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U.S.-Senegal Defense Deal Is All About Access, U.S. Says

U.S.-Senegal Defense Deal Is All About Access, U.S. Says

Signed Monday, a first-of-its-kind agreement in sub-Saharan Africa will make it easier for U.S. military troops to access Senegal in event of humanitarian or security crises, AssociatedPress reported, according to FoxNews.

The Defense Cooperation agreement upgrades an existing 2001 agreement between the two countries, providing U.S. forces access to certain facilities in Senegal and enabling U.S. forces to make improvements while there, according to U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Marie Blanchard.

Around 40 U.S. Department of Defense personnel are currently stationed in Senegal, according to the U.S. Africa Command. That number will not increase under the deal, Reuters reported, according to BusinessInsider.

The defense agreement “will facilitate the continued presence of the U.S. military in Senegal,” said Mankeur Ndiaye, Senegal’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. The agreement “will also help to enhance security cooperation and further strengthen defense relations to face common security challenges in the region.”

Common security challenges

Some experts have warned Senegal could be a target of al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, and the country has stepped up security efforts to counter threats. This follows major attacks in neighboring Mali, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast.

The agreement also comes after the most deadly Ebola outbreak in history. Senegal allowed U.S. military aircraft to transport troops, health workers and equipment to Liberia during the crisis, the embassy said. At least 11,300 people died from Ebola since December 2013, mostly from Guinea, Liberia and in Sierra Leone.

“This agreement is about access,” said U.S. Ambassador James Zumwalt. It’s “about coming when there is an urgent desire and when both sides agree.

The deal sets out the rights and responsibilities for future U.S. access to Senegalese facilities for joint training and possible troop deployments, according to Reuters.

Foreign Minister Ndiaye said the pact was the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa and would help Senegal’s ability to respond to growing challenges. “Crises are not always predictable, that’s why this agreement is a long-term agreement,” he said.

Al Qaeda has said it has Senegal in its sights due to the country’s close ties with France, which has 3,500 soldiers fighting with regional armies against Islamist militants in West Africa, according to Reuters.

“Terrorism knows no border and it’s very important for everyone to cooperate,” Zumwalt said during a joint news conference in Dakar with Ndiaye. “We believe that this agreement will help the U.S. military and the Senegalese military reinforce our cooperation together to deal with threats to our common interests.”

“The next shared concern might take the form of another disease outbreak, a natural disaster calling for a humanitarian response, or a terrorist threat,” Zumwalt added. “With this agreement, the U.S. military and the Senegalese military can plan better together, accomplish more with joint training, and better prepare to respond in concert to risks to our shared interests.”