Stacey Plaskett: “I thank the gentlewoman from Washington for the opportunity to speak on this matter, and I thank my colleagues on both…”

“I thank the gentlewoman from Washington for the opportunity to speak on this matter, and I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for really digging into this information and recognizing the potential national security interests as you heard outlined by them both. There are hundreds of undersea fiber optic telecommunications cables linking North America with Europe, South America, and a myriad of locations in Asia, but not a single undersea fiber optic telecommunications cable connects North America with the entire African Continent. The DiasporaLink Act represents an opportunity to establish a high- speed, secure telecommunications data connection to Africa and from American soil facilitating deepened economic connections and aiding American regional security assistance. This link will allow America to establish a direct digital presence on the continent to capitalize on emerging economic opportunities, as well as to protect our Nation against cyber and military threats that may come from the African Continent. The landing points of Lagos, Nigeria, and Accra, Ghana, have been selected as part of the study on the continent as landing points for the cables. These coastal cities are hubs for several undersea cables that connect West African nations to Europe and South America. Additionally, the strategically located American Embassies at these landing points provide additional security for us.…”