US Blinken Tour to West Africa starts a close relationship in four nations, starting in Cape Verde. He commended the island nation as a “truly a beacon of stability in the region, at a time when there’s more than our share of instability and challenge.”
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken
Mr. Blinken is scheduled to visit Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Angola as part of his tour. President Joe Biden sought to underscore his commitment to the continent during the US-Africa summit in 2022. At the summit, he pledged to visit Africa in 2023, but unfortunately, the trip did not come to fruition.
Blinken last visited the continent in March of the previous year, because of the focus on the Middle East conflict. He however emphasized the United States‘ commitment to Africa during his address in Cape Verde. Quoting President Biden, he stated, as reported by the AFP news agency,
“we are all in when it comes to Africa.” He further added, “Our futures are intertwined, our prosperity is interconnected, and African voices are increasingly shaping, driving, and leading the global conversation.”
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken
“Our futures are linked, our prosperity is linked, and African voices increasingly are shaping, animating and leading the global conversation,” Blinken emphasised as he started talks in Cape Verde.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken
“The United States is committed to deepening, strengthening and broadening partnerships across Africa,” Blinken acknowledged.
Cape Verde a Strategic Location for the US
Cape Verde, a Portuguese-speaking archipelago with a population of around 500,000, has collaborated with the US on law enforcement and naval activities. Blinken praised it as a “beacon of stability” and a “strong, principled voice.”
Amidst concerns across the continent about the substantial Western aid to Ukraine, Cape Verde’s Prime Minister Jose Ulisses Correia e Silva conveyed to Blinken the country’s condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Silva also criticized recent coups in Africa, affirming that Cape Verde is “guided by the values of liberal democracy.”
Blinken toured the expanded port in the capital Praia. It was funded through about $150 million from the Millennium Challenge Corporation, a US aid program for countries meeting democratic standards. The corporation announced plans to collaborate on a third package with Cape Verde last month. More so, Silva extended an invitation for the Peace Corps to return after a decade-long absence.
Later on, Monday, Blinken traveled to the Ivory Coast. He attended the Africa Cup of Nations match between the host country and Equatorial Guinea at the 60,000-seat Olympic stadium. The stadium was constructed with support from China. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited the stadium last week.
China and Russia’s Influence in Africa
In addition to Russia, China, is viewed by the US as its primary global rival. China has significantly expanded its influence in Africa in recent years. China has provided loans for various infrastructure projects. On the other hand, Russia’s formidable and ruthless Wagner Group of mercenaries has been deployed to Mali, the Central African Republic, and reportedly Burkina Faso.
Last month, a delegation from Niger visited Moscow. Notably, Niger’s military had overthrown elected President Mohamed Bazoum just months after a visit by Blinken aimed at supporting him. Niger had previously been a key player in US efforts to counter armed groups in the Sahel, with the US establishing a $100 million base in the Nigerien desert city of Agadez for operating a fleet of drones.
Furthermore, the Nigerian government took the significant step of expelling forces from its former colonial power, France.
US Blinken Tour to West Africa: Is the United States Still Strong in West Africa?
Niger has granted permission for the US to maintain its nearly 1,000 troops. General James Hecker, the US Air Force commander (Europe and Africa), mentioned discussions underway on “several locations” in West Africa for a new drone base.
As Blinken embarks on his visit, US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield is concurrently touring three more West African nations. They include Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. In Liberia, she is participating in a presidential inauguration. It represents a smooth transition of power in a nation that has experienced past turbulence. Let us wait and see what US Blinken Tour to West Africa brings in 2024.