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Nigeria has been included in the upcoming African tour of US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, as part of a broader diplomatic engagement with the continent. The tour, scheduled from January 21 to 26, 2024, will also see Secretary Blinken visiting Cabo Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, and Angola.
The United States aims to bolster its high-level engagement with African nations, and this visit underscores the significance of diplomatic relations with the four countries selected for the mission. Nigeria, as a key player on the African continent, will be a focal point for discussions on various issues.
The US embassy in Abuja released a statement outlining the key themes of the diplomatic mission, highlighting that security partnerships will be a crucial component of the discussions.
The statement reads in part: “Throughout the trip, the Secretary will highlight how the United States has accelerated the U.S.-Africa partnership since the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, including in areas such as climate, food, and health security.
“He will also emphasize our future-focused economic partnership, and how the United States is investing in infrastructure in Africa to boost two-way trade, create jobs at home and on the continent, and help Africa compete in the global marketplace.
“Additionally, the Secretary will advance security partnerships based on shared values such as respect for human rights, promotion of democracy, and expansion of the rule of law.
“He will reaffirm U.S. commitment to our coastal West African partners through the Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability, U.S. partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to address regional challenges, and U.S. efforts to support African leadership in de-escalating tensions and adopting diplomatic solutions to the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
