US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has begun a four-country tour of Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Angola, reaffirming the United States’ commitment to strengthening relations with Africa. He met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday. Despite global crises and security concerns in the Sahel region, Blinken emphasized that the US is dedicated to deepening partnerships across the continent. President Joe Biden’s absence from Africa last year, despite hosting African leaders in 2022, has raised questions, but Blinken quoted Biden, stating, “We are all in when it comes to Africa.” In Cape Verde, Blinken commended the country’s cooperation with the US in law enforcement and naval stops, highlighting it as a “beacon of stability” and a “strong, principled voice.” Blinken will also visit Cote d’Ivoire, where he will attend a match in the Africa Cup of Nations. The Africa visit comes amidst rising global geopolitical tensions, tightened financials conditions in Africa, and the worst economic crisis on the continent since 1990s.
