US Vice President Kamala Harris (L) and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema (R) are seen at the State House in Lusaka on 31 March 2023 during a press conference. Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema asked the United States on Friday to help expedite debt restructuring negotiations with the country’s creditors during a visit by Vice President Kamala Harris.
- A total of 17 senior American diplomats visited 26 African countries this year, as the US sought to deepen its relationship with the continent.
- China and Russia have similarly sought partnership on the continent.
- The US says it will call for more African seats at the International Monetary Fund board and the UN Security Council.
United States President Joe Biden promised he would visit Africa this year – and didn’t. But even so, relations between America and the continent are strong and growing stronger, his administration said, at a time when both Russia and China are pushing for closer ties with key African countries.
The most senior American diplomat out of the 17 who came to Africa was Vice-President Kamala Harris. She went to Ghana, Tanzania, and Zambia in May.
Between them, senior diplomats, such as cabinet ministers and heads of departments and agencies, covered 26 African countries, or about half the continent.
Junior diplomats, such as deputy secretaries, undersecretaries, and assistant secretaries, also made trips to Africa, mostly under the radar.
The US had made good on most of its promises to the continent, National Security Council Senior Director for African Affairs Judd Devermont said at a press briefing this week.
For instance, at a 2022 US African Leaders Summit (which was not held in 2023), Biden had promised to push for more representation of Africa in global affairs and decision-making. In September this year, Africa got a seat on the G20.
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Going into next year, Devermont said, the US will push for more roles to be given to Africa.
“We’re now advocating for a third seat for sub-Saharan Africa on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) board, and of course, we reiterate our call for permanent representation for Africa at the United Nations Security Council,” he said.
Africa had its fair share of challenges in 2023 that ranged from coups, internal strife, and unconstitutional changes in government.
The US has been involved in trying to redirect conflict areas towards the path of democracy. Some of the measures were to support regional blocs such as the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), the East African Community (EAC), and the continental body, the Africa Union.
Sanctions were a traditional tool used by the US in countries faced with democratic challenges.
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Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of African Affairs Jonathan Pratt said the US was equally prepared to lift the restrictions if targeted countries were showing signs and willingness to improve.
He said:
If the country and the leadership there [where there are unconstitutional changes in government or violations of democratic principles] turn back to a democratic path, we’re willing to explore progressively lifting that freeze in assistance and potential investments. So there’s a combination of sanctions plus leveraging our engagement and assistance.
At the US-African Leaders Summit last year, the US promised to invest R929 billion (US$55 billion) in Africa over three years.
By projections, the US claims that it has already invested “more than 40 percent of this commitment; by the end of year two, we anticipate surpassing 70 percent of our goal, if not more,” said Devermont.
The News24 Africa Desk is supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation. The stories produced through the Africa Desk and the opinions and statements that may be contained herein do not reflect those of the Hanns Seidel Foundation.