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US President Joe Biden to Visit Africa, Strengthening Ties with the Continent
US President Joe Biden is set to visit Africa next month, marking his first trip to the continent while in office. The visit, announced by the White House on Tuesday, September 24, is a significant step in strengthening ties with African nations. Biden’s itinerary includes stops in Berlin, Germany, and Luanda, Angola, where he will discuss economic ties, security, and a vision for a rail project linking the Atlantic and Indian oceans.
Biden’s visit to Luanda is a celebration of the evolution of the US-Angola relationship, according to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. The trip is also a demonstration of the US commitment to African partners and the benefits of collaboration in solving shared challenges.
The president’s visit comes after he vowed to strengthen US ties with democracies on the African continent, as China increases its influence in the region. Biden had previously promised to visit Africa during a summit of African leaders in Washington in late 2022, but his plans were put on hold due to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Despite missing his initial deadline, Biden’s visit is seen as a significant move to shore up ties with the continent, partly to counter China’s growing influence. Top US officials, including Vice President Kamala Harris, have visited African nations on behalf of the outgoing president.
In other news, Biden announced that the US will provide at least $500 million, along with 1 million mpox vaccines, to help African countries combat the mpox outbreak. The president also made his final address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.
The visit is a significant milestone in the US-Africa relationship, and it remains to be seen what tangible outcomes will emerge from the trip. However, it is clear that the Biden administration is committed to strengthening ties with the continent and addressing shared challenges.
