Page 4 - aruba-today-20240426

A4 U.S. NEWS
Friday 26 april 2024
U.S. to pull troops from Chad and Niger as the African nations

question its counterterrorism role

By TARA COPP Niamey, “to initiate discus-
Associated Press sions on an orderly and re-
WASHINGTON (AP) — The sponsible withdrawal of U.S.
United States will pull the forces,” the State Depart-
majority of its troops from ment said in a statement
Chad and Niger as it works late Wednesday. Follow-up
to restore key agreements meetings between senior
governing what role there Pentagon and Niger of-
might be there for the ficials are expected next
American military and its week “to coordinate the
counterterrorism opera- withdrawal process in a
tions, the Pentagon said transparent manner and
Thursday. with mutual respect,” Ry-
Both African countries have der said.
been integral to the U.S. mil- Called status-of-forces
itary’s efforts to counter vio- agreements, these deals
lent extremist organizations allow the U.S. to conduct
across the Sahel region, but critical counterterrorism op-
Niger’s ruling junta ended erations within both coun-
an agreement last month tries’ borders and have
that allows U.S. troops to supported military partner
operate in the West African training. The reversals have
country. In recent days, prompted concern that
neighboring Chad also has U.S. influence in Africa is
questioned whether an ex- losing ground to overtures
isting agreement covered from Russia and China.
the U.S. troops operating A U.S. and Niger flag are raised side by side at the base camp for air forces and other personnel Relations have frayed be-
there. supporting the construction of Niger Air Base 201 in Agadez, Niger, April 16, 2018. tween Niger and West-
Associated Press
The U.S. will relocate most ern countries since muti-
of the approximately 100 Chadian officials, U.S. AF- step as part of the ongo- the 1,000 U.S. personnel as- nous soldiers ousted the
forces it has deployed in RICOM is currently plan- ing review of our security signed there also are ex- country’s democratically
Chad for now, Pentagon ning to reposition some U.S. cooperation, which will re- pected to depart, Ryder elected president in July.
press secretary Maj. Gen. military forces from Chad, sume after Chad’s May 6th said. Niger’s junta has since told
Pat Ryder said Thursday at some portions of which presidential election,” Ry- U.S. and Nigerien officials French forces to leave and
a press briefing. were already scheduled to der said. were expected to meet turned instead to Russia for
“As talks continue with depart. This is a temporary In Niger, the majority of Thursday in Niger’s capital, security.q

Gay actor’s speech back on at Pennsylvania school after

cancellation over his ‘lifestyle’

By BRUCE SHIPKOWSKI dents spoke out. is gay, to speak against community, and Superin- President Barack Obama
Associated Press The Cumberland Valley bullying during a May 22 tendent Mark Blanchard to serve on the President’s
A gay actor’s speech that School District’s board vot- assembly at Mountain View and other district leaders Advisory Commission on
was canceled over his “life- ed 5-4 Wednesday night to Middle School. The board sent a letter to the board, Asian Americans and Pa-
style” is back on at a Penn- allow children’s book au- voted after hearing from faculty and staff asserting cific Islanders, where he
sylvania school after resi- thor Maulik Pancholy, who residents, including more that Pancholy’s speech co-founded a campaign
than a dozen students. should have been allowed. to combat AAPI bullying.
The board on April 15 unan- The education officials said Pancholy’s appearance
imously canceled Pan- they were not given “a real was scheduled by the
choly’s talk after a board opportunity” by the board school’s leadership team,
member cited concerns to answer questions or pro- which each year selects an
about what he described vide guidance about the author to present a “unique
as the actor’s activism and event, which they said was educational experience
“lifestyle.” Some board aimed at reinforcing the for students,” according
members also noted the importance of treating all to the district. At the April
district enacted a policy people equally. 15 meeting, school board
about not hosting overt- Pancholy, 48, is an award- members said they did not
ly political events after it winning actor, including know what Pancholy would
was criticized for hosting a for his roles on the televi- talk about, but one mem-
Donald Trump rally during sion shows “30 Rock” and ber said he didn’t “want to
his 2016 presidential cam- “Weeds,” and as the voice run the risk” of what it might
paign. Some community of Baljeet in the Disney ani- entail. “If you research this
members said the cancel- mated series, “Phineas & individual, he labels himself
Actor Maulik Pancholy attends the premiere of “Trishna” during
the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival on Friday, April 27, 2012 in New lation was ill-advised and Ferb.” He also has written as an activist,” Bud Shaffner
York. sent a hurtful message, children’s books and in said, according to Penn-
Associated Press especially to the LGBTQ+ 2014 was named by then- live. q