The US State Department’s Africa Bureau has a new leader, Nick Checker, who has taken over as the Senior Bureau Official. Checker, a former CIA military analyst, replaces Jonathan Pratt, who had been in the position since July. As the new head of the Africa Bureau, Checker will be responsible for managing day-to-day relations with 49 countries in west, east, central, and southern Africa.
Checker’s appointment comes at a time when Africa is facing numerous challenges, including brutal conflicts, humanitarian crises, and competition for resources. The continent is home to significant reserves of critical minerals, such as cobalt, manganese, and copper, which are essential for the production of electric vehicles and other technologies.
The Trump administration has made it clear that securing access to these resources is a top priority. In the National Security Strategy issued last month, the White House emphasized the need to expand American access to critical minerals and materials. The administration has also launched a commercial diplomacy strategy, which aims to increase US exports and investment in Africa and promote business opportunities for American companies.
However, the administration’s approach to Africa has been criticized for being overly focused on trade and investment, rather than traditional diplomacy. The recall of 15 US ambassadors from Africa last month has left many posts vacant, with only 17 of the 52 US missions in Africa having a confirmed ambassador.
One of the most pressing challenges facing the Trump team is the conflict in Sudan, which has been ongoing for over a thousand days. The war has resulted in widespread violence, displacement, and humanitarian access constraints, with civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict. The US has called for a humanitarian truce, but previous efforts to end the fighting have failed.
Another key concern is the peace accord between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, which was signed in December but has failed to end the fighting. The M23 militia, backed by Rwanda, has continued to launch attacks, despite the peace agreement. The US has warned Rwanda that its actions are a clear violation of the Washington Accords and has urged the group to comply with its commitments.
Deputy Secretary of State Chris Landau is expected to travel to Kenya later this month, where mining issues will be high on his agenda. The visit will be the first by a high-ranking US official since Trump took office last year. The trip may also include stopovers in Djibouti and Egypt, highlighting the importance of the region to US interests.
As the US continues to navigate its relationships with African countries, it is clear that the continent will remain a key focus for the Trump administration. With its vast resources and strategic geopolitical position, Africa is poised to play an increasingly important role in global affairs.
