The Biden Administration aims to re-focus on Africa as Russia and China seek gains by sending U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to four West-African countries next week.
Starting Sunday, Blinken will travel to Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Angola during this weeklong trip the State Department announced Thursday. The Secretary will discuss ways to strengthen U.S.-African partnerships through security, conflict prevention, trade, and job growth in the global marketplace.
This is Blinken’s first trip to Sub-Saharan Africa for the first time in nearly a year.
The emphasis on security talks is due to recent coups in Niger and Gabon and warfare over critical minerals between active rebel groups and government-backed militias in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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The U.S. has also expressed concern over the growing influence of China and Russia on the continent. On Tuesday, Russia’s Wagner mercenary group and Niger agreed to military cooperation.
Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are also likely to be discussed during Blinken’s trip. The DRC has cobalt and coltan – critical elements in batteries that power mobile phones, laptops, and electric vehicles. This has contributed to an increase in competition between the U.S and China.
