Help US troops stop ISIS and Al Qaeda from spreading terror in Niger
This project is fully funded. Thank you!
Your Impact
With the help of our donors, Spirit of America provided $20,608 to purchase an antenna and transmission tower for our Nigerien army partners to aid in the fight against terrorism in the region.
This project is fully funded. THANK YOU!
Along Niger’s porous northern border there is a civilian population under assault from terrorist organizations. These Violent Extremist Organizations, ranging from Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) to ISIS, often target populations in rural areas where there are fewer Nigerien police and military to protect them. One of the greatest tragedies happening in the region is the recruitment of youth and fleeing refugees into the ranks of these terrorist groups. Foreign fighters crossing into Niger promise employment, hope, and an opportunity for a better life. The reality is that they offer none of those things. These same terrorist groups were responsible for the killing of hundreds of soldiers to include four American Special Operations soldiers who were working to provide security for the civilian population.
Andy Duhon, Spirit of America’s Regional Project Manager, visiting the radio station with US soldiers to understand the need and how Spirit of America could help.
It may seem like a foreign concept to many Americans, but a lack of awareness about ISIS and the horrendous agenda of other terrorist organizations is a real thing in many parts of rural Africa. The U.S. Army team deployed to Niger to assist the Nigerien military in educating people via radio broadcasts about the dangers of the terrorist groups and the possibilities of a better future.
The US team on the ground identified the need for antennas and equipment to construct a radio transmission tower but lacked funding lines to purchase the required supplies locally. They explained to Spirit of America that the equipment, if provided, would increase the range of the radio station from 15 to 80 kilometers and reach key communities in the border region. The radio station also shares the number for a tip line that citizens can call to report crime and the arrival of foreign fighters in their villages. After hearing about the need and impact this equipment would have, Spirit of America began collaborating with the US military immediately to provide support.
The US Army, Nigerien Government, and Spirit of America are teaming up to address the lack of education and prevent more youth from being stolen from their families and communities. We need you to partner with us too.
To learn more about the US mission to stop ISIS and Al Qaeda in West Africa, you can check out this article in the Military Times.
