A top U.S. general has urged European and U.S. armed forces to work together to improve security in Africa.
General Scott Gration was addressing the second meeting of Africa Clearing House, a joint European-North American group that gathered Monday in Stuttgart, Germany. General Gration said that combined western military efforts can help prevent terrorists from taking root in some nations.
He says another goal should be to help African nations develop the ability to solve their own problems.
General Gration expressed concern over Nigeria, saying the west African nation is entering a critical time, three years ahead of the next scheduled elections. He says the entire region may face serious problems if Nigeria were to go the way of war-ravaged Democratic Republic of Congo.
Some information for this report provided by Reuters.