US Secretary Blinken to Visit Nigeria, Three Other African Countries

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

United States Secretary Antony Blinken will be travelling to Nigeria and three other African countries from January 21-26

The three other countries are Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire and Angola.

According to a statement by US Embassy in Nigeria, 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.  

The statement added that: “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.”

The United States reaffirmed its sustained commitment to high-level U.S. engagement with Africa.