Federal agencies require better planning for combatting terrorism in Africa

The departments of Defense and State must improve their collaboration in a program designed to combat terrorism in Africa to effectively eliminate terrorist strongholds and to prevent the spread of extremist ideology, according to a report from congressional researchers published Friday.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) examined the Trans-Sahara Counter-Terrorism Partnership (TSCTP), concluding that the agencies involved must develop a comprehensive strategy and priorities for the program, settle disagreements as to when Defense personnel would report to State leaders in support of TSCTP, maintain steady distribution of the program's funds, and measure outcomes of the program based on its goals.

The US government established TSCTP in 2005, spending about $353 million in nine African countries. Almost three-quarters of those funds went to Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger. The rest went to Algeria, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia. The US Agency for International Development (USAID), an agency of the State Department, has led the investment effort. ...