#US Secretary of State Antony Blinken
#West Africa tour
#US influence in Africa
#Sahel instability
#Beijing and Moscow influence in Africa
#Antony Blinken Côte d’Ivoire visit
#US foreign policy in Africa
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is embarking on a critical week-long tour of Africa’s west coast, with the main goal of maintaining and strengthening US influence in the region. This comes at a time when competition from Beijing and Moscow is on the rise, coupled with escalating instability in the Sahel region. Blinken’s tour will take him to Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Angola, marking his first visit to sub-Saharan Africa in ten months.
The tour comes at a time of evolving political landscapes in the region, including political changes in Niger, where the US previously supported now-ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. The US is also concerned about Russia’s expanding influence in several French-speaking African countries, particularly in the Sahel.
In response to the unstable Sahel situation, the US is considering alternative locations for a drone base, emphasizing stability in coastal countries. Blinken’s visit aims to assist these countries comprehensively in strengthening their societies and combating the expanding terrorist threat in the Sahel.
The Biden administration’s ten-year plan, announced last year, focuses on promoting stability and preventing conflict in coastal countries such as Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo. In Cape Verde, the US has praised the country’s democratic stability and has contributed around $150 million through various programs. Additionally, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Blinken will commend the country’s democratic consolidation, especially in the face of the jihadist threat.
The visit highlights the importance of US engagement in Africa and the efforts to counter the influence of other global powers in the region. As Blinken undertakes this crucial tour, the US aims to strengthen partnerships, promote stability, and address security concerns in the region.
News Summery :
– US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is visiting west coast of Africa to sustain US influence in the face of competition from Beijing and Moscow and escalating instability in the Sahel region
– Blinken’s destinations include Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Angola
– This is Blinken’s first visit to sub-Saharan Africa in ten months and comes at a time of evolving political landscapes
– Political changes in Niger and the military coup have led to diversification of partnerships and concerns about security in the Sahel
– The US is considering alternative locations for a drone base to promote stability in coastal countries
– Blinken will attend a decisive match in the African Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire and commend the country’s democratic consolidation
– The Biden administration’s ten-year plan focuses on promoting stability and preventing conflict in coastal countries
– In Cape Verde, the US has praised the democratic stability and contributed around $150 million through various programs to support the country’s development.
