United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) could benefit from increase in its budgetary allocation despite announcing plans to pull its troops out of Somalia.
Last month, President Donald Trump ordered his security advisors and agencies to withdraw US troops from Somalia.
AFRICOM has a contingent of 700 troops based in the East African nation.
As per Trump’s recent directive to his security advisors, the withdrawal of the troops is likely to have serious consequences for the Horn of Africa country.
Reports from the United States indicate that AFRICOM’s budget could increase by up to $40 million, which is higher than what Pentagon sought for it.
AFRICOM’s increased budget is courtesy of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act released by legislators a week ago.
Pentagon had requested for up to $239 million for AFRICOM.
Negotiations between Senate and the Congress saw AFRICOM receive around $38.5 million more than they requested.