The US Secretary of State has travelled to the African continent for the second time in an effort to strengthen diplomatic and trade relations

Blinken unveils the new US strategy for the region in South Africa

photo_camera AP/EVAN VUCCI - Secretary of State Antony Blinken

In the midst of his second diplomatic tour, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has presented the White House's new strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa, a region Blinken called "a major geopolitical force" as Russia and China continue to make inroads on the continent.

According to Blinken, the new strategy is "driven by the recognition that Africa is a geopolitical force" that "shaped our past" and continues to "shape our present and will shape our future". Also, trying to play down the fact that the US has decided to revisit the continent for the second time in the same year, Blinken said that "the US will not dictate to Africa or or anyone else what decisions to make. The right to make those decisions belongs to Africans and Africans alone"

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As for security issues on the continent, the Secretary of State said that the solution is not "Wagner or any other kind of mercenaries" but lies in "creating more effective defence forces that respect people's rights, as well as addressing the marginalisation that leads many people to join armed groups".

Likewise, the US diplomat once again condemned Russia's military invasion of Ukraine and lamented the fact that this conflict has worsened the economic situation on the continent, which has led to a rise in food and fertiliser prices, as well as the cessation of commodity exports.

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For this reason, the US diplomat has insisted on the interest of Biden's government in protecting Ukraine's sovereignty and, therefore, in trying to avoid new territorial aggressions against other countries that could suffer Russian attacks.

According to the White House, the new US strategy in the region will be based on four pillars, including the sovereignty and independence of African countries, the promotion and defence of democracy, Africa's adaptation to the climate crisis, and economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Alongside this, Washington has again criticised China's presence in Africa as part of its 'One Belt, One Road' strategy. In this plan, China aims to expand its economic influence on the African continent through trade agreements, significantly expanding both China's economic and political influence.

Thus, in the text issued by the White House, the US has criticised China as a power that uses Africa "as a major arena to challenge the rules-based international order, advance its own commercial and geopolitical interests, undermine transparency and openness, and weaken US relations with African peoples and governments".

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Looking ahead, Blinken explained that the US wants "a real relationship" with Africa in which Washington "offers a choice" in which it does not impose a "must choose", referring to China and Russia.

The fact that the continent will account for a quarter of the world's population by 2050, as well as being very rich in natural areas, means that, for Blinken, Africa "represents the future", which will lead to future investments by the United States.

Americas Coordinator: José Antonio Sierra.

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