Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Counternarcotics and Stabilization Policy, James Saenz, Travels to West Africa With Interagency Delegation

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for Counternarcotics and Stabilization Policy, Jim Saenz, traveled to Togo, Benin, and Côte d'Ivoire with Assistant Secretary of State Anne Witkowsky and Assistant to the Administrator of USAID Rob Jenkins from 16 to 21 October. The three principals are leading implementation of the United States' Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability (SPCPS) in the five priority locations including the Coastal West Africa sub-region of Togo, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Guinea.

The delegation met with high-level government, civil society, and private sector leaders, bilateral and multilateral partners, as well as local press corps to discuss how the United States can better support the region in countering security threats and bringing additional economic and government services to underserved areas. They spoke at length about collectively facilitating peace and stability throughout the region, leveraging the SPCPS to support local initiatives.

Through SPCPS, the U.S. State Department, USAID, and U.S. Department of Defense are working closely together to provide "3D" support to partner nations to better integrate Diplomacy, Development, and Defense lines of effort. The delegation emphasized that the 10-year timeline outlined in the SPCPS demonstrates a long-term commitment from the U.S. to partner with regional leaders to advance peace and stability.

"Security alone is not the solution," DASD Jim Saenz said. "Long-term peace and stability in the face of an increasing VEO threat is only possible through a holistic approach that incorporates inclusive economic development, government responsiveness, and security efforts at local, national, and regional levels."

The delegation was grateful for the opportunity to discuss critical needs and potential innovative solutions with key partners. The "3D" U.S. interagency team looks forward to building on these engagements to continue supporting regional efforts to prevent conflict and promote stability in Coastal West Africa.