US plans to set up drone bases in coastal West Africa to stem Islamist advance and counter China

The United States is reportedly seeking to set up military drones bases along the West African coast in an urgent effort to stop the spread of Islamist militants, counter the Chinese influence in the region, and to support the development and democracy of its African allies.
Washington is holding preliminary talks with Ghana, Ivory Coast and Benin to allow American unarmed reconnaissance drones to use airfields in these countries on the Atlantic Ocean, according to recent reports by The Wall Street Journal. Relatively stable and prosperous, the three coastal countries, along with Togo, now find themselves threatened by al-Qaeda and Islamic State militants that have plagued neighboring Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger in the Sahel region. The plan to station reconnaissance aircraft in Ghana, Ivory Coast and Benin may thus signal a shifting US strategy of retrenchment from these coup-hit and conflict-torn Sahel states.
The recent coup in Niger has reportedly prompted the United States and France to announce last October that they were actively exploring alternative countries to host their drone bases for counter-terrorism and surveillance missions. “There are several locations I’ll say that we’re looking at, but nothing’s firmed up. We have talked to some countries about it,” General James Hecker, commander of US Air Forces in Europe and Africa, stated. According to Military Africa, by establishing drone bases closer to the Atlantic Ocean, the US hopes to enhance its ability to monitor and respond to the activities of al Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates and also to deter and disrupt the plans of China, which is seeking to establish its first permanent naval base on the Atlantic coast, in Equatorial Guinea.