30 Mar 2018 | 03:50 PM UTC
Ghana: Protests in Accra over US military presence March 28
Protests in Accra over defense agreement which would increase US military presence March 28; additional protests possible in the coming days
Event
Large protests erupted in Accra on Wednesday, March 28, over a defense agreement that would expand the US military presence in Ghana. Around 3500 people reportedly participated in the protests. Additional related protests are possible in Ghana in the coming days.
Context
The defense agreement ratified by the Ghanaian parliament will allow the US to deploy troops in the country, give US forces access to Ghanaian runways and other military facilities, import military equipment without tax, and have access to Ghanaian radio stations. In exchange, the US is to provide Ghana USD 20 million in equipment and training for Ghanaian forces.
The military agreement comes amid an apparent uptick in American counterterror efforts in the Sahel region and North Africa. The US is reportedly building a drone base in Niger. The US also carried out a strike on Al-Qa'ida militants in Ubari (southern Libya) on March 24, killing a senior operative.
Advice
Individuals in Ghana, particularly in Accra, are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.
