“Blinken’s Diplomatic Mission Extends to Africa Amid Ongoing Global Crises”

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"Blinken's Diplomatic Mission Extends to Africa Amid Ongoing Global Crises"

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Secretary of State Antony Blinken plans to visit four African countries as the Biden administration seeks to maintain global engagement amid pressing issues in Ukraine, the Middle East, and the Red Sea.

The State Department announced on Thursday that Blinken will travel to Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Angola starting Sunday for discussions centered on regional security, conflict prevention, democracy promotion, and trade. Nigeria, as West Africa’s regional leader, holds significant influence in security matters, particularly concerning Islamic extremist violence in the Sahel, the vast arid region south of the Sahara Desert.

This trip will mark Blinken’s third international mission this year. He recently returned from a week-long visit to 10 Middle Eastern nations focusing on Gaza and attended the World Economic Forum in Switzerland for three days.

Blinken’s visit to Africa coincides with growing concerns about U.S. relations on the continent, especially following coups in Niger and Gabon last year, as well as escalating unrest in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Moreover, the U.S. and China are engaged in a competition for influence across Africa, a topic likely to feature prominently in discussions in Angola, which China has targeted for substantial investment.

According to department spokesman Matthew Miller, Blinken will emphasize the administration’s collaboration with African nations on climate issues, economic investment, food security, and healthcare.

During his time in Ivory Coast, Blinken may attend an Africa Cup of Nations soccer match between the host country and Equatorial Guinea.