Secretary of State Antony Blinken asserted the United States’ unwavering commitment to strengthening ties with Africa, despite global challenges, as he embarked on a tour of four Atlantic Coast democracies—Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Angola.
Amid concerns about security in the Sahel and uncertainties surrounding a key US base in coup-affected Niger, Blinken highlighted President Joe Biden’s commitment to Africa, emphasizing interconnected futures and shared prosperity.
Although President Biden’s 2022 meeting with African leaders showcased heightened US attention to the continent, his unfulfilled promise to visit last year prompted Secretary Blinken’s current tour, marking his first visit to sub-Saharan Africa in 10 months.
Despite his recent focus on the Israel-Hamas conflict, Blinken quoted President Biden, affirming that the United States is “all in” when it comes to Africa.
Addressing the situation in Cape Verde, a nation cooperating with the US on law enforcement and naval activities, Blinken praised it as a “beacon of stability” and a “strong, principled voice.”
Cape Verde’s Prime Minister, Jose Ulisses Correia e Silva, condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and criticized coups in Africa, emphasizing the nation’s commitment to liberal democracy.
During his tour, Blinken visited the expanded port in Cape Verde’s capital, Praia, funded through a nearly $150 million grant from the Millennium Challenge Corporation.
The corporation, which supports countries meeting democratic standards, announced plans for a third package of aid for Cape Verde. Additionally, Prime Minister Silva invited the Peace Corps to return after a decade-long absence.
Secretary Blinken later headed to Ivory Coast, where he aimed to showcase a softer side of the United States. He attended a knockout game at the African Cup of Nations, held at a stadium built with support from China—a notable player in Africa’s increasing geopolitical landscape.
China and Russia, viewed as major global rivals by the US, have expanded their influence on the continent through infrastructure projects and military presence, respectively.
Blinken acknowledged the growing influence of China and Russia in Africa, with concerns about the Wagner mercenary group’s deployment in Mali, the Central African Republic, and allegedly Burkina Faso.
The recent visit to Moscow by a delegation from Niger, where a military coup took place after Blinken’s earlier visit, highlighted the evolving geopolitical dynamics.
While praising the democratic consolidation in Ivory Coast under President Alassane Ouattara, Blinken sought to promote a less security-driven approach to regional challenges. Ivory Coast, under Ouattara’s leadership, has experienced a period of relative stability, credited to a dual strategy of deploying forces near borders and investing in economic development.
Simultaneously, the US ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, toured West African nations—Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, and Liberia—emphasizing peaceful transitions of power and diplomatic engagements in the region.
