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Reuters

President Joe Biden next week will announce US support for the African Union’s admission to the G20 group of the world’s largest economies as a permanent member, a White House official said on Friday.
Biden will make the announcement during the US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington next week, White House adviser Judd Devermont said, when Biden will meet presidents of African countries.
“We need more African voices in international conversations that concern the global economy, democracy and governance, climate change, health, and security,” Devermont said.
Devermont said the move, first reported by The Washington Post, comes after requests from African Union Chair and Senegalese President Macky Sall and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
US sees Africa as a growing military competition with China and Russia
South Africa is the only G20 member from Africa. The AU is made up of 55 member states.
“It’s past time Africa has permanent seats at the table in international organizations and initiatives,” Devermont said, adding that the move builds on Washington’s strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa.
The United States released a new strategy document for sub-Saharan Africa in August, stressing the region’s importance, the threats posed by China and Russia, and vowing to extend defence cooperation with like-minded African countries.
In November, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington would have to do things differently to help Africa with its infrastructure needs and it was time to stop treating the continent as a subject of geopolitics and rather as a major player on its own.


Africa needs billions of dollars a year for roads, railways, dams and power and in the last decade has received huge sums from China, which generally does not tie money to political or rights-related conditions.
Washington has characterised Chinese lending as predatory and leading to potential debt traps, and has focused on facilitating private investment, but officials acknowledge it needs to do more speed up assistance.
The Biden administration has been criticised by some as inattentive to Africa: a common complaint about US foreign policy but one that has rung louder since China deepened its political and economic roots on the continent.
But Biden has struck a different tone from former president Donald Trump, who disparaged some African nations and barred travel from six of them.


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Africa

Joe Biden backs African Union spot in G20

US President Joe Biden speaks in the South Court Auditorium on the White House complex on Thursday. Photo: AP

From Zhejiang to Hunan, Chinese provinces are taking the reins of trade with Africa

China’s government is looking to its provinces to spearhead trade with Africa. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese aid to African security forces helps to cement ties, study says

China has provided tens of millions of dollars’ worth of security force assistance to African countries each year since 2015, according to a recent study, Photo: Shutterstock Images

 Illustration: Henry Wong

Then Politburo member Yang Jiechi meets Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa in Harare on July 3. Photo: Xinhua

Zimbabwe’s new parliament building, which was completed this year, was built and funded by China as a gift to the southern African country. Photo: Xinhua

China’s Huawei seeks to lead 5G boom in Africa, as US, Europe shut doors

Huawei Technologies Co has already built a massive telecommunications infrastructure across Africa. Photo: Agence France-Presse 

President Cyril Ramaphosa with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Pretoria, South Africa, in 2018. Photo: EPA-EFE

News

World

The president will announce his support during a summit with African leaders in Washington next week
The US recently released a new strategy document for sub-Saharan Africa in August, stressing the region’s importance, amid threats from China and Russia


The US recently released a new strategy document for sub-Saharan Africa in August, stressing the region’s importance, amid threats from China and Russia.
