Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated that the United States’ relationships across the African continent are central to meeting global challenges.
“That’s why I’m on a trip to South Africa, the DRC, and Rwanda. We’re strengthening our partnerships to build a better future for our people,” Blinken said an interview with South African media on Sunday.
The first leg of Blinken’s Africa visit, will see him in South Africa where he will be hosted by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor in Pretoria on Monday for of the South Africa – US strategic dialogue.
Analysts say that Blinken’s quick tour of Africa looks to reinforce the US view that African countries are geostrategic players and critical partners when it comes to pressing continental and world issues.
On Sunday, Blinken visited the Hector Pieterson Museum in Orlando West, Soweto.
“The Hector Petersen Museum is living history – it reminds us of the power of young people to make change in society,” Blinken said.
This week, the US partnered with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance Covax to donate more than 1.9 million Covid-19 vaccine doses to six countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Blinken will visit the Democratic Republic of the Congo between August 9 – 10, where he will meet with senior DRC government officials and members of civil society to discuss matters of mutual interest in ensuring free, inclusive, and fair elections in the African country next year, promoting respect for human rights and protecting fundamental freedoms.
According to his office, he will also focus on combating corruption, supporting trade and investment, addressing the climate crisis, building agricultural resilience, and support regional African efforts to advance peace in eastern DRC and the broader Great Lakes region.
Blinken will complete his tour with a visit to Rwanda on August 10 – 11, where he will meet with senior Rwandan government officials and civil society members to discuss shared priorities, including peacekeeping.
The secretary will focus on the role the government of Rwanda can play in reducing tensions and ongoing violence in eastern DRC. He will also raise democracy and human rights concerns, including transnational repression, limiting space for dissent and political opposition, and the wrongful detention of US lawful permanent resident Paul Rusesabagina.
From promoting an open and stable international system, to tackling the effects of climate change, food insecurity and global pandemics, to shaping our technological and economic futures, the US is looking to make inroads in Africa, quickly amid a fresh global battle for Africa.
