions 

683
00:25:22,528 --> 00:25:24,583
and weak government institutions and 

684
00:25:24,583 --> 00:25:26,417
governing practices these groups 

685
00:25:26,417 --> 00:25:28,472
jeopardize stability , democracy and 

686
00:25:28,472 --> 00:25:30,528
peach peace , which further provides 

687
00:25:30,528 --> 00:25:32,250
opportunities for extremism to 

688
00:25:32,250 --> 00:25:32,150
proliferate , creating a vicious 

689
00:25:32,150 --> 00:25:34,317
feedback loop that is fueled by a lack 

690
00:25:34,317 --> 00:25:36,317
of good governance and human rights 

691
00:25:36,317 --> 00:25:38,150
accountability . When government 

692
00:25:38,150 --> 00:25:40,372
struggle to maintain security , deliver 

693
00:25:40,372 --> 00:25:41,928
essential services , uphold 

694
00:25:41,928 --> 00:25:44,150
humanitarian principles or even provide 

695
00:25:44,150 --> 00:25:46,150
economic opportunities and conflict 

696
00:25:46,150 --> 00:25:48,317
environments , conditions are ripe for 

697
00:25:48,317 --> 00:25:50,483
V . E . O . S to exploit and appeal to 

698
00:25:50,483 --> 00:25:50,360
vulnerable and unprotected marginalized 

699
00:25:50,370 --> 00:25:53,090
populations . Furthermore , illicit 

700
00:25:53,090 --> 00:25:55,201
networks that traffic drugs , weapons 

701
00:25:55,201 --> 00:25:57,423
and persons across the continent create 

702
00:25:57,423 --> 00:25:59,646
the conditions that empower V . E . O . 

703
00:25:59,646 --> 00:26:01,812
S and serve as a lucrative resource of 

704
00:26:01,812 --> 00:26:04,034
revenue for these groups and allows for 

705
00:26:04,034 --> 00:26:06,201
their expansion across the continent . 

706
00:26:06,201 --> 00:26:08,368
There are over a dozen active ISIS and 

707
00:26:08,368 --> 00:26:08,250
Al Qaeda affiliates on the continent 

708
00:26:08,250 --> 00:26:10,417
from the saddle to the lake chad basin 

709
00:26:10,417 --> 00:26:13,220
from Somalia to Drc . These groups vary 

710
00:26:13,220 --> 00:26:15,109
in their intent and capability to 

711
00:26:15,109 --> 00:26:17,276
attack U . S . Interests with those in 

712
00:26:17,276 --> 00:26:19,650
the Sahel among the most capable in 

713
00:26:19,650 --> 00:26:21,483
this hell . We've seen the rapid 

714
00:26:21,483 --> 00:26:23,706
expansion in open movement of Jamaat al 

715
00:26:23,706 --> 00:26:25,872
assam while missile um otherwise known 

716
00:26:25,872 --> 00:26:28,094
as jane um and the Islamic state in the 

717
00:26:28,094 --> 00:26:30,094
greater Sahara I . S . G . S within 

718
00:26:30,094 --> 00:26:32,150
mali into neighboring Burkina , Faso 

719
00:26:32,150 --> 00:26:34,150
and southward to the western Africa 

720
00:26:34,150 --> 00:26:36,039
equatorial countries VE . O . S . 

721
00:26:36,039 --> 00:26:38,261
Continue to spread towards coastal West 

722
00:26:38,261 --> 00:26:40,483
Africa . And if left unchecked will add 

723
00:26:40,483 --> 00:26:42,650
to existing security challenges in the 

724
00:26:42,650 --> 00:26:44,928
gulf of guinea and coastal West Africa , 

725
00:26:44,928 --> 00:26:46,928
D . O . D . Is working closely with 

726
00:26:46,928 --> 00:26:48,761
state and U . S . A . I . D . To 

727
00:26:48,761 --> 00:26:48,540
develop programs for coastal West 

728
00:26:48,540 --> 00:26:50,762
African countries as part of the global 

729
00:26:50,762 --> 00:26:52,707
fragility Act , as mentioned by my 

730
00:26:52,707 --> 00:26:54,873
colleagues and the U . S . Strategy to 

731
00:26:54,873 --> 00:26:57,151
prevent conflict and promote stability . 

732
00:26:57,151 --> 00:26:59,318
The strategy implementation in coastal 

733
00:26:59,318 --> 00:27:01,318
West Africa will help boost bolster 

734
00:27:01,318 --> 00:27:03,540
coastal states against the encroachment 

735
00:27:03,540 --> 00:27:05,651
of V . E . O . S from the saddle , an 

736
00:27:05,651 --> 00:27:07,762
already complex situation in Mali has 

737
00:27:07,762 --> 00:27:09,762
been exacerbated by the presence of 

738
00:27:09,762 --> 00:27:09,760
Russian backed Wagner group and 

739
00:27:09,760 --> 00:27:11,871
additionally the withdrawal of forces 

740
00:27:11,871 --> 00:27:13,982
under the french operation of our con 

741
00:27:13,982 --> 00:27:17,700
have also um created uh challenges to 

742
00:27:17,700 --> 00:27:20,000
allowing the minusma mission or the 

743
00:27:20,000 --> 00:27:21,910
United Nations mission in Mali to 

744
00:27:21,910 --> 00:27:24,380
continue its operations . Given these 

745
00:27:24,380 --> 00:27:26,610
new and increasing challenges . We the 

746
00:27:26,610 --> 00:27:28,554
US , our allies and especially our 

747
00:27:28,554 --> 00:27:30,666
African partners need to consider the 

748
00:27:30,666 --> 00:27:32,888
root of our counterterrorism efforts as 

749
00:27:32,888 --> 00:27:35,221
we've experienced in other key theaters . 

750
00:27:35,221 --> 00:27:37,332
Failing to understand the root causes 

751
00:27:37,332 --> 00:27:39,499
of local levels and at the local level 

752
00:27:39,499 --> 00:27:41,666
and understanding our partners , their 

753
00:27:41,666 --> 00:27:43,610
will to fight can have significant 

754
00:27:43,610 --> 00:27:45,832
consequences . We need to integrate our 

755
00:27:45,832 --> 00:27:47,999
entire approach in the saddle with our 

756
00:27:47,999 --> 00:27:50,221
African partners or we risk undermining 

757
00:27:50,221 --> 00:27:51,888
our own efforts and providing 

758
00:27:51,888 --> 00:27:54,166
additional opportunities for V . E . O . 

759
00:27:54,166 --> 00:27:53,700
S . And strategic competitors to gain 

760
00:27:53,700 --> 00:27:56,310
access and influence . is one of our 

761
00:27:56,310 --> 00:27:58,420
most critical and crucial security 

762
00:27:58,420 --> 00:28:00,700
partners in the Sahel and they continue 

763
00:28:00,700 --> 00:28:02,867
to set the example of democracy in the 

764
00:28:02,867 --> 00:28:05,089
region . We need to continue to support 

765
00:28:05,089 --> 00:28:07,144
the government of as our partnership 

766
00:28:07,144 --> 00:28:09,367
with them is critical to success in the 

767
00:28:09,367 --> 00:28:11,256
region in Mauritania . We hope to 

768
00:28:11,256 --> 00:28:12,867
increase professionalization 

769
00:28:12,867 --> 00:28:15,033
engagements with social partners given 

770
00:28:15,033 --> 00:28:16,867
its lengthy border with MAli And 

771
00:28:16,867 --> 00:28:19,144
hosting the G5 to Hell Defense College , 

772
00:28:19,144 --> 00:28:21,311
enabling Mauritania into a more active 

773
00:28:21,311 --> 00:28:23,256
role as part of the broader health 

774
00:28:23,256 --> 00:28:25,200
strategy is important . While chad 

775
00:28:25,200 --> 00:28:26,978
remains one of the most capable 

776
00:28:26,978 --> 00:28:29,311
partners in the region ending our U . S . 

777
00:28:29,311 --> 00:28:31,422
Security cooperation has affected our 

778
00:28:31,422 --> 00:28:32,978
bilateral engagement as the 

779
00:28:32,978 --> 00:28:34,978
transitional Military council works 

780
00:28:34,978 --> 00:28:36,922
towards a return to democratically 

781
00:28:36,922 --> 00:28:36,920
elected and civilian led government . 

782
00:28:36,930 --> 00:28:39,041
We remain committed to supporting the 

783
00:28:39,041 --> 00:28:41,270
will of the chadian people . Chad was 

784
00:28:41,270 --> 00:28:43,103
only one of six countries of the 

785
00:28:43,103 --> 00:28:45,214
African continent to endorse Russia's 

786
00:28:45,214 --> 00:28:47,103
suspension from the U . N . Human 

787
00:28:47,103 --> 00:28:49,103
Rights Council . Chad is faced with 

788
00:28:49,103 --> 00:28:51,326
terrorist threats , humanitarian crisis 

789
00:28:51,326 --> 00:28:53,548
and malign Russian influence in its own 

790
00:28:53,548 --> 00:28:55,492
region . The United States has the 

791
00:28:55,492 --> 00:28:57,270
potential to provide meaningful 

792
00:28:57,270 --> 00:28:59,326
security cooperation to train chad's 

793
00:28:59,326 --> 00:29:01,159
military and civilian services , 

794
00:29:01,159 --> 00:29:03,214
especially given its role as a troop 

795
00:29:03,214 --> 00:29:05,437
contributor in the U . N . And regional 

796
00:29:05,437 --> 00:29:07,548
peace operations . We are encouraging 

797
00:29:07,548 --> 00:29:09,326
our european allies and African 

798
00:29:09,326 --> 00:29:11,270
partners operating in this hell to 

799
00:29:11,270 --> 00:29:13,492
adopt a similar approach to what you'll 

800
00:29:13,492 --> 00:29:15,492
hear about from this strategy . One 

801
00:29:15,492 --> 00:29:14,840
that seeks solutions that are 

802
00:29:14,850 --> 00:29:16,900
integrated whole of government and 

803
00:29:16,900 --> 00:29:19,280
African led . We assess that unilateral 

804
00:29:19,280 --> 00:29:21,260
military action is insufficient to 

805
00:29:21,260 --> 00:29:23,482
address the scope of threats we face on 

806
00:29:23,482 --> 00:29:25,316
the continent . And although the 

807
00:29:25,316 --> 00:29:27,649
continent is awash with new initiatives , 

808
00:29:27,649 --> 00:29:29,816
it would truly benefit from management 

809
00:29:29,816 --> 00:29:31,982
of the international community support 

810
00:29:31,982 --> 00:29:31,680
to our partners and their locally 

811
00:29:31,680 --> 00:29:34,000
supported efforts to this end , we 

812
00:29:34,000 --> 00:29:35,889
continue to better understand our 

813
00:29:35,889 --> 00:29:37,944
partner security needs designing and 

814
00:29:37,944 --> 00:29:39,611
implementing our programs and 

815
00:29:39,611 --> 00:29:41,778
engagements along mutual priorities as 

816
00:29:41,778 --> 00:29:44,111
we examine a new approach in the saddle . 

817
00:29:44,111 --> 00:29:46,278
It is critical for us to work with our 

818
00:29:46,278 --> 00:29:48,444
African partners in order to implement 

819
00:29:48,444 --> 00:29:48,000
a shared vision for the future of 

820
00:29:48,000 --> 00:29:50,730
African security . Our role here is to 

821
00:29:50,730 --> 00:29:52,397
enable African partners to be 

822
00:29:52,397 --> 00:29:54,619
successful in owning their own security 

823
00:29:54,619 --> 00:29:56,950
for their benefit and ours and the best 

824
00:29:56,950 --> 00:29:59,172
way to help them own their own security 

825
00:29:59,172 --> 00:30:01,339
is to allow them to lead , shaping our 

826
00:30:01,339 --> 00:30:03,270
support to their efforts . Our 

827
00:30:03,270 --> 00:30:05,437
adversaries are well aware of Africa's 

828
00:30:05,437 --> 00:30:07,492
strategic potential and are devoting 

829
00:30:07,492 --> 00:30:09,659
resources and time to strengthen their 

830
00:30:09,659 --> 00:30:11,881
partnerships on the continent . As part 

831
00:30:11,881 --> 00:30:14,048
of its engagement , Russia and the PRC 

832
00:30:14,048 --> 00:30:13,770
routinely provide training and defense 

833
00:30:13,770 --> 00:30:15,992
articles to African nations . While our 

834
00:30:15,992 --> 00:30:18,214
African partners have stated repeatedly 

835
00:30:18,214 --> 00:30:20,103
that they prefer our training and 

836
00:30:20,103 --> 00:30:22,103
defense articles , they turn to our 

837
00:30:22,103 --> 00:30:24,270
competitors when we are not responsive 

838
00:30:24,270 --> 00:30:26,437
to their requests , we must work to be 

839
00:30:26,437 --> 00:30:28,603
more responsive and more present if we 

840
00:30:28,603 --> 00:30:30,714
are to succeed in this arena . Let us 

841
00:30:30,714 --> 00:30:32,770
not forget , the PRC seeks to expand 

842
00:30:32,770 --> 00:30:34,826
its access and the PRC basing on the 

843
00:30:34,826 --> 00:30:37,048
continent remains a key concern as this 

844
00:30:37,048 --> 00:30:39,159
committee is probably aware . The PRC 

845
00:30:39,159 --> 00:30:41,214
seeks to open additional basis tying 

846
00:30:41,214 --> 00:30:43,437
their commercial seaport investments in 

847
00:30:43,437 --> 00:30:45,548
east west and southern Africa closely 

848
00:30:45,548 --> 00:30:47,603
with involvement by chinese military 

849
00:30:47,603 --> 00:30:49,548
forces in order to further further 

850
00:30:49,548 --> 00:30:51,920
their geostrategic interests , MS 

851
00:30:51,920 --> 00:30:53,753
Blyden , you've been about seven 

852
00:30:53,753 --> 00:30:55,976
minutes . So you can summarize for us . 

853
00:30:55,976 --> 00:30:57,864
I will wrap up and conclusion the 

854
00:30:57,864 --> 00:31:00,031
circle is a region where our three NDS 

855
00:31:00,031 --> 00:31:01,864
priorities in Africa intersect , 

856
00:31:01,864 --> 00:31:03,698
requiring an integrated whole of 

857
00:31:03,698 --> 00:31:05,864
government approach that leverages our 

858
00:31:05,864 --> 00:31:05,760
allies and partners but puts our 

859
00:31:05,760 --> 00:31:07,649
African partners in the lead with 

860
00:31:07,649 --> 00:31:09,649
respect to restoring and preserving 

861
00:31:09,649 --> 00:31:11,871
security on the continent . I apologize 

862
00:31:11,871 --> 00:31:13,871
for taking a little extra thank you 

863
00:31:13,871 --> 00:31:15,704
very much . Um start around five 

864
00:31:15,704 --> 00:31:17,871
minutes . I'm pleased to know that the 

865
00:31:17,871 --> 00:31:20,093
administration is on track to deliver a 

866
00:31:20,093 --> 00:31:22,260
strategy for the Sahel in keeping with 

867
00:31:22,260 --> 00:31:24,316
the requirements of the trans Sahara 

868
00:31:24,316 --> 00:31:26,371
counterterrorism Partnership program 

869
00:31:26,371 --> 00:31:28,350
Act of 2021 which I sponsored . I 

870
00:31:28,350 --> 00:31:30,517
appreciate the consultations that have 

871
00:31:30,517 --> 00:31:32,628
occurred to date on the staff level . 

872
00:31:32,628 --> 00:31:34,350
And I consider this hearing of 

873
00:31:34,350 --> 00:31:36,461
continuation of those consultations . 

874
00:31:36,461 --> 00:31:38,294
As I mentioned during my opening 

875
00:31:38,294 --> 00:31:40,461
statement , I will have input into the 

876
00:31:40,461 --> 00:31:42,017
strategy as a result of our 

877
00:31:42,017 --> 00:31:44,183
conversations and today and those that 

878
00:31:44,183 --> 00:31:46,406
have taken place . But I'd like each of 

879
00:31:46,406 --> 00:31:48,294
our witnesses to elaborate on the 

880
00:31:48,294 --> 00:31:50,440
following question . For two decades 

881
00:31:50,450 --> 00:31:52,980
successive administrations have focused 

882
00:31:52,980 --> 00:31:56,140
heavily on security in the Sahel . I 

883
00:31:56,140 --> 00:31:58,410
agree that security must be one element 

884
00:31:58,420 --> 00:32:00,420
of our approach but I also think we 

885
00:32:00,420 --> 00:32:02,950
need to balance defense assistance with 

886
00:32:02,950 --> 00:32:05,550
our development and diplomatic efforts . 

887
00:32:05,560 --> 00:32:08,620
How does the draft strategy differ from 

888
00:32:08,620 --> 00:32:10,170
the approach of previous 

889
00:32:10,170 --> 00:32:11,948
administrations with respect to 

890
00:32:11,948 --> 00:32:14,270
balancing these . See these so called 

891
00:32:14,270 --> 00:32:15,050
three D . S . 

892
00:32:18,120 --> 00:32:20,970
Mr Chairman , You'll recall a year ago 

893
00:32:20,970 --> 00:32:23,081
when I came before this committee for 

894
00:32:23,081 --> 00:32:25,137
my confirmation hearing . I reviewed 

895
00:32:25,137 --> 00:32:27,350
the testimony of your of the 

896
00:32:27,350 --> 00:32:29,517
confirmation hearing of my predecessor 

897
00:32:29,517 --> 00:32:32,490
in 2017 and at that time you asked him 

898
00:32:32,490 --> 00:32:35,140
for a simple strategy and when I 

899
00:32:35,150 --> 00:32:37,430
assumed office we still did not have a 

900
00:32:37,430 --> 00:32:39,486
single strategy . So that was one of 

901
00:32:39,486 --> 00:32:40,486
the first tasks . 

902
00:32:43,840 --> 00:32:46,900
Yes , I know . Uh , and I tried to 

903
00:32:46,900 --> 00:32:48,789
bring the lessons we have learned 

904
00:32:48,789 --> 00:32:50,789
collectively as a nation from other 

905
00:32:50,789 --> 00:32:52,733
theaters that are reflected in the 

906
00:32:52,733 --> 00:32:54,900
global fragility act . So you will see 

907
00:32:54,900 --> 00:32:56,956
in the , as your staff has looked at 

908
00:32:56,956 --> 00:32:59,890
the new strategy , an explicit shift 

909
00:32:59,900 --> 00:33:03,090
away from a security dominated focus to 

910
00:33:03,100 --> 00:33:05,322
a diplomatic and development emphasis . 

911
00:33:05,440 --> 00:33:07,870
Those of course are difficult tasks . 

912
00:33:07,870 --> 00:33:10,037
As I mentioned in my initial statement 

913
00:33:10,037 --> 00:33:12,030
that will take some time as my 

914
00:33:12,030 --> 00:33:14,252
colleagues have said . And as as I have 

915
00:33:14,252 --> 00:33:16,660
said , we could use more resources to 

916
00:33:16,660 --> 00:33:19,410
help us implement those tasks and the 

917
00:33:19,410 --> 00:33:21,577
current budget discussions underway in 

918
00:33:21,577 --> 00:33:23,743
the administration . There's an effort 

919
00:33:23,743 --> 00:33:25,910
to address the allocation of resources 

920
00:33:25,910 --> 00:33:27,743
to reinforce The outcomes in the 

921
00:33:27,743 --> 00:33:30,290
strategy . So I would say we absolutely 

922
00:33:30,300 --> 00:33:32,430
have taken the lessons that we've 

923
00:33:32,430 --> 00:33:34,652
learned again as a nation over the past 

924
00:33:34,652 --> 00:33:36,763
20 years , specifically in the saddle 

925
00:33:36,763 --> 00:33:38,986
in the past 10 years and and reoriented 

926
00:33:38,990 --> 00:33:41,830
the strategy to reflect the concerns 

927
00:33:41,970 --> 00:33:43,748
and the lessons we've learned . 

928
00:33:43,748 --> 00:33:45,303
Administrator Jenkins . Any 

929
00:33:45,303 --> 00:33:47,137
observations on that ? Thank you 

930
00:33:47,137 --> 00:33:49,081
Senator . I've seen a lot of these 

931
00:33:49,081 --> 00:33:51,248
strategies before and for many of them 

932
00:33:51,248 --> 00:33:53,359
you can cut and paste the name of the 

933
00:33:53,359 --> 00:33:55,526
country and the same objectives are in 

934
00:33:55,526 --> 00:33:57,692
there . This isn't like that . This is 

935
00:33:57,692 --> 00:34:00,580
a real clear eyed honest assessment of 

936
00:34:00,580 --> 00:34:02,636
where things are in this hell . It's 

937
00:34:02,636 --> 00:34:04,858
not a pretty picture what we have to do 

938
00:34:04,858 --> 00:34:07,080
first . Let's get these three countries 

939
00:34:07,080 --> 00:34:09,247
back on democratic rails and how do we 

940
00:34:09,247 --> 00:34:11,247
help them address the problems that 

941
00:34:11,247 --> 00:34:13,413
they find themselves in . As Assistant 

942
00:34:13,413 --> 00:34:15,580
Secretary fee said , this is these are 

943
00:34:15,580 --> 00:34:17,691
generational problems . They will not 

944
00:34:17,691 --> 00:34:19,913
be fixed in five years , but we have to 

945
00:34:19,913 --> 00:34:21,691
start now and we now have a new 

946
00:34:21,691 --> 00:34:23,913
strategy to do that that emphasizes not 

947
00:34:23,913 --> 00:34:26,136
killing terrorists , but addressing the 

948
00:34:26,136 --> 00:34:28,136
root causes . It's hard work , it's 

949
00:34:28,136 --> 00:34:30,191
slow work . It needs to be resourced 

950
00:34:30,191 --> 00:34:32,302
but now we have a strategy and we can 

951
00:34:32,302 --> 00:34:36,110
get on with it . Secretary Blood , I 

952
00:34:36,110 --> 00:34:38,221
would offer that . We've learned that 

953
00:34:38,221 --> 00:34:40,332
the counterterrorism approach um that 

954
00:34:40,332 --> 00:34:42,277
we have employed in the saddle and 

955
00:34:42,277 --> 00:34:44,499
working with our allies and partners is 

956
00:34:44,499 --> 00:34:46,721
not the only solution to the addressing 

957
00:34:46,721 --> 00:34:48,943
the growing insecurity . I think we are 

958
00:34:48,943 --> 00:34:51,110
shifting our approach from solely only 

959
00:34:51,110 --> 00:34:53,166
focusing on the cT approach to being 

960
00:34:53,166 --> 00:34:52,990
more inclusive of not just the whole of 

961
00:34:52,990 --> 00:34:54,712
government approach , but also 

962
00:34:54,712 --> 00:34:56,879
addressing things at the local level . 

963
00:34:56,879 --> 00:34:58,934
So ensuring that african initiatives 

964
00:34:58,934 --> 00:35:01,157
and initiatives that are led by African 

965
00:35:01,157 --> 00:35:03,268
institutions and frameworks are being 

966
00:35:03,268 --> 00:35:05,157
enabled to be able to address the 

967
00:35:05,157 --> 00:35:07,379
security concerns on their own and that 

968
00:35:07,379 --> 00:35:09,601
I think alongside with what we're doing 

969
00:35:09,601 --> 00:35:11,657
on the governance end and what we're 

970
00:35:11,657 --> 00:35:13,823
doing from a diplomatic end is helping 

971
00:35:13,823 --> 00:35:15,823
provide a more holistic approach to 

972
00:35:15,823 --> 00:35:15,780
addressing these . I think as both of 

973
00:35:15,790 --> 00:35:18,012
my colleagues have said this takes time 

974
00:35:18,012 --> 00:35:20,990
and allowing the the African partners 

975
00:35:20,990 --> 00:35:23,157
to give us what they know will work is 

976
00:35:23,157 --> 00:35:25,600
also key . Let me follow up with you in 

977
00:35:25,600 --> 00:35:27,767
your written testimony . You mentioned 

978
00:35:27,767 --> 00:35:30,100
that ending , I'm quoting you ending us . 

979
00:35:30,100 --> 00:35:32,211
Security cooperation has affected our 

980
00:35:32,211 --> 00:35:36,180
bilateral engagement with CHad . So 

981
00:35:36,190 --> 00:35:39,060
did the coup affect our relationship at 

982
00:35:39,060 --> 00:35:41,282
all ? Are you suggesting that we engage 

983
00:35:41,282 --> 00:35:43,449
in business as usual with the military 

984
00:35:43,450 --> 00:35:46,630
junta ? How would doing so reflect US 

985
00:35:46,630 --> 00:35:48,810
values in your view and what message 

986
00:35:48,810 --> 00:35:51,310
would that send throughout the region 

987
00:35:51,320 --> 00:35:53,598
and for that fact throughout the world , 

988
00:35:53,598 --> 00:35:55,598
by continuing to support a junta as 

989
00:35:55,598 --> 00:35:57,709
though the coup had not taken place . 

990
00:35:58,640 --> 00:36:01,320
Senator , I would not uh suggest that 

991
00:36:01,320 --> 00:36:04,090
we should support a junta . Um I would 

992
00:36:04,090 --> 00:36:07,280
say that in and are pulling back and 

993
00:36:07,280 --> 00:36:09,800
not engaging regularly with um the 

994
00:36:09,800 --> 00:36:11,967
military's and many of the governments 

995
00:36:11,967 --> 00:36:14,540
are absence and our ability to be able 

996
00:36:14,540 --> 00:36:16,651
to provide influence whether it be at 

997
00:36:16,651 --> 00:36:18,429
the governance structure , even 

998
00:36:18,429 --> 00:36:20,318
training where we emphasize human 

999
00:36:20,318 --> 00:36:22,373
rights values , where we emphasize a 

1000
00:36:22,373 --> 00:36:24,429
democratic approach um has inhibited 

1001
00:36:24,429 --> 00:36:26,540
our ability to be able to have access 

1002
00:36:26,540 --> 00:36:28,651
and our influence , I think is one of 

1003
00:36:28,651 --> 00:36:30,651
the key things that the US has been 

1004
00:36:30,651 --> 00:36:32,596
able to provide . So while I don't 

1005
00:36:32,596 --> 00:36:34,596
necessarily proposed that we should 

1006
00:36:34,596 --> 00:36:36,596
continue to work with juntas , I do 

1007
00:36:36,596 --> 00:36:38,707
think having an ability to be able to 

1008
00:36:38,707 --> 00:36:40,873
work and talk to them um to be able to 

1009
00:36:40,873 --> 00:36:43,150
report our influence is key . Well 

1010
00:36:43,150 --> 00:36:46,540
talking to them um is different than 

1011
00:36:46,540 --> 00:36:48,740
engaging in security cooperation with 

1012
00:36:48,740 --> 00:36:50,840
them in which we are providing 

1013
00:36:50,850 --> 00:36:53,140
potentially resources . Right , so one 

1014
00:36:53,140 --> 00:36:55,307
of the committee's jurisdiction is the 

1015
00:36:55,307 --> 00:36:57,540
question of arms sales . Um you know , 

1016
00:36:57,540 --> 00:37:00,570
it's very difficult to be engaged in 

1017
00:37:00,570 --> 00:37:03,680
selling arms to a junta that has 

1018
00:37:03,680 --> 00:37:05,940
upended constitutional order in the 

1019
00:37:05,940 --> 00:37:07,884
country . And so that's one of the 

1020
00:37:07,884 --> 00:37:10,370
challenges that I I believe we have 

1021
00:37:10,370 --> 00:37:12,350
here . And it seems to me that our 

1022
00:37:12,350 --> 00:37:14,461
focus in the region has been for some 

1023
00:37:14,461 --> 00:37:18,190
time on a purely uh counterterrorism . 

1024
00:37:18,190 --> 00:37:20,412
And and I and I understand that that is 

1025
00:37:20,412 --> 00:37:22,412
an important function . But when it 

1026
00:37:22,412 --> 00:37:24,710
becomes the sole driver and when our 

1027
00:37:24,710 --> 00:37:26,940
engagement with the military entities 

1028
00:37:26,950 --> 00:37:29,061
that are not under civilian control , 

1029
00:37:29,061 --> 00:37:32,210
ultimately uh continues and perpetuates 

1030
00:37:32,210 --> 00:37:34,250
them , uh that's the problem . 

1031
00:37:36,830 --> 00:37:39,110
Um let me ask one final question . I 

1032
00:37:39,110 --> 00:37:41,277
know that the draft strategy is a five 

1033
00:37:41,277 --> 00:37:42,930
year strategy . How will the 

1034
00:37:42,930 --> 00:37:45,041
administration implement the strategy 

1035
00:37:45,041 --> 00:37:47,152
of three of the five countries in the 

1036
00:37:47,152 --> 00:37:49,160
Sahel are governed by illegitimate 

1037
00:37:49,160 --> 00:37:50,938
military juntas . With shifting 

1038
00:37:50,938 --> 00:37:53,390
timelines for yielding power back to 

1039
00:37:53,400 --> 00:37:54,678
civilian authorities . 

1040
00:37:57,720 --> 00:38:00,900
Mr Chairman , as we saw recently with 

1041
00:38:00,910 --> 00:38:03,080
the engagement by the regional bloc 

1042
00:38:03,080 --> 00:38:05,420
ecowas with each of the governments in 

1043
00:38:05,420 --> 00:38:07,630
the region , uh excluding chad , which 

1044
00:38:07,630 --> 00:38:10,220
I can address separately . There is now 

1045
00:38:10,220 --> 00:38:14,200
a path to restore the transition to 

1046
00:38:14,210 --> 00:38:16,650
a stronger and more stable democracy . 

1047
00:38:16,720 --> 00:38:20,550
Uh and we can use 7008 does not deny 

1048
00:38:20,550 --> 00:38:22,700
us the use of resources to non 

1049
00:38:22,700 --> 00:38:25,390
government entities to support the 

1050
00:38:25,400 --> 00:38:27,830
practices and policies of for example , 

1051
00:38:27,830 --> 00:38:30,770
civil society to encourage uh those 

1052
00:38:30,770 --> 00:38:34,060
successful transitions Uh in in chad 

1053
00:38:34,060 --> 00:38:36,440
which is not a member of ecowas . The 

1054
00:38:36,450 --> 00:38:38,506
government of Qatar has been hosting 

1055
00:38:38,506 --> 00:38:40,580
for the past 5 to 6 months talks 

1056
00:38:40,580 --> 00:38:42,413
between the government and their 

1057
00:38:42,413 --> 00:38:44,524
traditional insurgent rivals known as 

1058
00:38:44,524 --> 00:38:47,590
the political military groups and uh 

1059
00:38:47,600 --> 00:38:49,767
those talks , they they're now down to 

1060
00:38:49,767 --> 00:38:52,100
a final draft which again would lay out 

1061
00:38:52,110 --> 00:38:54,870
a milestone to have a national dialogue 

1062
00:38:54,880 --> 00:38:56,824
to draft a constitution to have an 

1063
00:38:56,824 --> 00:38:58,936
election . So our proposal is that we 

1064
00:38:58,936 --> 00:39:00,769
would use the resources that are 

1065
00:39:00,769 --> 00:39:02,713
available to us in any increase in 

1066
00:39:02,713 --> 00:39:05,130
resources to help consolidate these 

1067
00:39:05,130 --> 00:39:08,570
plans to move towards a democratic rule 

1068
00:39:09,240 --> 00:39:11,530
senator rounds . Thank you . Mr 

1069
00:39:11,530 --> 00:39:13,641
Chairman , I just wanted to follow up 

1070
00:39:13,641 --> 00:39:16,970
quickly with MS Blyden . Um how is the 

1071
00:39:16,970 --> 00:39:18,970
Department of Defense adjusting its 

1072
00:39:18,970 --> 00:39:21,192
approach to training military personnel 

1073
00:39:21,192 --> 00:39:23,740
of countries in the seal given the four 

1074
00:39:23,740 --> 00:39:25,907
coups that have affected the region in 

1075
00:39:25,907 --> 00:39:27,962
just the last two years . And I know 

1076
00:39:27,962 --> 00:39:30,073
that it's one of the really important 

1077
00:39:30,073 --> 00:39:32,073
things that we are able to do in in 

1078
00:39:32,073 --> 00:39:33,907
terms of providing assistance is 

1079
00:39:33,907 --> 00:39:35,907
training military officers . What's 

1080
00:39:35,907 --> 00:39:38,129
changed within this region due to those 

1081
00:39:38,129 --> 00:39:40,640
four coups , we now have less partners 

1082
00:39:40,640 --> 00:39:42,930
to be able to work with . Um I think as 

1083
00:39:42,940 --> 00:39:45,530
um Ambassador Fi noted uh the G five 

1084
00:39:45,530 --> 00:39:48,390
partners which included uh you know 

1085
00:39:48,390 --> 00:39:50,501
five of the civilian partners , we're 

1086
00:39:50,501 --> 00:39:52,557
now down to two that we can actively 

1087
00:39:52,557 --> 00:39:54,779
work with . Um and that training in our 

1088
00:39:54,779 --> 00:39:56,834
absence of being able to provide our 

1089
00:39:56,834 --> 00:39:59,001
influence through security cooperation 

1090
00:39:59,001 --> 00:40:01,057
and human rights training and values 

1091
00:40:01,057 --> 00:40:03,200
that we typically put forth um is now 

1092
00:40:03,200 --> 00:40:06,620
absent from the larger uh porous 

1093
00:40:06,620 --> 00:40:08,842
borders . I think what we are hoping to 

1094
00:40:08,842 --> 00:40:10,953
do is how I mentioned in my statement 

1095
00:40:10,953 --> 00:40:13,176
is work with those two partners that we 

1096
00:40:13,176 --> 00:40:15,287
still can work with to increase their 

1097
00:40:15,287 --> 00:40:17,509
involvement . Were also doubling down I 

1098
00:40:17,509 --> 00:40:19,731
think on other African partners who are 

1099
00:40:19,731 --> 00:40:21,509
willing and are capable and are 

1100
00:40:21,509 --> 00:40:23,453
interested in providing additional 

1101
00:40:23,453 --> 00:40:23,270
support to this hell . So we have 

1102
00:40:23,270 --> 00:40:25,270
partners in other regions um as you 

1103
00:40:25,270 --> 00:40:27,492
mentioned in the onset uh North African 

1104
00:40:27,492 --> 00:40:29,603
partners who have been doing training 

1105
00:40:29,603 --> 00:40:31,492
in the Sahel already with several 

1106
00:40:31,492 --> 00:40:33,659
partners and we're asking actively for 

1107
00:40:33,659 --> 00:40:35,770
them to take a stronger role in being 

1108
00:40:35,770 --> 00:40:37,826
able to provide what they've already 

1109
00:40:37,826 --> 00:40:39,714
learned from us in a secondary or 

1110
00:40:39,714 --> 00:40:41,659
tertiary training uh type security 

1111
00:40:41,659 --> 00:40:43,830
exporter . If you will model . Thank 

1112
00:40:43,830 --> 00:40:46,610
you . Um ambassador fee 

1113
00:40:46,760 --> 00:40:49,320
challenges with staffing at US embassy 

1114
00:40:49,320 --> 00:40:51,098
post on the seal is currently a 

1115
00:40:51,098 --> 00:40:53,431
significant challenge in implementing U . 

1116
00:40:53,431 --> 00:40:55,487
S . Policy in the seal and will be a 

1117
00:40:55,487 --> 00:40:57,542
major constraint to implementing the 

1118
00:40:57,542 --> 00:41:00,260
new interagency approval approved us to 

1119
00:41:00,260 --> 00:41:02,600
Hell Strategy . How is the State 

1120
00:41:02,600 --> 00:41:04,970
Department making certain that 

1121
00:41:04,980 --> 00:41:06,702
President biden's nominees for 

1122
00:41:06,702 --> 00:41:09,110
ambassadorial posts in the Sea Hill are 

1123
00:41:09,110 --> 00:41:12,050
well qualified with prior experience 

1124
00:41:12,060 --> 00:41:13,430
serving in the region . 

1125
00:41:19,010 --> 00:41:20,440
Are those from 

1126
00:41:28,410 --> 00:41:29,240
We are 

1127
00:41:36,210 --> 00:41:36,740
Empire 

1128
00:41:41,010 --> 00:41:43,230
four initiative . 

1129
00:41:45,010 --> 00:41:48,820
No . Mhm . 

1130
00:41:49,310 --> 00:41:50,740
Well , great . 

1131
00:41:53,410 --> 00:41:55,630
That sort of 

1132
00:41:57,910 --> 00:41:59,620
coast of South . Yeah . 

1133
00:42:02,900 --> 00:42:05,010
How ? Mhm 

1134
00:42:11,400 --> 00:42:12,020
accepted 

1135
00:42:15,800 --> 00:42:16,800
what ? 

1136
00:42:19,900 --> 00:42:23,610
Yeah . Yes . 

1137
00:42:31,560 --> 00:42:35,290
In terms of uh not having sufficient 

1138
00:42:35,290 --> 00:42:37,670
staff in the entire State Department as 

1139
00:42:37,670 --> 00:42:39,892
well as the specific challenges for the 

1140
00:42:39,892 --> 00:42:42,600
africa Bureau , as you're aware that 

1141
00:42:42,610 --> 00:42:44,777
what is known as the D committee , the 

1142
00:42:44,777 --> 00:42:46,570
Deputy's committee handles the 

1143
00:42:46,570 --> 00:42:50,210
selection of nominees uh for chief of 

1144
00:42:50,210 --> 00:42:52,720
mission and they look for diversity in 

1145
00:42:52,720 --> 00:42:56,320
background uh and in all in all ways 

1146
00:42:56,500 --> 00:42:58,830
uh in making those nominations that 

1147
00:42:58,830 --> 00:43:00,886
they present to the secretary to the 

1148
00:43:00,886 --> 00:43:02,680
president . Let me ask one more 

1149
00:43:02,680 --> 00:43:05,200
question with with regards to the State 

1150
00:43:05,200 --> 00:43:07,367
Department and how it is organized and 

1151
00:43:07,367 --> 00:43:09,311
how that may very well bear on the 

1152
00:43:09,311 --> 00:43:11,367
issues taking place in this the hell 

1153
00:43:11,367 --> 00:43:13,589
today . And in my opening statement , I 

1154
00:43:13,589 --> 00:43:15,422
laid out the differences between 

1155
00:43:15,422 --> 00:43:17,478
different organizations as to how we 

1156
00:43:17,478 --> 00:43:19,589
treat different geographical parts of 

1157
00:43:19,589 --> 00:43:21,644
africa . If you go back to 2011 when 

1158
00:43:21,644 --> 00:43:23,867
NATO began its campaign against Libya's 

1159
00:43:23,867 --> 00:43:26,180
Muammar , Gaddafi mali's government 

1160
00:43:26,180 --> 00:43:28,480
warned that Gaddafi's removal would 

1161
00:43:28,480 --> 00:43:31,130
destabilize mali Shortly after 

1162
00:43:31,130 --> 00:43:34,060
Gaddafi's fall in 2011 . Ethnic uh 

1163
00:43:34,070 --> 00:43:36,750
tuaregs who had served in Gaddafi's 

1164
00:43:36,750 --> 00:43:39,300
military returned to Mali joining an 

1165
00:43:39,300 --> 00:43:41,522
insurgency against Mali's government in 

1166
00:43:41,522 --> 00:43:43,633
January of 2012 . That was eventually 

1167
00:43:43,633 --> 00:43:47,030
co opted by Islamist groups . Does this 

1168
00:43:47,030 --> 00:43:49,197
experience provide any lessons learned 

1169
00:43:49,197 --> 00:43:51,252
with regard to how our North african 

1170
00:43:51,252 --> 00:43:53,720
policy can affect the Seal 

1171
00:43:55,800 --> 00:43:58,160
Senator , as I mentioned when I spoke 

1172
00:43:58,170 --> 00:44:00,003
to the chairman , I did a lot of 

1173
00:44:00,003 --> 00:44:02,170
research before I took this position . 

1174
00:44:02,170 --> 00:44:04,920
And I found that a f the africa Bureau 

1175
00:44:04,930 --> 00:44:07,263
used to be part of the N . E . A bureau , 

1176
00:44:07,263 --> 00:44:09,319
The Near Eastern and African Affairs 

1177
00:44:09,319 --> 00:44:11,374
Bureau and it was broken apart about 

1178
00:44:11,374 --> 00:44:13,486
the time of decolonization to reflect 

1179
00:44:13,486 --> 00:44:15,486
the interests and priorities of sub 

1180
00:44:15,486 --> 00:44:18,690
Saharan African nations absolutely that 

1181
00:44:18,700 --> 00:44:22,070
they overthrow of Gaddafi 

1182
00:44:22,080 --> 00:44:24,330
resulted in dramatic and negative 

1183
00:44:24,330 --> 00:44:26,274
impacts in the saddle and in North 

1184
00:44:26,274 --> 00:44:29,590
Africa . Uh So I absolutely agree with 

1185
00:44:29,600 --> 00:44:33,010
your concern about those outcomes . Um 

1186
00:44:33,020 --> 00:44:35,720
However , I think we have a very strong 

1187
00:44:35,720 --> 00:44:37,887
relationship with the N . E . A bureau 

1188
00:44:37,887 --> 00:44:40,570
and we are able to work together to 

1189
00:44:40,570 --> 00:44:43,140
look at the crosscutting issues . I 

1190
00:44:43,140 --> 00:44:45,810
meet regularly with the newly confirmed 

1191
00:44:45,810 --> 00:44:47,866
Assistant Secretary of State Barbara 

1192
00:44:47,866 --> 00:44:50,190
Leaf for Near Eastern affairs and our 

1193
00:44:50,190 --> 00:44:52,246
embassies are in regular contact and 

1194
00:44:52,246 --> 00:44:55,540
including travel back and forth uh to 

1195
00:44:55,540 --> 00:44:58,930
coordinate and collaborate on issues in 

1196
00:44:58,930 --> 00:45:01,097
mali . Specifically , we're looking at 

1197
00:45:01,097 --> 00:45:02,986
the implementation of the Algiers 

1198
00:45:02,986 --> 00:45:05,097
accord which resulted from the Tuareg 

1199
00:45:05,097 --> 00:45:07,130
rebellion . So it's absolutely 

1200
00:45:07,140 --> 00:45:09,490
important that we work together . Uh 

1201
00:45:09,500 --> 00:45:11,333
and I think this issue of how we 

1202
00:45:11,333 --> 00:45:13,222
organize ourselves has been under 

1203
00:45:13,222 --> 00:45:15,056
discussion in different ways for 

1204
00:45:15,056 --> 00:45:17,278
decades , but it's important that those 

1205
00:45:17,278 --> 00:45:19,333
of us in positions now work together 

1206
00:45:19,333 --> 00:45:21,500
continuously . Thank you . Thank you . 

1207
00:45:21,500 --> 00:45:23,500
Thank you Mr Chairman . Thank you , 

1208
00:45:23,500 --> 00:45:25,667
Senator Kaine . Thank you mr Chair and 

1209
00:45:25,667 --> 00:45:27,833
thank you to the witnesses MS Blyden . 

1210
00:45:27,833 --> 00:45:27,380
I think I'm going to focus on you 

1211
00:45:27,380 --> 00:45:29,602
because I'm an Armed Services committee 

1212
00:45:29,602 --> 00:45:31,658
member and these these are questions 

1213
00:45:31,658 --> 00:45:33,824
that might be more appropriate there . 

1214
00:45:33,824 --> 00:45:35,824
But I'm I'm curious . Um The French 

1215
00:45:35,824 --> 00:45:37,658
have been doing counterterrorism 

1216
00:45:37,658 --> 00:45:39,713
operations in Mali since 2013 . They 

1217
00:45:39,713 --> 00:45:41,880
have about 2000 troops there . They've 

1218
00:45:41,880 --> 00:45:44,047
announced this year that they're going 

1219
00:45:44,047 --> 00:45:43,910
to withdraw those troops because of 

1220
00:45:43,920 --> 00:45:45,870
conflicts between their operations 

1221
00:45:45,870 --> 00:45:48,160
there and the government of Mali . 

1222
00:45:48,190 --> 00:45:50,710
They're likely to redeploy some of 

1223
00:45:50,710 --> 00:45:53,110
those troops in where we have about 800 

1224
00:45:53,110 --> 00:45:55,520
troops . How is the withdrawal of 

1225
00:45:55,520 --> 00:45:58,070
french and Eu forces from mali likely 

1226
00:45:58,070 --> 00:45:59,970
to affect the U . S . Military 

1227
00:45:59,970 --> 00:46:03,740
operations in the region ? The 

1228
00:46:03,740 --> 00:46:07,020
shift in in the french , the 

1229
00:46:07,030 --> 00:46:10,350
location and the repositioning um is 

1230
00:46:10,360 --> 00:46:12,910
seen both as a challenge but I think 

1231
00:46:12,910 --> 00:46:15,132
it's also a positive . I think as we've 

1232
00:46:15,132 --> 00:46:17,021
talked about we see the spread uh 

1233
00:46:17,021 --> 00:46:19,188
moving towards the coastal west Africa 

1234
00:46:19,188 --> 00:46:20,854
countries and we're seeing an 

1235
00:46:20,854 --> 00:46:22,410
opportunity with the french 

1236
00:46:22,410 --> 00:46:24,521
repositioning to really rethink where 

1237
00:46:24,521 --> 00:46:26,688
it is that we might need bolstering of 

1238
00:46:26,688 --> 00:46:28,910
African partners to be able to continue 

1239
00:46:28,910 --> 00:46:31,243
to counter the violent extremist threat . 

1240
00:46:31,243 --> 00:46:33,410
And so the french are thinking through 

1241
00:46:33,410 --> 00:46:35,577
that with us , they're working with us 

1242
00:46:35,577 --> 00:46:37,632
and the positioning of where we have 

1243
00:46:37,632 --> 00:46:39,688
our troops to make sure that there's 

1244
00:46:39,688 --> 00:46:41,688
enough coverage between the African 

1245
00:46:41,688 --> 00:46:43,799
partners , the french operations that 

1246
00:46:43,799 --> 00:46:45,799
they're doing as well as looking at 

1247
00:46:45,799 --> 00:46:45,770
where the peacekeeping mission is in 

1248
00:46:45,770 --> 00:46:48,270
mali and um where African partners have 

1249
00:46:48,280 --> 00:46:50,336
provided their own initiatives to be 

1250
00:46:50,336 --> 00:46:52,630
able to , as I said , ensure we have 

1251
00:46:52,630 --> 00:46:55,200
coverage across the hall to try and 

1252
00:46:55,200 --> 00:46:57,422
prevent encounter what we see as a as a 

1253
00:46:57,422 --> 00:46:59,570
spread towards the laterals . I think 

1254
00:46:59,580 --> 00:47:02,020
our operations and the support that we 

1255
00:47:02,020 --> 00:47:04,610
provide will continue in a way but it 

1256
00:47:04,610 --> 00:47:06,666
will be spread more widely . I think 

1257
00:47:06,666 --> 00:47:08,832
across the number of partners who will 

1258
00:47:08,832 --> 00:47:11,190
be doing the work that they do . I 

1259
00:47:11,200 --> 00:47:13,311
don't want to take too long with this 

1260
00:47:13,311 --> 00:47:15,478
answer , but I do think it's important 

1261
00:47:15,478 --> 00:47:15,020
to note that there are other partners 

1262
00:47:15,030 --> 00:47:16,919
besides the french who we've been 

1263
00:47:16,919 --> 00:47:19,030
working with as well in this region . 

1264
00:47:19,030 --> 00:47:21,141
Task force to cuBA which has had some 

1265
00:47:21,141 --> 00:47:23,308
european allies as well . And they are 

1266
00:47:23,308 --> 00:47:25,419
also thinking about how we can ensure 

1267
00:47:25,419 --> 00:47:27,363
that we have enough coverage um to 

1268
00:47:27,363 --> 00:47:29,419
continue to prevent the spread . The 

1269
00:47:29,419 --> 00:47:31,641
second of the three goals you mentioned 

1270
00:47:31,641 --> 00:47:33,474
in terms of the National Defense 

1271
00:47:33,474 --> 00:47:35,530
strategy was shoring up partners and 

1272
00:47:35,530 --> 00:47:37,586
you testified the as sort of the The 

1273
00:47:37,586 --> 00:47:39,697
most solid partner in the region . So 

1274
00:47:39,697 --> 00:47:41,840
if we take the US forces about 800 

1275
00:47:41,840 --> 00:47:43,896
which is I think second highest only 

1276
00:47:43,896 --> 00:47:45,951
following Djibouti We take those 800 

1277
00:47:45,951 --> 00:47:48,173
forces and if some of the French forces 

1278
00:47:48,173 --> 00:47:50,507
come there to that can serve both goals . 

1279
00:47:50,507 --> 00:47:52,729
One and two of the three goals that you 

1280
00:47:52,729 --> 00:47:56,210
mentioned . I am interested In the 

1281
00:47:56,220 --> 00:47:58,387
following up on the deadly ambush that 

1282
00:47:58,387 --> 00:48:00,740
happened in in 2017 . US Army Green 

1283
00:48:00,740 --> 00:48:03,670
Berets lost their lives for troops from 

1284
00:48:04,150 --> 00:48:06,750
were killed . It was an unusual mission . 

1285
00:48:06,750 --> 00:48:08,970
It was an advise and assist training 

1286
00:48:08,970 --> 00:48:11,510
mission . There was not an expectation 

1287
00:48:11,510 --> 00:48:13,677
that it would be kind of in a conflict 

1288
00:48:13,677 --> 00:48:16,300
zone . The conflict developed the group 

1289
00:48:16,310 --> 00:48:19,330
that we you know that that killed our 

1290
00:48:19,330 --> 00:48:21,552
troops in were not was not a group that 

1291
00:48:21,552 --> 00:48:23,440
the US had designated as a as a 

1292
00:48:23,440 --> 00:48:26,480
terrorist group at that time . Um What 

1293
00:48:26,480 --> 00:48:28,850
has been the assessment or alteration 

1294
00:48:28,850 --> 00:48:30,739
or reassessment of the advise and 

1295
00:48:30,739 --> 00:48:34,240
assist missions in the Sahel following 

1296
00:48:34,240 --> 00:48:36,280
the death of these green braise 

1297
00:48:38,370 --> 00:48:40,537
senator , I would have to come back to 

1298
00:48:40,537 --> 00:48:42,592
you on an answer on that . Um As you 

1299
00:48:42,592 --> 00:48:44,703
know the the tongo tongo incident has 

1300
00:48:44,703 --> 00:48:47,320
been um researched and widely 

1301
00:48:47,330 --> 00:48:49,650
investigating to ensure that there has 

1302
00:48:49,650 --> 00:48:51,817
been accountability for the challenges 

1303
00:48:51,817 --> 00:48:53,983
that happened and occurred during that 

1304
00:48:53,983 --> 00:48:55,983
particular mission . But I would be 

1305
00:48:55,983 --> 00:48:57,983
remiss if I told you I knew exactly 

1306
00:48:57,983 --> 00:49:00,206
what the details of that that were . So 

1307
00:49:00,206 --> 00:48:59,990
I would like to take that question for 

1308
00:48:59,990 --> 00:49:02,212
the record if I um well we'll submit it 

1309
00:49:02,212 --> 00:49:04,157
in writing and in particular , I'm 

1310
00:49:04,157 --> 00:49:07,370
aware of some of the analysis of what 

1311
00:49:07,370 --> 00:49:09,148
happened . But I'm particularly 

1312
00:49:09,148 --> 00:49:11,259
interested in whether the D . O . D . 

1313
00:49:11,259 --> 00:49:13,640
Has done adjustments or alterations to 

1314
00:49:13,640 --> 00:49:15,790
the advise and assist missions in the 

1315
00:49:15,790 --> 00:49:17,860
region as a result of those lessons 

1316
00:49:17,860 --> 00:49:19,638
learned . So we'll do a written 

1317
00:49:19,638 --> 00:49:21,249
question for the record that 

1318
00:49:21,249 --> 00:49:23,471
specifically on that point with that mr 

1319
00:49:23,471 --> 00:49:26,780
chair , I yield back yes . 

1320
00:49:27,370 --> 00:49:28,000
Um 

1321
00:49:31,670 --> 00:49:34,790
So let me ask another question since I 

1322
00:49:34,790 --> 00:49:37,012
have the opportunity , there's no other 

1323
00:49:37,012 --> 00:49:39,012
members seeking recognition at this 

1324
00:49:39,012 --> 00:49:41,220
point . I wanna follow on on the 

1325
00:49:41,220 --> 00:49:43,710
ranking members comments about hiring 

1326
00:49:44,470 --> 00:49:48,250
ah numerous State Department direct 

1327
00:49:48,250 --> 00:49:50,472
hire positions at U . S . Embassies and 

1328
00:49:50,472 --> 00:49:52,270
the Sahel remain unfilled in 

1329
00:49:54,970 --> 00:49:57,370
For instance more than 40% of State 

1330
00:49:57,370 --> 00:49:59,314
Department direct hire jobs in our 

1331
00:49:59,314 --> 00:50:01,750
embassy are vacant . Overall in this 

1332
00:50:01,760 --> 00:50:04,680
held 22% of us direct hire positions 

1333
00:50:04,680 --> 00:50:08,630
remain unfilled . So how is it 

1334
00:50:08,630 --> 00:50:11,760
that regardless of uh the strategy that 

1335
00:50:11,770 --> 00:50:13,881
we put together and that hopefully we 

1336
00:50:13,881 --> 00:50:16,150
will mutually agree upon , we will be 

1337
00:50:16,150 --> 00:50:19,820
able to implement such a strategy . The 

1338
00:50:19,820 --> 00:50:23,760
absence of that many direct hires 

1339
00:50:23,770 --> 00:50:25,992
and the absence of full U . S . A . I . 

1340
00:50:25,992 --> 00:50:28,180
D . Missions in chad Burkina , Faso 

1341
00:50:28,180 --> 00:50:30,390
Mauritania . Uh In terms of 

1342
00:50:30,390 --> 00:50:33,280
implementing the strategy isn't it 

1343
00:50:33,280 --> 00:50:36,830
called for a a real 

1344
00:50:36,830 --> 00:50:40,690
commitment to beef up and to 

1345
00:50:40,690 --> 00:50:43,730
ensure that these direct hires and 

1346
00:50:43,730 --> 00:50:46,390
other important positions get staff in 

1347
00:50:46,390 --> 00:50:48,280
order to implement the strategy . 

1348
00:50:48,280 --> 00:50:50,480
Otherwise we have a strategy on paper 

1349
00:50:50,480 --> 00:50:52,036
but not an implementation . 

1350
00:50:54,320 --> 00:50:56,209
Mr . Chairman . We agree with you 

1351
00:50:56,209 --> 00:50:59,330
wholeheartedly . Um I simply can't do 

1352
00:50:59,330 --> 00:51:01,540
my job if we don't have people in the 

1353
00:51:01,540 --> 00:51:03,890
field and that's where I expect the 

1354
00:51:03,890 --> 00:51:07,250
fingertip uh confidence to understand 

1355
00:51:07,250 --> 00:51:08,806
what's going on and to make 

1356
00:51:08,806 --> 00:51:11,083
recommendations and to implement U . S . 

1357
00:51:11,083 --> 00:51:13,250
Policy effectively . I think there are 

1358
00:51:13,250 --> 00:51:15,640
many components to this problem set . I 

1359
00:51:15,640 --> 00:51:18,300
talked about the general insufficient 

1360
00:51:18,300 --> 00:51:20,300
staffing for the State Department . 

1361
00:51:20,300 --> 00:51:21,856
We've talked about what the 

1362
00:51:21,856 --> 00:51:23,911
administration is trying to do uh to 

1363
00:51:23,911 --> 00:51:25,967
compensate for previous years . That 

1364
00:51:25,967 --> 00:51:28,022
led us to that deficit . I've talked 

1365
00:51:28,022 --> 00:51:29,967
about the challenges some of those 

1366
00:51:29,967 --> 00:51:32,022
percentages you are referring to our 

1367
00:51:32,022 --> 00:51:35,000
specific specialties like um uh medical 

1368
00:51:35,000 --> 00:51:38,920
personnel or um uh I . T . Personnel 

1369
00:51:38,930 --> 00:51:41,390
very hard to compete in the current 

1370
00:51:41,390 --> 00:51:43,600
environment . We also lost a lot of 

1371
00:51:43,600 --> 00:51:45,770
councilor officers because we've tied 

1372
00:51:45,960 --> 00:51:48,990
the staffing of our counselors . Cohn 

1373
00:51:49,000 --> 00:51:51,430
to visa fees and visa fees went down 

1374
00:51:51,430 --> 00:51:54,250
during the covid era . Um We're missing 

1375
00:51:54,250 --> 00:51:56,417
chief submission and a lot of posts as 

1376
00:51:56,417 --> 00:51:58,528
you know chief submission are one way 

1377
00:51:58,528 --> 00:52:01,460
to attract and invigorate uh post 

1378
00:52:01,470 --> 00:52:04,620
staffing morale . And uh and then there 

1379
00:52:04,620 --> 00:52:06,509
are steps we can take that . I've 

1380
00:52:06,509 --> 00:52:08,342
talked to you about that . We're 

1381
00:52:08,342 --> 00:52:10,453
working on to increase incentives and 

1382
00:52:10,453 --> 00:52:12,770
to adjust the way in which we recruit 

1383
00:52:12,850 --> 00:52:16,370
for for those . So that seems to be 

1384
00:52:16,380 --> 00:52:18,970
uh the uh there needs to be a 

1385
00:52:18,970 --> 00:52:21,400
commitment from the top to ensure that 

1386
00:52:21,400 --> 00:52:23,760
this happens administrator . How about 

1387
00:52:23,770 --> 00:52:27,670
A . I . D . Thank you very much . Um 

1388
00:52:28,550 --> 00:52:30,606
as the secretary alluded to , it's a 

1389
00:52:30,606 --> 00:52:33,880
complex problem . Those vacancies 

1390
00:52:35,050 --> 00:52:37,161
are partly due that we have many more 

1391
00:52:37,161 --> 00:52:39,050
positions around the world and we 

1392
00:52:39,050 --> 00:52:41,217
actually have foreign service officers 

1393
00:52:41,217 --> 00:52:43,328
to fill those positions for a variety 

1394
00:52:43,328 --> 00:52:45,272
of reasons . So it's not as though 

1395
00:52:45,272 --> 00:52:47,439
they're not in this a hell but there's 

1396
00:52:47,439 --> 00:52:49,383
somewhere else . There just aren't 

1397
00:52:49,383 --> 00:52:51,606
enough qualified staff and senator . As 

1398
00:52:51,606 --> 00:52:51,510
you mentioned it's not just having the 

1399
00:52:51,510 --> 00:52:53,621
right having people in those places . 

1400
00:52:53,621 --> 00:52:55,510
We want the right people in those 

1401
00:52:55,510 --> 00:52:57,930
places . So that's where we are excited 

1402
00:52:57,930 --> 00:52:59,819
to be having a conversation about 

1403
00:52:59,819 --> 00:53:02,097
possible additional hiring authorities , 

1404
00:53:02,097 --> 00:53:03,874
other mechanisms . We are doing 

1405
00:53:03,874 --> 00:53:06,041
everything we can to hire more foreign 

1406
00:53:06,041 --> 00:53:07,930
service officers after what was a 

1407
00:53:07,930 --> 00:53:07,830
hiring freeze in the last 

1408
00:53:07,830 --> 00:53:10,040
administration that that affected the 

1409
00:53:10,040 --> 00:53:13,230
entire throughput of at various levels . 

1410
00:53:13,240 --> 00:53:16,240
Um , so I could not agree more that we 

1411
00:53:16,240 --> 00:53:18,810
want the right people and more of them 

1412
00:53:18,820 --> 00:53:21,153
in the region to implement the strategy . 

1413
00:53:21,153 --> 00:53:22,876
Seems to me that when you have 

1414
00:53:22,876 --> 00:53:26,790
difficulty in finding the right people 

1415
00:53:26,790 --> 00:53:28,750
and the people necessary that you 

1416
00:53:28,750 --> 00:53:30,583
create some type of incentive to 

1417
00:53:30,583 --> 00:53:32,806
attract the right people that maybe you 

1418
00:53:32,806 --> 00:53:34,694
normally don't do . But one other 

1419
00:53:34,694 --> 00:53:36,806
question , I'm deeply concerned about 

1420
00:53:36,806 --> 00:53:36,360
the negative influence of Russian 

1421
00:53:36,360 --> 00:53:38,820
mercenaries and the Wagner group in 

1422
00:53:38,820 --> 00:53:41,390
mali and across the Sahel . The draft 

1423
00:53:41,390 --> 00:53:43,501
strategy acknowledges the seriousness 

1424
00:53:43,501 --> 00:53:45,390
of this problem , but in the most 

1425
00:53:45,390 --> 00:53:47,668
recent State Department budget request , 

1426
00:53:47,668 --> 00:53:49,890
it doesn't appear to be a line item for 

1427
00:53:49,890 --> 00:53:52,112
countering Russia's malign influence in 

1428
00:53:52,112 --> 00:53:54,279
the Sahel . So , what actions are each 

1429
00:53:54,279 --> 00:53:56,250
of your agencies taking to counter 

1430
00:53:56,260 --> 00:53:58,316
Russia propaganda ? And the Wagner's 

1431
00:53:58,316 --> 00:54:00,690
group influence in mali . Is there a 

1432
00:54:00,690 --> 00:54:02,920
specific fund to support countering 

1433
00:54:02,920 --> 00:54:04,930
malign influence in Africa and the 

1434
00:54:04,930 --> 00:54:07,850
budget request ? Um , I'm trying to 

1435
00:54:07,850 --> 00:54:10,072
understand how we're gonna do this , we 

1436
00:54:10,072 --> 00:54:12,128
recognize as a problem , what are we 

1437
00:54:12,128 --> 00:54:13,406
going to do about it ? 

1438
00:54:18,140 --> 00:54:20,390
Some of the steps uh , that are under 

1439
00:54:20,390 --> 00:54:22,780
consideration um , and actual planning 

1440
00:54:22,790 --> 00:54:25,230
uh , include trying to dry up the 

1441
00:54:25,230 --> 00:54:27,640
source of financing . So looking at 

1442
00:54:27,640 --> 00:54:30,000
possible sanctions , looking at 

1443
00:54:30,000 --> 00:54:32,170
possible non traditional measures such 

1444
00:54:32,170 --> 00:54:36,080
as um the illegal export 

1445
00:54:36,080 --> 00:54:38,950
of gold , which is something that is of 

1446
00:54:38,960 --> 00:54:41,071
great interest to Wagner , How can we 

1447
00:54:41,071 --> 00:54:43,910
address those concerns , were looking 

1448
00:54:43,910 --> 00:54:46,020
at deepening our exchange of 

1449
00:54:46,020 --> 00:54:48,242
information with african governments to 

1450
00:54:48,242 --> 00:54:50,464
make sure they understand fully what we 

1451
00:54:50,464 --> 00:54:52,576
understand about the impact of Wagner 

1452
00:54:52,576 --> 00:54:55,380
and a third element uh which are bureau 

1453
00:54:55,380 --> 00:54:57,047
political military Affairs is 

1454
00:54:57,047 --> 00:55:00,270
undertaking is trying to develop other 

1455
00:55:00,270 --> 00:55:02,610
options for security assistance . Were 

1456
00:55:02,610 --> 00:55:04,832
the best but were expensive . And we're 

1457
00:55:04,832 --> 00:55:06,999
slow uh and sometimes quite rightly as 

1458
00:55:06,999 --> 00:55:09,332
it has been illustrated in this hearing , 

1459
00:55:09,332 --> 00:55:11,620
we suspend security assistance to 

1460
00:55:11,620 --> 00:55:14,190
reflect our values . Uh so we want to 

1461
00:55:14,200 --> 00:55:16,550
deter governments in the region from 

1462
00:55:16,560 --> 00:55:18,338
turning to Wagner to fill their 

1463
00:55:18,338 --> 00:55:20,393
security needs . So we're looking to 

1464
00:55:20,393 --> 00:55:22,116
see what we can do in terms of 

1465
00:55:22,116 --> 00:55:24,004
developing alternative sources of 

1466
00:55:24,004 --> 00:55:26,060
security systems . So , so those are 

1467
00:55:26,060 --> 00:55:28,060
some of the 33 areas in which we're 

1468
00:55:28,060 --> 00:55:30,282
trying to work to address the problem . 

1469
00:55:30,282 --> 00:55:32,616
Secretary for the Department of Defense , 

1470
00:55:32,616 --> 00:55:35,210
we've had legislation 13 32 which was 

1471
00:55:35,210 --> 00:55:38,000
in this year's NBA which provides 

1472
00:55:38,020 --> 00:55:40,560
funding to both South Command africom 

1473
00:55:40,560 --> 00:55:42,782
to counter strategic competition on the 

1474
00:55:42,782 --> 00:55:44,900
continent . And specifically working 

1475
00:55:44,900 --> 00:55:47,010
looking at china and also the Wagner 

1476
00:55:47,010 --> 00:55:49,860
group and uh mali and across the Sahel . 

1477
00:55:50,240 --> 00:55:53,980
Mhm . And we have global resources 

1478
00:55:54,020 --> 00:55:56,076
towards disinformation . But in this 

1479
00:55:56,076 --> 00:55:58,890
hell specifically where disinformation , 

1480
00:55:58,900 --> 00:56:00,344
including Rush pro Russia 

1481
00:56:00,344 --> 00:56:02,510
disinformation was a problem for some 

1482
00:56:02,510 --> 00:56:05,080
time in mali , that problem became 

1483
00:56:05,090 --> 00:56:07,540
exponentially larger . Once Faulkner 

1484
00:56:07,540 --> 00:56:10,050
group arrived and once the french left , 

1485
00:56:10,730 --> 00:56:12,897
I would never have thought I would see 

1486
00:56:12,897 --> 00:56:14,952
the day where people in Burkina Faso 

1487
00:56:14,952 --> 00:56:17,090
and Mali were waving pictures of 

1488
00:56:17,090 --> 00:56:19,300
Richard Wagner , a German composer who 

1489
00:56:19,300 --> 00:56:22,950
died in 1883 as some sort of hero . So 

1490
00:56:22,950 --> 00:56:24,894
we immediately pivoted some of our 

1491
00:56:24,894 --> 00:56:26,783
civil society programs , programs 

1492
00:56:26,783 --> 00:56:28,783
working with youth and working with 

1493
00:56:28,783 --> 00:56:30,728
civil society on elections towards 

1494
00:56:30,728 --> 00:56:32,894
disinformation . We're about to send a 

1495
00:56:32,894 --> 00:56:35,430
C . N . Up to you all for additional 

1496
00:56:35,430 --> 00:56:38,320
$5.5 million molly specific . That is 

1497
00:56:38,320 --> 00:56:40,520
for tracking disinformation , the 

1498
00:56:40,520 --> 00:56:42,687
production of responsible production , 

1499
00:56:42,690 --> 00:56:45,970
responsible consumption of information 

1500
00:56:45,980 --> 00:56:47,980
and also a very robust monitoring , 

1501
00:56:47,980 --> 00:56:50,202
evaluation and learning components . So 

1502
00:56:50,202 --> 00:56:52,424
we can learn from this project as we go 

1503
00:56:52,424 --> 00:56:54,591
to other countries and spread that out 

1504
00:56:54,591 --> 00:56:56,591
because unfortunately I think we're 

1505
00:56:56,591 --> 00:56:58,647
stuck with this information problems 

1506
00:56:58,647 --> 00:56:58,540
for quite some time . Look forward to 

1507
00:56:58,540 --> 00:56:59,720
seeing senator coons 

1508
00:57:02,830 --> 00:57:05,370
around . I am very encouraged by the 

1509
00:57:05,380 --> 00:57:09,280
level concerning persistence 

1510
00:57:09,280 --> 00:57:11,169
here and by the engagement by the 

1511
00:57:11,169 --> 00:57:13,340
administration , the release of the 

1512
00:57:13,890 --> 00:57:15,946
strategy , by the administration for 

1513
00:57:15,946 --> 00:57:18,057
how to deal with this region . Um and 

1514
00:57:18,057 --> 00:57:19,946
as each of you referenced in your 

1515
00:57:19,946 --> 00:57:22,112
testimony , the global fragility act , 

1516
00:57:22,112 --> 00:57:24,334
which I worked on for a number of years 

1517
00:57:24,334 --> 00:57:26,557
with members of this committee um calls 

1518
00:57:26,557 --> 00:57:29,190
for a coordinated strategic approach to 

1519
00:57:29,200 --> 00:57:31,320
challenge is very similar to what we 

1520
00:57:31,320 --> 00:57:33,042
see in the sale challenges the 

1521
00:57:33,042 --> 00:57:35,480
fragility where we need to work across 

1522
00:57:35,480 --> 00:57:37,313
the silos of defense development 

1523
00:57:37,313 --> 00:57:40,820
diplomacy and bring in other partners , 

1524
00:57:40,830 --> 00:57:43,250
not just european partners , regional 

1525
00:57:43,250 --> 00:57:45,306
partners to work with nations on the 

1526
00:57:45,306 --> 00:57:47,306
ground who are having challenges to 

1527
00:57:47,306 --> 00:57:49,528
deliver not just the right strategy but 

1528
00:57:49,528 --> 00:57:51,750
the right people from the United States 

1529
00:57:51,750 --> 00:57:54,083
and to bring in Ngos and other partners . 

1530
00:57:54,083 --> 00:57:56,390
So I'd be interested in your view . The 

1531
00:57:56,390 --> 00:57:58,501
Global fragility Act did not identify 

1532
00:57:58,501 --> 00:58:00,860
this . How identified of the countries 

1533
00:58:00,870 --> 00:58:03,740
of the jeez I'm sorry , could any of 

1534
00:58:03,740 --> 00:58:07,710
you hear me ? Thank you . I don't think 

1535
00:58:07,710 --> 00:58:10,850
I've done that in a decade . Um we're 

1536
00:58:10,850 --> 00:58:12,794
usually the ones saying please the 

1537
00:58:12,794 --> 00:58:15,017
microphone . Um so the Global fragility 

1538
00:58:15,017 --> 00:58:17,800
Act based on plan Colombia and the 

1539
00:58:17,800 --> 00:58:20,022
experience of many who served before me 

1540
00:58:20,022 --> 00:58:23,320
of investing in stabilizing at 1.1 of 

1541
00:58:23,320 --> 00:58:25,209
the most fragile countries in the 

1542
00:58:25,209 --> 00:58:27,431
Western hemisphere and gradually moving 

1543
00:58:27,431 --> 00:58:29,598
through a coordinated strategy towards 

1544
00:58:29,598 --> 00:58:32,100
a less conflict ridden country . Um 

1545
00:58:32,110 --> 00:58:34,110
There are already ways in which the 

1546
00:58:34,110 --> 00:58:36,110
conflict and the instability in the 

1547
00:58:36,110 --> 00:58:38,110
Sahel are leaching into each of the 

1548
00:58:38,110 --> 00:58:40,277
coastal countries of West africa . But 

1549
00:58:40,277 --> 00:58:42,443
taking that general approach , hearing 

1550
00:58:42,443 --> 00:58:44,443
the questions of the members of the 

1551
00:58:44,443 --> 00:58:46,499
committee , how are we going to work 

1552
00:58:46,499 --> 00:58:48,330
better together as a country in 

1553
00:58:48,330 --> 00:58:50,410
addressing the pressing the critical 

1554
00:58:50,480 --> 00:58:53,080
governance , development and security 

1555
00:58:53,080 --> 00:58:55,040
needs of countries like mali and 

1556
00:58:55,040 --> 00:58:58,270
Burkina . Um How are we sustaining any 

1557
00:58:58,280 --> 00:59:01,290
coordinated regional strategy and what 

1558
00:59:01,290 --> 00:59:03,457
do you most need from us ? I happen to 

1559
00:59:03,457 --> 00:59:05,012
also chair an appropriation 

1560
00:59:05,012 --> 00:59:07,240
subcommittee and spoke as recently as 

1561
00:59:07,240 --> 00:59:09,407
last night to the administrator of U . 

1562
00:59:09,407 --> 00:59:11,407
S . C . I . D . About some of these 

1563
00:59:11,407 --> 00:59:13,573
hiring flexibilities . We want to make 

1564
00:59:13,573 --> 00:59:15,296
sure that you're communicating 

1565
00:59:15,296 --> 00:59:17,296
effectively with this committee and 

1566
00:59:17,296 --> 00:59:19,296
with other committees about exactly 

1567
00:59:19,296 --> 00:59:21,296
what do you need to deliver to meet 

1568
00:59:21,296 --> 00:59:23,650
this moment if you would please in 

1569
00:59:23,650 --> 00:59:26,070
order . Um I'd just be interested in 

1570
00:59:26,070 --> 00:59:28,600
hearing how what is our strategy for 

1571
00:59:28,600 --> 00:59:31,120
engagement with our partners and allies 

1572
00:59:31,130 --> 00:59:33,820
in the region and the other donors and 

1573
00:59:33,820 --> 00:59:36,042
the other countries that are capable of 

1574
00:59:36,042 --> 00:59:38,209
delivering development , diplomacy and 

1575
00:59:38,209 --> 00:59:41,360
security assistance . Senator , thank 

1576
00:59:41,360 --> 00:59:44,180
you for your leadership and interest in 

1577
00:59:44,190 --> 00:59:47,140
innovating our policy in this area . Uh 

1578
00:59:47,150 --> 00:59:49,094
One of the other components of the 

1579
00:59:49,094 --> 00:59:51,730
Sahel strategy uh when I first as I 

1580
00:59:51,730 --> 00:59:53,841
described , when I first took on this 

1581
00:59:53,841 --> 00:59:55,841
task and started looking at it is I 

1582
00:59:55,841 --> 00:59:58,063
recommended that you say join the Sahel 

1583
00:59:58,063 --> 01:00:00,590
alliance , which is a grouping of 

1584
01:00:00,590 --> 01:00:02,800
donors to make sure that we were 

1585
01:00:02,810 --> 01:00:05,040
working in partnership as this 

1586
01:00:05,040 --> 01:00:06,818
committee has directed us to do 

1587
01:00:06,818 --> 01:00:09,040
particularly with our european partners 

1588
01:00:09,040 --> 01:00:11,151
in this hell . I don't know if you've 

1589
01:00:11,151 --> 01:00:13,040
been informed , but you know , we 

1590
01:00:13,040 --> 01:00:15,262
recently had a global Chiefs of Mission 

1591
01:00:15,262 --> 01:00:17,940
conference and we uh we had a seminar 

1592
01:00:18,110 --> 01:00:20,590
with all of us involved in implementing 

1593
01:00:20,600 --> 01:00:22,600
the global fragility act in coastal 

1594
01:00:22,600 --> 01:00:25,250
West Africa . Uh and everyone is 

1595
01:00:25,250 --> 01:00:27,028
extremely excited about the new 

1596
01:00:27,028 --> 01:00:29,139
flexibilities and the new resources . 

1597
01:00:29,139 --> 01:00:31,410
Uh and there are detailed plans that 

1598
01:00:31,410 --> 01:00:33,577
have been set forward , and one of the 

1599
01:00:33,910 --> 01:00:36,450
key components of the conversation was 

1600
01:00:36,450 --> 01:00:38,117
how to make sure that we stay 

1601
01:00:38,117 --> 01:00:40,228
coordinated and knitted up and how we 

1602
01:00:40,228 --> 01:00:42,410
can demonstrate that we're using those 

1603
01:00:42,410 --> 01:00:44,577
resources and flexibilities , not only 

1604
01:00:44,577 --> 01:00:46,466
to good effect in the Sahel , but 

1605
01:00:46,466 --> 01:00:48,521
perhaps to come back to to recommend 

1606
01:00:48,521 --> 01:00:50,360
maybe how to carry over uh that 

1607
01:00:50,360 --> 01:00:52,830
approach to other problem sets . Of 

1608
01:00:52,830 --> 01:00:54,774
course this hell is in a different 

1609
01:00:54,774 --> 01:00:56,608
place than Coastal West africa . 

1610
01:00:56,608 --> 01:00:58,790
Regrettably in a worse place . We have 

1611
01:00:58,800 --> 01:01:00,967
frankly a little bit more to work with 

1612
01:01:00,967 --> 01:01:03,078
in terms of partners and capabilities 

1613
01:01:03,078 --> 01:01:05,300
and in coastal West Africa . So I think 

1614
01:01:05,300 --> 01:01:09,180
it's a good first uh uh if you will 

1615
01:01:09,180 --> 01:01:12,280
demonstration effect of the approach , 

1616
01:01:12,290 --> 01:01:15,260
I have joked with rob that I wish state 

1617
01:01:15,260 --> 01:01:17,920
had an O . T . I . I have been looking 

1618
01:01:17,920 --> 01:01:19,920
very hard at the challenges we have 

1619
01:01:19,920 --> 01:01:23,300
faced in in uh in the saddle uh and 

1620
01:01:23,310 --> 01:01:26,230
elsewhere in Africa in terms of uh 

1621
01:01:26,240 --> 01:01:29,260
military coups and how can we respond ? 

1622
01:01:29,510 --> 01:01:31,970
Are we agile enough . Do we have the 

1623
01:01:31,970 --> 01:01:33,914
right staff , Do we have the right 

1624
01:01:33,914 --> 01:01:36,137
resources to go in and help governments 

1625
01:01:36,137 --> 01:01:38,250
put things back on track to take 

1626
01:01:38,260 --> 01:01:41,020
actions like the ones rob referred to 

1627
01:01:41,030 --> 01:01:43,810
with regard to um countering 

1628
01:01:43,810 --> 01:01:45,900
disinformation . So if you're 

1629
01:01:45,910 --> 01:01:47,966
interested in where it's hard for us 

1630
01:01:47,966 --> 01:01:50,188
for me for example , to predict chad it 

1631
01:01:50,188 --> 01:01:52,390
looks to me like they may get to this 

1632
01:01:52,390 --> 01:01:54,501
agreement but I can't really tell you 

1633
01:01:54,501 --> 01:01:56,723
where they'll be in three months or six 

1634
01:01:56,723 --> 01:01:58,668
months . Uh So sometimes it's hard 

1635
01:01:58,668 --> 01:02:01,250
given our budget planning cycle uh to 

1636
01:02:01,260 --> 01:02:05,010
um be adequately prepared for 

1637
01:02:05,020 --> 01:02:07,187
a very fluid and dynamic environment . 

1638
01:02:07,187 --> 01:02:09,298
Thank you . Be happy to talk with you 

1639
01:02:09,298 --> 01:02:11,520
about that in more detail . Mr Chairman 

1640
01:02:11,520 --> 01:02:13,742
can the other to answer Or should we if 

1641
01:02:13,742 --> 01:02:15,964
you could briefly Sen . 1st . Thank you 

1642
01:02:15,964 --> 01:02:17,909
so much for your leadership on the 

1643
01:02:17,909 --> 01:02:19,970
Global Fragility Act . My team is on 

1644
01:02:19,970 --> 01:02:22,026
point at us a d for working with our 

1645
01:02:22,026 --> 01:02:24,260
regional bureaus on implementation of 

1646
01:02:24,260 --> 01:02:26,650
the strategy . I can talk for a long 

1647
01:02:26,650 --> 01:02:28,761
time . You don't have a lot of time . 

1648
01:02:28,761 --> 01:02:30,761
We would love to spend time getting 

1649
01:02:30,761 --> 01:02:33,094
into detail on exactly what we're doing , 

1650
01:02:33,094 --> 01:02:35,317
how we're doing it , what we're looking 

1651
01:02:35,317 --> 01:02:37,428
to do and what we need but we do need 

1652
01:02:37,428 --> 01:02:39,539
additional flexibility . Thank you so 

1653
01:02:39,539 --> 01:02:41,539
much all of you for the flexibility 

1654
01:02:41,539 --> 01:02:43,539
we've been given not just under the 

1655
01:02:43,539 --> 01:02:45,706
terms of G . F . A . But lately but we 

1656
01:02:45,706 --> 01:02:47,761
could always use more much more . We 

1657
01:02:47,761 --> 01:02:49,983
need to do more to get your trust so we 

1658
01:02:49,983 --> 01:02:52,039
can have more flexible resources and 

1659
01:02:52,039 --> 01:02:54,206
keep that communication going . That's 

1660
01:02:54,206 --> 01:02:56,261
something we would like to have from 

1661
01:02:56,261 --> 01:02:58,372
you . That partnership . We need your 

1662
01:02:58,372 --> 01:03:00,428
patience 10 years is a long time but 

1663
01:03:00,428 --> 01:03:02,539
we're still 23 a half , You know , 10 

1664
01:03:02,539 --> 01:03:04,761
year plans in our own country and we're 

1665
01:03:04,761 --> 01:03:06,872
not sure what the constitution always 

1666
01:03:06,872 --> 01:03:09,206
means when an agreement with each other . 

1667
01:03:09,206 --> 01:03:11,094
So I love that you reference plan 

1668
01:03:11,094 --> 01:03:13,317
Colombia Colombia is an example I often 

1669
01:03:13,317 --> 01:03:15,770
use because once security was there and 

1670
01:03:15,770 --> 01:03:17,826
the political will was there and the 

1671
01:03:17,826 --> 01:03:20,100
strategic patience was there ? Our 

1672
01:03:20,110 --> 01:03:22,110
government worked in an interagency 

1673
01:03:22,110 --> 01:03:24,830
fashion . That is extremely rare . That 

1674
01:03:24,830 --> 01:03:27,220
is what we need to do and have to do if 

1675
01:03:27,220 --> 01:03:29,331
we're gonna make the global gradually 

1676
01:03:29,331 --> 01:03:31,498
act succeed the way we need it to be . 

1677
01:03:31,498 --> 01:03:35,400
Thank you . Uh I'll be even briefer 

1678
01:03:35,410 --> 01:03:39,280
uh flexibility of funding and resources , 

1679
01:03:39,280 --> 01:03:41,280
I think also giving a little bit of 

1680
01:03:41,280 --> 01:03:43,780
latitude on time . I had the privilege 

1681
01:03:43,780 --> 01:03:45,947
of working on plan Colombia when I sat 

1682
01:03:45,947 --> 01:03:48,190
on the hill um and used that to work 

1683
01:03:48,190 --> 01:03:50,357
with a number of congressional members 

1684
01:03:50,357 --> 01:03:52,900
on the House Armed Services and fact to 

1685
01:03:52,900 --> 01:03:55,870
develop an Africa Act um that I think 

1686
01:03:55,880 --> 01:03:57,880
mirrored what plan Colombia did . I 

1687
01:03:57,880 --> 01:04:00,102
think the inter agency coordination and 

1688
01:04:00,102 --> 01:04:02,324
the ability to be able to look out over 

1689
01:04:02,324 --> 01:04:04,436
a period of time is something that is 

1690
01:04:04,436 --> 01:04:06,491
needed for Africa as well . And so I 

1691
01:04:06,491 --> 01:04:08,547
would encourage you to maybe revisit 

1692
01:04:08,547 --> 01:04:10,769
that legislation um that was introduced 

1693
01:04:10,769 --> 01:04:13,480
a few years ago um to see if it could 

1694
01:04:13,490 --> 01:04:15,657
be something that could be employed in 

1695
01:04:15,657 --> 01:04:17,768
the african context as well . I think 

1696
01:04:17,768 --> 01:04:19,934
from a security side um coordination , 

1697
01:04:19,934 --> 01:04:22,157
the U . S . Department of Defense has a 

1698
01:04:22,157 --> 01:04:24,157
ability in the US in general has an 

1699
01:04:24,157 --> 01:04:26,323
ability to be able to convene partners 

1700
01:04:26,323 --> 01:04:28,490
together and that's a strength that we 

1701
01:04:28,490 --> 01:04:30,657
have that um I think will enable us to 

1702
01:04:30,657 --> 01:04:29,990
be able to be more successful in the 

1703
01:04:29,990 --> 01:04:32,490
african context . Thank you all very 

1704
01:04:32,490 --> 01:04:34,470
much . I am very concerned about 

1705
01:04:34,470 --> 01:04:36,581
Russian disinformation , particularly 

1706
01:04:36,581 --> 01:04:38,850
around Ukraine . Um and whether or not 

1707
01:04:38,850 --> 01:04:41,390
it is their aggression or our sanctions 

1708
01:04:41,390 --> 01:04:43,880
that are causing significant hunger and 

1709
01:04:43,880 --> 01:04:45,850
development disruptions around the 

1710
01:04:45,850 --> 01:04:48,017
world and look forward to working with 

1711
01:04:48,017 --> 01:04:50,239
all of you . Uh , and your agencies are 

1712
01:04:50,239 --> 01:04:52,406
around that challenge . Thank you very 

1713
01:04:52,406 --> 01:04:51,950
much for your forbearance . Mr . 

1714
01:04:51,950 --> 01:04:54,172
Chairman . Just a comment before I turn 

1715
01:04:54,172 --> 01:04:56,320
to Senator rounds . Uh , you know , 

1716
01:04:56,320 --> 01:04:59,530
there's always the friction b I'm sorry , 

1717
01:04:59,530 --> 01:05:01,863
I'll turn the center from Holland first . 

1718
01:05:01,863 --> 01:05:05,370
Um there's always the friction of you 

1719
01:05:05,370 --> 01:05:08,570
want flexibility , but we need 

1720
01:05:08,570 --> 01:05:10,230
justification because we are 

1721
01:05:10,230 --> 01:05:13,130
responsible for the , you know , 

1722
01:05:13,130 --> 01:05:15,297
fiduciary responsibilities here to the 

1723
01:05:15,297 --> 01:05:16,797
american people as well as 

1724
01:05:16,797 --> 01:05:18,852
understanding the policy . So if you 

1725
01:05:18,852 --> 01:05:22,140
help us understand what you're going to 

1726
01:05:22,140 --> 01:05:24,660
do with the flexibility and give us 

1727
01:05:24,670 --> 01:05:27,260
some universe of of what it is , the 

1728
01:05:27,260 --> 01:05:29,482
type of thing you're gonna do , it will 

1729
01:05:29,482 --> 01:05:31,816
be far more helpful to achieve the goal . 

1730
01:05:31,816 --> 01:05:33,927
Senator Van Hollen , thank you , Mr . 

1731
01:05:33,927 --> 01:05:35,982
Chairman , thank all of you for your 

1732
01:05:35,982 --> 01:05:38,204
your testimony and for your service . I 

1733
01:05:38,204 --> 01:05:40,316
know there's been a lot of focus , at 

1734
01:05:40,316 --> 01:05:42,482
least conceptually on the new strategy 

1735
01:05:42,482 --> 01:05:44,560
and I've long been concerned that we 

1736
01:05:44,560 --> 01:05:46,449
don't strike the adequate balance 

1737
01:05:46,449 --> 01:05:48,393
between going after terrorists and 

1738
01:05:48,590 --> 01:05:52,060
investing in long term stability in 

1739
01:05:52,060 --> 01:05:54,780
terms of democracy and development . So 

1740
01:05:54,780 --> 01:05:57,520
I'm pleased to see this strategy being 

1741
01:05:57,520 --> 01:06:00,140
unfolded . Um , I would like to get a 

1742
01:06:00,140 --> 01:06:02,440
little more granularity . Maybe . Um 

1743
01:06:02,450 --> 01:06:04,450
Assistant Secretary fee , you could 

1744
01:06:04,450 --> 01:06:06,506
give me an example whether it's mali 

1745
01:06:06,506 --> 01:06:08,890
burkina faso chad , how this , how 

1746
01:06:08,890 --> 01:06:10,779
we're , how we're doing something 

1747
01:06:10,779 --> 01:06:13,580
different because of this new strategy 

1748
01:06:13,590 --> 01:06:15,479
in one of those countries or pick 

1749
01:06:15,479 --> 01:06:17,830
another example . Just a little bit of 

1750
01:06:17,830 --> 01:06:19,941
meat on the bone would be helpful , I 

1751
01:06:19,941 --> 01:06:23,260
think in terms of aligning resources 

1752
01:06:23,270 --> 01:06:27,250
with the new strategy . Great . 

1753
01:06:27,260 --> 01:06:29,950
What we are trying to do right now in 

1754
01:06:29,950 --> 01:06:33,520
discussions about FY22 is work within 

1755
01:06:33,520 --> 01:06:36,200
the administration to reallocate 

1756
01:06:36,200 --> 01:06:38,830
resources into the democracy and 

1757
01:06:38,830 --> 01:06:41,300
governance space . So we've talked a 

1758
01:06:41,300 --> 01:06:43,720
little bit here about the difficulty of 

1759
01:06:43,720 --> 01:06:45,942
working with military led governments , 

1760
01:06:45,942 --> 01:06:47,887
but there are many components of a 

1761
01:06:47,887 --> 01:06:50,109
society that supported transition women 

1762
01:06:50,109 --> 01:06:53,290
active NGO activists , uh constitution 

1763
01:06:53,290 --> 01:06:55,179
drafting exercises those types of 

1764
01:06:55,179 --> 01:06:57,123
things . So we're looking to apply 

1765
01:06:57,123 --> 01:06:59,940
those resources uh to implementing 

1766
01:06:59,940 --> 01:07:02,107
partners that have a long track record 

1767
01:07:02,107 --> 01:07:05,800
like um N . D I IR II fees and whatnot . 

1768
01:07:05,810 --> 01:07:07,921
Uh and also working with the regional 

1769
01:07:07,921 --> 01:07:09,690
organization ecowas to support 

1770
01:07:09,690 --> 01:07:11,634
technical advisors that they might 

1771
01:07:11,634 --> 01:07:13,579
provide . Um I mentioned also that 

1772
01:07:13,579 --> 01:07:17,360
we're discussing how we can identify uh 

1773
01:07:17,370 --> 01:07:19,210
resources , targeted personnel 

1774
01:07:19,210 --> 01:07:22,230
resources to go out and help advise on 

1775
01:07:22,230 --> 01:07:24,860
how to move out of a military run 

1776
01:07:24,860 --> 01:07:27,082
government to a democratic government . 

1777
01:07:27,082 --> 01:07:28,860
So that's the I think the first 

1778
01:07:28,860 --> 01:07:31,082
priority that we're looking to re shift 

1779
01:07:31,082 --> 01:07:33,027
our allocation into those types of 

1780
01:07:33,027 --> 01:07:35,082
programs . Got it . And so , were we 

1781
01:07:35,082 --> 01:07:36,749
can expect to see that in the 

1782
01:07:36,749 --> 01:07:38,916
allocation of ai resources principally 

1783
01:07:38,916 --> 01:07:41,027
or you're also include , what are the 

1784
01:07:41,027 --> 01:07:43,193
other resources are we talking about ? 

1785
01:07:43,193 --> 01:07:45,249
I have a very very tiny budget and I 

1786
01:07:45,249 --> 01:07:48,120
have worked hard to befriend f in the 

1787
01:07:48,120 --> 01:07:50,287
State Department . And but seriously , 

1788
01:07:50,287 --> 01:07:52,398
I have support from our leadership to 

1789
01:07:52,398 --> 01:07:54,342
try and implement the strategy and 

1790
01:07:54,342 --> 01:07:56,620
we're doing that in partnership with U . 

1791
01:07:56,620 --> 01:07:59,470
S . A . D . And so it Assistant 

1792
01:07:59,470 --> 01:08:01,526
Administrator Jenkins . So that's an 

1793
01:08:01,526 --> 01:08:03,692
area that you're can continue to brief 

1794
01:08:03,692 --> 01:08:05,803
this committee and subcommittees with 

1795
01:08:05,803 --> 01:08:07,859
respect to , as you said , there's a 

1796
01:08:07,859 --> 01:08:10,026
long list and get some detail . But we 

1797
01:08:10,026 --> 01:08:12,137
would I'd be interested in seeing how 

1798
01:08:12,137 --> 01:08:12,110
exactly you're implementing this would 

1799
01:08:12,110 --> 01:08:13,950
be very happy to start that 

1800
01:08:13,950 --> 01:08:16,006
conversation and have that an active 

1801
01:08:16,006 --> 01:08:18,350
conversation . I'll just add the way we 

1802
01:08:18,350 --> 01:08:20,350
got to the strategy was new as well 

1803
01:08:20,670 --> 01:08:23,010
with Development US Aid as a full 

1804
01:08:23,010 --> 01:08:25,210
partner at the table working on this 

1805
01:08:25,210 --> 01:08:27,432
together and stressing the need for the 

1806
01:08:27,432 --> 01:08:29,543
development work . We do not just the 

1807
01:08:29,543 --> 01:08:31,870
counter terrorism thing um that in 

1808
01:08:31,870 --> 01:08:33,981
itself and the fact that we have this 

1809
01:08:33,981 --> 01:08:35,759
now strategy , that is a shared 

1810
01:08:35,759 --> 01:08:37,870
strategy that we all are committed to 

1811
01:08:37,870 --> 01:08:39,648
is something that is is a great 

1812
01:08:39,648 --> 01:08:42,610
innovation . Um MS Blyden , I know that 

1813
01:08:42,620 --> 01:08:45,510
senator rounds um asked you about , you 

1814
01:08:45,510 --> 01:08:47,566
know , the number of countries where 

1815
01:08:47,566 --> 01:08:49,788
we've seen recent coups and I think you 

1816
01:08:49,788 --> 01:08:51,899
responded that well that does mean we 

1817
01:08:51,899 --> 01:08:54,190
have fewer partners going forward . Um 

1818
01:08:54,670 --> 01:08:57,500
I guess I want to back that up because 

1819
01:08:57,510 --> 01:09:00,260
what we've seen over time is a lot of 

1820
01:09:00,270 --> 01:09:03,100
the coup leaders in many cases are 

1821
01:09:03,470 --> 01:09:05,960
organizations , individuals that we 

1822
01:09:05,960 --> 01:09:08,630
have had a previous relationship with . 

1823
01:09:08,640 --> 01:09:11,410
Uh and I think that's probably what 

1824
01:09:11,420 --> 01:09:13,650
drove some of the new strategy is 

1825
01:09:13,650 --> 01:09:16,180
trying to rethink how we go about doing 

1826
01:09:16,180 --> 01:09:18,610
that . Congresswoman Sarah Jacobs and I 

1827
01:09:18,610 --> 01:09:21,970
today are introducing legislation 

1828
01:09:22,870 --> 01:09:25,810
that would it's called the Upholding 

1829
01:09:25,810 --> 01:09:27,921
Human Rights abroad Act . And what it 

1830
01:09:27,921 --> 01:09:29,754
would do is expand the leahy law 

1831
01:09:29,754 --> 01:09:33,120
requirements to also include a couple 

1832
01:09:33,130 --> 01:09:35,330
other D . O . D . Based programs that 

1833
01:09:35,330 --> 01:09:37,386
are not currently included . This is 

1834
01:09:37,386 --> 01:09:39,497
not an effort to tie people's hands , 

1835
01:09:39,497 --> 01:09:41,719
but it's an effort to accomplish what I 

1836
01:09:41,719 --> 01:09:43,886
think is the goal of this new strategy 

1837
01:09:43,886 --> 01:09:46,170
to make sure that we are not um 

1838
01:09:46,180 --> 01:09:48,780
unwittingly supporting and funding 

1839
01:09:48,780 --> 01:09:51,100
those who turn around and undermine 

1840
01:09:51,110 --> 01:09:53,360
democracy and development . So could 

1841
01:09:53,360 --> 01:09:55,720
you talk a little bit about , you know , 

1842
01:09:55,730 --> 01:09:59,200
lessons we've learned in some of these 

1843
01:09:59,200 --> 01:10:02,480
countries where despite um 

1844
01:10:02,960 --> 01:10:05,260
you know , despite what we thought were 

1845
01:10:05,260 --> 01:10:07,750
our best efforts , um we ended up 

1846
01:10:07,760 --> 01:10:09,816
having the boomerang come around and 

1847
01:10:09,816 --> 01:10:12,700
hit us in the head . Absolutely . I 

1848
01:10:12,700 --> 01:10:14,922
think maybe to answer part of your last 

1849
01:10:14,922 --> 01:10:17,089
question and then transition into this 

1850
01:10:17,089 --> 01:10:19,200
one , What we're doing differently is 

1851
01:10:19,200 --> 01:10:21,256
uh even though we've always had a by 

1852
01:10:21,256 --> 01:10:21,040
with and through approach and you'll 

1853
01:10:21,040 --> 01:10:23,040
hear africom talk about that , it's 

1854
01:10:23,040 --> 01:10:25,096
been by with and through a number of 

1855
01:10:25,096 --> 01:10:25,050
different partners . We're really 

1856
01:10:25,050 --> 01:10:27,106
focusing now on the African Partners 

1857
01:10:27,106 --> 01:10:29,217
and looking at the multiple levels of 

1858
01:10:29,217 --> 01:10:31,383
where it is that we see engagement has 

1859
01:10:31,383 --> 01:10:33,680
been successful and where we maybe have 

1860
01:10:33,690 --> 01:10:36,190
lacked in providing additional support 

1861
01:10:36,200 --> 01:10:38,256
for us in our support to this health 

1862
01:10:38,256 --> 01:10:40,422
strategy . We are looking at investing 

1863
01:10:40,422 --> 01:10:42,311
more in our civilian lead defense 

1864
01:10:42,311 --> 01:10:44,533
institutions . So regional centers like 

1865
01:10:44,533 --> 01:10:46,756
the Africa Center for Strategic Studies 

1866
01:10:46,756 --> 01:10:48,589
that focuses on uh institutional 

1867
01:10:48,589 --> 01:10:50,533
capacity building when it comes to 

1868
01:10:50,533 --> 01:10:52,367
governance and parliamentary and 

1869
01:10:52,367 --> 01:10:54,367
managing security resources . We're 

1870
01:10:54,367 --> 01:10:56,367
doing more to invest in that area . 

1871
01:10:56,367 --> 01:10:55,980
We're also working more with our 

1872
01:10:55,980 --> 01:10:58,202
Institute for Security Governance which 

1873
01:10:58,202 --> 01:10:59,869
is under the Defense Security 

1874
01:10:59,869 --> 01:11:01,536
Cooperation Agency to provide 

1875
01:11:01,536 --> 01:11:03,536
additional training at the multiple 

1876
01:11:03,536 --> 01:11:05,869
levels . So whether it's senior leaders , 

1877
01:11:05,869 --> 01:11:07,980
emerging security sector leaders , um 

1878
01:11:07,980 --> 01:11:10,147
or at the training and you know , sort 

1879
01:11:10,147 --> 01:11:12,313
of foot soldier level , we're ensuring 

1880
01:11:12,313 --> 01:11:14,480
that we are giving the entire holistic 

1881
01:11:14,480 --> 01:11:16,536
approach uh to what it means to have 

1882
01:11:16,536 --> 01:11:18,369
security assistance and security 

1883
01:11:18,369 --> 01:11:20,313
cooperation from both a governance 

1884
01:11:20,313 --> 01:11:22,313
standpoint as well as the trainer , 

1885
01:11:22,313 --> 01:11:24,480
advise and assist which were typically 

1886
01:11:24,480 --> 01:11:26,536
known for . Thank you . Thank you Mr 

1887
01:11:26,536 --> 01:11:28,869
Chairman . That thank you . Mr Chairman . 

1888
01:11:28,869 --> 01:11:31,036
I know we're getting down close to the 

1889
01:11:31,036 --> 01:11:33,091
end of this particular meeting and I 

1890
01:11:33,091 --> 01:11:35,202
just have one question I'd like it to 

1891
01:11:35,202 --> 01:11:37,313
go to each of you and perhaps in less 

1892
01:11:37,313 --> 01:11:39,369
than a minute you could respond back 

1893
01:11:39,369 --> 01:11:41,313
whether it be in in our diplomatic 

1894
01:11:41,313 --> 01:11:43,313
efforts or our economic development 

1895
01:11:43,313 --> 01:11:45,647
efforts or our national defense efforts . 

1896
01:11:46,060 --> 01:11:48,116
We have to recognize that there is a 

1897
01:11:48,116 --> 01:11:50,116
great powers competition going on . 

1898
01:11:50,116 --> 01:11:52,380
Russia and China are both very actively 

1899
01:11:52,380 --> 01:11:55,020
engaged and on the African continent 

1900
01:11:55,030 --> 01:11:57,252
and they are also very actively engaged 

1901
01:11:57,252 --> 01:12:00,360
within the seal . What is it that we're 

1902
01:12:00,360 --> 01:12:03,770
doing that ? Perhaps China and Russia 

1903
01:12:04,150 --> 01:12:07,300
are not doing and vice versa . What is 

1904
01:12:07,300 --> 01:12:10,870
it that Russia and china are doing that ? 

1905
01:12:10,870 --> 01:12:13,750
We are not doing with regard to this 

1906
01:12:13,760 --> 01:12:17,140
particular area in your specific areas 

1907
01:12:17,140 --> 01:12:20,140
of expertise and I would begin with the 

1908
01:12:20,140 --> 01:12:23,730
ambassador please . Thank you 

1909
01:12:23,730 --> 01:12:26,830
senator . Um That's almost an easy 

1910
01:12:26,830 --> 01:12:28,870
question because I think generally 

1911
01:12:28,870 --> 01:12:30,981
speaking we are the preferred partner 

1912
01:12:30,981 --> 01:12:33,890
in every sector for Africans . Uh we 

1913
01:12:33,890 --> 01:12:36,250
care about humans , we care about 

1914
01:12:36,250 --> 01:12:38,550
civilians , we care about unleashing 

1915
01:12:38,550 --> 01:12:41,340
their potential uh and that those are 

1916
01:12:41,340 --> 01:12:44,540
not uh areas of focus for Russia or 

1917
01:12:44,540 --> 01:12:46,980
china so that I think is the biggest 

1918
01:12:46,980 --> 01:12:48,740
difference that we work beyond 

1919
01:12:48,740 --> 01:12:51,480
governments with all sectors of society 

1920
01:12:51,550 --> 01:12:53,620
to encourage governance that is 

1921
01:12:53,620 --> 01:12:55,731
inclusive and unleashes the potential 

1922
01:12:55,731 --> 01:12:59,610
of of society . Mr Jenkins , I 

1923
01:12:59,610 --> 01:13:02,190
agree wholeheartedly . I would sum it 

1924
01:13:02,190 --> 01:13:05,740
up as partnership Russia and china 

1925
01:13:05,750 --> 01:13:08,380
enter into transactional relationships . 

1926
01:13:09,550 --> 01:13:11,550
We if we're doing what we should be 

1927
01:13:11,550 --> 01:13:14,140
doing is listening , partnering and 

1928
01:13:14,140 --> 01:13:16,307
working not just at the national level 

1929
01:13:16,307 --> 01:13:18,710
but localization , working with local 

1930
01:13:18,720 --> 01:13:21,070
people , finding them where they are 

1931
01:13:21,450 --> 01:13:23,672
helping them with what they want , help 

1932
01:13:23,672 --> 01:13:25,880
on and working in true partnership 

1933
01:13:27,850 --> 01:13:30,970
MS plane . I agree with both of my 

1934
01:13:30,970 --> 01:13:33,480
colleagues and would say that we stand 

1935
01:13:33,480 --> 01:13:35,647
on the foundation of democracy , human 

1936
01:13:35,647 --> 01:13:37,869
rights and governance . And I think the 

1937
01:13:37,869 --> 01:13:39,647
other thing that we offer is uh 

1938
01:13:39,647 --> 01:13:42,090
civilian civil military relations and 

1939
01:13:42,090 --> 01:13:44,090
the understanding of how this works 

1940
01:13:44,090 --> 01:13:46,201
symbiotically to ensure that there is 

1941
01:13:46,201 --> 01:13:48,257
good governance in the country and I 

1942
01:13:48,257 --> 01:13:50,368
think the transactional approach that 

1943
01:13:50,368 --> 01:13:52,312
both Russia and china take um have 

1944
01:13:52,312 --> 01:13:51,810
resonated with our partners . They 

1945
01:13:51,810 --> 01:13:53,977
understand that we care you understand 

1946
01:13:53,977 --> 01:13:56,199
that we're there to enable them for the 

1947
01:13:56,199 --> 01:13:58,310
long haul and that we understand that 

1948
01:13:58,310 --> 01:14:00,477
an organic african solutions are , are 

1949
01:14:00,477 --> 01:14:02,643
critical to the success of of security 

1950
01:14:02,643 --> 01:14:04,866
in the region . Thank you . Thank you . 

1951
01:14:04,866 --> 01:14:06,754
Mr Chairman , thank you . Senator 

1952
01:14:06,754 --> 01:14:09,032
rounds one final question for the rest . 

1953
01:14:09,032 --> 01:14:11,199
I'll submit for the record . Following 

1954
01:14:11,199 --> 01:14:13,199
the 2012 military coup in Mali , we 

1955
01:14:13,199 --> 01:14:15,199
imposed travel bans on more than 80 

1956
01:14:15,199 --> 01:14:16,754
individuals responsible for 

1957
01:14:16,754 --> 01:14:18,921
orchestrating or supporting the coup . 

1958
01:14:18,921 --> 01:14:20,754
We impose similar travel bans on 

1959
01:14:20,754 --> 01:14:22,921
military coup leaders in Mauritania in 

1960
01:14:22,921 --> 01:14:25,032
2008 , Guinea in 2009 , Guinea pursue 

1961
01:14:25,032 --> 01:14:26,810
in 2012 and the Central African 

1962
01:14:26,810 --> 01:14:29,780
Republic in 2013 . Both Nikola and the 

1963
01:14:29,780 --> 01:14:32,020
European Union have imposed personal 

1964
01:14:32,030 --> 01:14:34,086
targeted sanctions on the leaders of 

1965
01:14:34,086 --> 01:14:36,270
the latest military coup in Mali . The 

1966
01:14:36,270 --> 01:14:38,492
United States however , has yet to take 

1967
01:14:38,492 --> 01:14:40,437
such actions in response to recent 

1968
01:14:40,437 --> 01:14:43,010
coups and mali , burkina , faso chad 

1969
01:14:43,010 --> 01:14:44,890
guinea for that matter . So , 

1970
01:14:44,890 --> 01:14:47,400
ambassador , how do you explain this 

1971
01:14:47,400 --> 01:14:49,960
break with precedent , shouldn't we 

1972
01:14:49,960 --> 01:14:52,090
have a consistent policy for imposing 

1973
01:14:52,090 --> 01:14:54,700
travel bans or other sanctions or 

1974
01:14:54,700 --> 01:14:56,810
military officers who seize power 

1975
01:14:56,820 --> 01:14:57,876
unconstitutional . 

1976
01:15:00,540 --> 01:15:02,707
Mr Chairman . Such sanctions authority 

1977
01:15:02,707 --> 01:15:05,670
is an important tool that we can apply 

1978
01:15:06,040 --> 01:15:08,170
uh and we should continuously review 

1979
01:15:08,170 --> 01:15:10,630
one of the appropriate circumstances to 

1980
01:15:10,630 --> 01:15:13,300
apply in partnership in particular with 

1981
01:15:13,300 --> 01:15:15,620
the ecowas , so that our actions are 

1982
01:15:15,620 --> 01:15:19,510
reinforcing um I think these particular 

1983
01:15:19,520 --> 01:15:22,640
uh changes in government while very 

1984
01:15:22,640 --> 01:15:24,880
unwelcome reflected complex 

1985
01:15:24,880 --> 01:15:26,991
circumstances and there was an effort 

1986
01:15:26,991 --> 01:15:29,460
underway to see if we could encourage 

1987
01:15:29,640 --> 01:15:32,010
these leaders to get back on track . I 

1988
01:15:32,010 --> 01:15:34,232
think we've seen with the recent ecowas 

1989
01:15:34,232 --> 01:15:36,066
negotiations , at least a stated 

1990
01:15:36,066 --> 01:15:38,232
commitment to get back on track uh and 

1991
01:15:38,232 --> 01:15:40,760
so we should keep that tool in mind . 

1992
01:15:40,770 --> 01:15:43,870
But the objective was to drive the 

1993
01:15:43,870 --> 01:15:45,648
parties back towards democratic 

1994
01:15:45,648 --> 01:15:47,900
transition . Well , I would just say 

1995
01:15:47,900 --> 01:15:50,011
that both Echo and the european Union 

1996
01:15:50,011 --> 01:15:52,800
have imposed those types of sanctions , 

1997
01:15:52,800 --> 01:15:55,022
so we want to be in concert with them . 

1998
01:15:55,022 --> 01:15:57,189
I don't understand why we have not and 

1999
01:15:57,189 --> 01:15:59,356
I understand it's a powerful too . I I 

2000
01:15:59,356 --> 01:16:01,690
get the sense that the bureau is 

2001
01:16:01,700 --> 01:16:04,820
adverse to sanctions use 

2002
01:16:06,020 --> 01:16:08,910
and reticent about doing it and I don't 

2003
01:16:08,910 --> 01:16:11,077
understand the limited to the holes of 

2004
01:16:11,077 --> 01:16:14,370
peaceful diplomacy that we have , why 

2005
01:16:14,370 --> 01:16:17,790
we refrain from it when other elements 

2006
01:16:17,800 --> 01:16:20,022
are not pursuing our interests and when 

2007
01:16:20,022 --> 01:16:22,560
we would be in synchrony with those 

2008
01:16:22,560 --> 01:16:26,520
entities in africa that saw it 

2009
01:16:26,530 --> 01:16:29,730
important to go ahead and do so . We 

2010
01:16:29,740 --> 01:16:32,670
we'd love to hear from you on that . Um 

2011
01:16:32,670 --> 01:16:35,230
and I'd like you to more fully respond 

2012
01:16:35,230 --> 01:16:37,420
for me in the record . I want to thank 

2013
01:16:37,420 --> 01:16:39,587
all of our witnesses for coming before 

2014
01:16:39,587 --> 01:16:41,920
the committee to give their testimonies . 

2015
01:16:41,920 --> 01:16:44,142
While ultimately , our african partners 

2016
01:16:44,142 --> 01:16:46,142
must lead the way in addressing the 

2017
01:16:46,142 --> 01:16:46,110
problems in the Sahel . The least we 

2018
01:16:46,110 --> 01:16:48,420
can do is ensure that the assistance we 

2019
01:16:48,420 --> 01:16:51,250
provide is as impactful as possible . I 

2020
01:16:51,250 --> 01:16:53,417
look forward to continuing to dialogue 

2021
01:16:53,417 --> 01:16:55,639
with the administration on the strategy 

2022
01:16:55,639 --> 01:16:57,639
as it is finalized , The record for 

2023
01:16:57,639 --> 01:16:59,861
this hearing will remain open until the 

2024
01:16:59,861 --> 01:17:01,972
close of business on Thursday July 14 

2025
01:17:01,972 --> 01:17:04,194
2022 . Please ensure that questions for 

2026
01:17:04,194 --> 01:17:06,361
the record are submitted no later than 

2027
01:17:06,361 --> 01:17:08,417
that day and please be responsive as 

2028
01:17:08,417 --> 01:17:10,583
you can , as fully as you can when you 

2029
01:17:10,583 --> 01:17:12,806
receive the thanks of the committee for 

2030
01:17:12,806 --> 01:17:12,660
your testimony . This hearing is 

2031
01:17:12,660 --> 01:17:13,730
adjourned yeah .