US Secretary of State to visit Nigeria, three other African countries
US Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken, will be visiting Nigeria and three other countries in Africa this month.
Blinken’s African tour is scheduled to take place between January 21 and 26, 2024.
The visit, said to be a part of the US’s high-level engagement with Africa, would see the Secretary of State travel to Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Angola during this diplomatic mission.
According to a statement by the US embassy in Abuja, discussion on security partnership will be part of the items to be brought to the table during the tour.
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 emphasize 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.”
