Biden hosts African leaders in Washington for discussions and collaborations

Biden hosts African leaders in Washington for discussions and collaborations

A Fresh Take on the U.S.-Africa Leaders' Summit: A New Era of Collaboration

Gearing up for a pivotal conversation, U.S. President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and his team are preparing for the U.S.-Africa Leaders' Summit, scheduled for December 13-15 in Washington. This event, unlike its predecessors, promises to revitalize and rejuvenate ties between the United States and African nations, with discussions centered around the economy, democracy, and governance, climate change, health and security, women, youth, and education.

In stark contrast to the previous administration's lackluster approach and derogatory rhetoric, the Biden administration aims to elevate Africa on the global stage and wholeheartedly support its transformation across various sectors, as the world undergoes a rapid transformation.

According to recent reports, a significant move by the Biden administration involves advocating for the African Union's admission as a permanent member of the G-20. Including Africa within this prestigious group would offer a powerful platform to debate pressing issues, overcome existing obstacles, and drive sustainable development throughout the continent.

The current G-20 members include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Britain, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United States, and the European Union. Notably, South Africa is the sole African member in the group.

The Biden administration's push for a more prominent role for Africa in international bodies is a welcome initiative. This decision comes following humble requests from the African Union Chair, Macky Sall (President of Senegal) and the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa.

However, the White House has reportedly not scheduled one-on-one meetings with all the 50 African leaders attending the summit. Moreover, several countries, including Sudan, Guinea, Mali, and Burkina Faso, were not invited due to their current suspension from the African Union following recent coups and counter coups in West Africa.

Eritrea, though a country with which the United States once had diplomatic relations following its independence from Ethiopia, was also excluded due to ongoing human rights concerns, such as the detention of political dissidents, limitations on civil liberties, and violations of religious freedom.

The U.S. has no diplomatic relations with Western Sahara, a disputed territory on the northwest coast of Africa, and as a result, it was not invited to the summit. Similarly, Somaliland and the United States currently do not have official diplomatic relations. Consequently, these countries were not among the 49 African heads of state and the chairperson of the African Union Commission who were invited to the summit.

Looking ahead, the Biden administration will consider the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which expires in 2025, and is crucial to trade relations between the two regions. This question is also connected to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The summit will provide an opportunity to discuss the implementation and improvement of AGOA, as well as to examine ways to expand economic cooperation, strengthen regional economic integration, and achieve higher utilization rates.

Beyond trade and investment, the Obama administration launched the Young African Leadership Initiative, focusing on engaging with the youthful African population and equipping them with the necessary skills to be leaders. During the summit, the Young African Leader Diaspora Forum will be one of the notable manifestations of this initiative.

In essence, the U.S.-Africa Leaders' Summit signifies a shift towards a more engaging, collaborative, and economically driven partnership with Africa. The discussions promise to address challenges, break down barriers, and focus on building long-term relationships for a brighter future. The U.S. demonstrates a desire to cooperate with African partners, working within the framework of the African Union's Agenda 2063, with shared goals of overcoming contemporary challenges and securing a more prosperous, stable, and interconnected Africa.

Insight: The U.S.-Africa Leaders' Summit, despite its historical significance, represents far more than a diplomatic event. It is a stepping stone towards a better, more collaborative partnership between the United States and Africa, with potential implications for economic growth, diversification of partnerships, enhanced security, and self-sufficiency across the African continent.

1. The U.S.-Africa Leaders' Summit, taking place from December 13-15, will focus on revitalizing ties between the United States and African nations, with discussions covering topics like trade, business, education, youth, health, economy, and development.
2. Unlike its predecessors, this summit promises to elevate Africa on the global stage and support its transformation, as the world undergoes rapid change.
3. The Biden administration is advocating for the African Union's admission as a permanent member of the G-20, which could offer a platform to debate pressing issues and drive sustainable development in Africa.
4. The current G-20 members include countries like Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Britain, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United States, and the European Union.
5. The Biden administration's push for a more prominent role for Africa in international bodies has been triggered by requests from the African Union Chair, Macky Sall (President of Senegal), and the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa.
6. However, the White House has not scheduled one-on-one meetings with all the 50 African leaders attending the summit, and some countries like Sudan, Guinea, Mali, and Burkina Faso were not invited due to recent coups and counter coups in West Africa.
7. Eritrea was also excluded due to ongoing human rights concerns, while Western Sahara and Somaliland, which have no official diplomatic relations with the United States, were not invited either.
8. The future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which expires in 2025, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will be discussed during the summit, with opportunities to expand economic cooperation and strengthen regional economic integration.
9. Beyond trade and investment, the Young African Leadership Initiative focusing on youth empowerment will be represented at the summit through the Young African Leader Diaspora Forum.
10. Science, health-and-wellness, climate-change, environmental-science, finance, leadership, policy-and-legislation, and general-news are among the numerous areas that could benefit from the collaborative partnership that the U.S.-Africa Leaders' Summit aims to foster.
11. The summit signifies a shift towards a more engaged, collaborative, and economically driven partnership with Africa, aiming to address challenges, break down barriers, and secure a brighter future for both parties.

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