January 18, (THEWILL) – US Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken, will visit four African countries, including Nigeria next week.
The visit, scheduled between January 21 and 26, is part of the United States’ high-level engagement with Africa.
A statement by the US embassy in Abuja stated that discussion on security partnership will be part of the items to be brought to the table during Blinken’s tour of Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Angola.
The statement reads in part: “Throughout the trip, the Secretary will highlight how the United States has accelerated the U.S.-Africa partnership since the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, including in areas such as climate, food, and health security.
“He will also emphasise our future-focused economic partnership, and how the United States is investing in infrastructure in Africa to boost two-way trade, create jobs at home and on the continent, and help Africa compete in the global marketplace.
“Additionally, the Secretary will advance security partnerships based on shared values such as respect for human rights, promotion of democracy, and expansion of the rule of law.
“He will reaffirm U.S. commitment to our coastal West African partners through the Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability, U.S. partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to address regional challenges, and U.S. efforts to support African leadership in de-escalating tensions and adopting diplomatic solutions to the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
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