The US administration wants to devote $ 55 billion over three years to the continent, while China is advancing its pawns with major projects.
by Piotr Smolar (Washington , correspondent)
A multitude of meetings and aside, a rain of press releases. A desire to be concrete too, by avoiding hollow slogans. This is how the United States – Africa Summit, organized in Washington from December 13 to 15. Eight years after the previous one, he had to illustrate the availability of the Biden administration with regard to the continent, while China advances its pawns with major projects. There was even, during an official dinner at the White House on Wednesday, a symbolic toast of the American president. “We have in memory of the men, women and stolen children who were brought back chained to our coasts, undergoing unimaginable cruelty. The original sin of my nation was this period,” he said.
A word was declined to satiety, that of partnership. For the White House, it was a question of highlighting a double favorable contrast: with Beijing, but also with the Trump era. Joe Biden said his country’s desire to support “every aspect of the inclusive growth of Africa”, emphasizing the challenges in sharing, such as food security or energy mutation.
“The economic transition of Africa depends on good governance, healthy populations, reliable and affordable energy, he said. These are things that business circles are looking for when ‘They intend to invest. “In total, nearly $ 15 billion (14 billion euros) of contracts and commitments between private companies have been concluded.
concrete pledge
The United States plans to devote $ 55 billion to African countries over the next three years. A special representative, diplomat Johnnie Carson, was appointed to ensure the follow -up of the announcements. Joe Biden also mentioned the implementation of the agreement on the African continental free trade area, which concluded in 2018, which should concern 1.3 billion people in eight years. The effort is intended in the long term. On the eve of the summit, the American national security advisor Jake Sullivan had warned: “Health, the economy, the climate, peace and security, these are not subjects that can be resolved in four years or in forty years. “
At the end of the afternoon, Joe Biden organized at the White House a meeting with delegations from six countries where elections will be held in 2023: Nigeria, Gabon, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Madagascar and The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). But it was above all the Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, who has multiplied. It carries the will of the administration to give concrete pledge of engagement alongside the guest countries.
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