• Seeks Congress’ permission to lend $21b to IMF for Africa
• U.S. commits to $55b spending in Africa
U.S. President, Joe Biden, yesterday, said he would support African Union (AU) joining the G20 group of large economies as a permanent member. He said this is part of Washington’s efforts to reinvigorate ties with the region. He added that over the next three years, the US would provide $55 billion in aid to Africa
Biden, speaking at a U.S.-Africa leaders summit event on the AU Agenda 2063, said the United States is looking to increase collaboration in all areas.
He said: “Africa belongs to the table in every room where global challenges are being discussed, and in every institution where discussions are holding. It’s been a long time in coming, but it’s going to come.”
South Africa is currently the only G20 member from Africa. The AU is made up of 55 member states. Biden’s remarks, and the summit, aim to position the United States as a partner to African countries amid competition with China, which sought to expand its influence by funding infrastructure projects on the continent and elsewhere.
Chinese trade with Africa is about four times that of the United States, and Beijing has become an important creditor by offering cheaper loans – often with opaque terms and collateral requirements – than Western lenders.
Having a seat at the table could help some African nations, many of which are not currently eligible for debt treatments under the G20 plan, advance their interests.
It will also give them a bigger say in key issues such as, the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change and mounting frustration that rich countries are not taking enough responsibility for years of rampant fossil fuel usage that has contributed to global warming.
Also, President Biden said he plans to visit Africa. “I’m eager to visit your continent. As I told some of you, when you invited me to your countries. I said, ‘Be careful what you wish for. Because I may show up.’”
The president added: “I’m looking forward to see many of you in your home countries.” However, Biden did not say, which African nations he plans to visit, nor when he would make the trip.
First Lady, Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will also visit Africa, the President, said, as well as Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken; Defence Secretary, Lloyd Austin; Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen and other officials.
“We’re all going to be seeing you and you’re going see a lot of us, because we’re deadly earnest and serious about this endeavour. And you’re going to see us deliver on our commitments.”
Former President Donald Trump was the first president since Ronald Reagan not to visit Africa. The last U.S. presidential trip to Africa came in 2013 when Barack Obama travelled to Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania.
The Biden administration this week has worked to rebuild ties with African leaders after Trump never hosted a US-Africa Summit, which was started under Obama in 2014.
AU Chairman and President of Senegal, Macky Sall, expressed gratitude to Biden, and pleaded that economic sanctions that have crippled Zimbabwe’s economy should be rescinded.
“And with this summit, and with the African Unions Agenda 2063, our eyes are fixed squarely on the future. African voices, African leadership, African innovation all are critical to addressing the most pressing global challenges towards realising the vision we all share: a world that is free, a world that is open, prosperous, and secure.”
THEGUARDIAN
