- Secretary Blinken said that the ALS will be a manifestation of the United States’ enduring commitment to Africa and will highlight the growing importance of U.S. Africa bilateral ties and cooperation on shared global priorities.
In two weeks after a lapse of almost eight years, the US is hosting more than 40 African heads of state, and African business leaders, civil society leaders, media, and members of the African Diaspora, in Washington D.C. The first U.S. Africa Leaders’ Summit (ALS) was hosted by former U.S. President Barak Obama in 2014. The Summit is expected to provide insights into the latest U.S strategy released last August, which has underlined the need for reciprocity and partnership. Several initiatives are expected to be announced during the Forum.
The U.S. is carefully balancing the invitations to African leaders to get maximum participation but avoiding invitations to leaders with a poor human right record or war crimes. According to the latest reports, instead of Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed Ali President Biden has extended the invitation to the country’s ceremonial President, Sahle-Work Zewde.
In a recent statement, Secretary Blinken said that the ALS will be a manifestation of the United States’ enduring commitment to Africa and will highlight the growing importance of U.S. Africa bilateral ties and cooperation on shared global priorities. He added that Africa will not only shape not only just the future of the African people but of the world.
The agenda of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit includes fostering new economic engagement, advancing peace, security, and good governance, reinforcing commitment to democracy, human rights, and civil society, collaborating to strengthen regional and global health security, promoting food security, responding to the climate crisis promoting diaspora ties, education and youth leadership.
Also reads;
https://trendsnafrica.com/u-s-africa-leaders-summit-scheduled-for-december/
https://trendsnafrica.com/the-us-unveils-its-new-strategy-on-sub-saharan-africa/
President Biden stated that the U. S. is keen to collaborate with African governments, civil society, diaspora communities across the United States, and the private sector to continue strengthening the shared vision for the future of U.S.-Africa relations.
