Africa

The Dark Side To French-African Ties

by Eleanor Beardsley

President Francois Hollande's visit to Mali, after French troops routed Islamist extremists, brings to mind France's long relationship with its former colonies in Africa. African troops helped France and the allies defeat Hitler's forces, and Hollande expressed gratitude for that while he was in Mali. But there's also a dark side to the French-African connection.
QueueListen Now

African Forces Succeed Against Islamists In Somalia

French forces helped Mali push Islamist militants from that West African nation's north, and now they want to leave and hand over peacekeeping duties to an African force. Somalia, on the continent's east, has been guarded by an East African force since 2007, and is now experiencing a period of calm unprecedented in the past two decades.
QueueListen Now

U.S. May Build Base For Drones In Northwest Africa

The United States is looking to base surveillance drones in the African nation of Niger. The base there will allow the U.S. unmanned vehicles to conduct operations in northern Africa, including in Mali, where France has intervened to fight Islamist militants. Tom Bowman talks to Melissa Block about the latest on the increasing U.S. military role in Africa.
QueueListen Now