Political Quotes

“I, too, also oppose this motion for the reasons that Senator Risch outlined. Our presence there are not troops in hostility. To the contrary. We have been asked. Our African partners have asked for our support, and our European allies are looking for us to stand firm. This is a situation where our troops are welcomed in order to prevent the terrorist activities that are taking place in that part of Africa. We had a committee hearing on the Sahel this week. You saw the circumstances in this part of Africa. It is dangerous there. The U.S. presence is helping save lives and to contain terrorism. Our partners in Africa want us there to deal with that threat. Now is not the time to signal that we are abandoning them. This is not the time to draw down our military presence in Niger, which could directly impact their security. Now is not the time for the United States to send a message that we cannot be relied upon. Think about what this says to our partners if we were to pull out. Think about what it says to our enemies. Russia already has a foothold in Africa, including right next door in Mali. Their presence has been absolutely devastating for the people of the countries where it operates. Russia's affiliated forces have committed horrific human rights atrocities. Just in Mali, the Wagner mercenaries and multiple armed forces are believed to have massacred 500 people in March of 2022. That is why our presence is so valuable and so important to that region.…”