US’s Blinken starts four-nation West Africa tour to boost democracies amid Sahel concerns

The US top diplomat’s tour of four African countries began on Monday (22 January) with a visit to Cape Verde, as the Biden administration seeks to prove the United States is a key partner on a continent where China and Russia have sought to expand their influence.
In Cape Verde, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with the island nation’s Prime Minister, Ulisses Correia e Silva, with the two leaders welcoming the shared values between both countries in promoting democracy, good governance, and human rights. According to the US State Department, during his Africa tour, Blinken was expected to emphasize US infrastructure investment in the continent as a way to “boost two-way trade, create jobs at home and on the continent, and help Africa compete in the global marketplace.”
After Cape Verde, Blinken is also slated to visit Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Angola in a bid to show that Africa remains a priority for Washington amid a slew of global crises. This is his third international trip of the year amid Israel’s bloody offensive in Gaza, continuing attacks by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, and as Russia’s war on Ukraine heads into its third year. Blinken’s tour of Africa also comes against the backdrop of mounting efforts by Russia and China, the US’ two major geopolitical rivals, to exert power in the continent.
Describing the African nations as “incredibly important countries that require US engagement,” State Department spokesperson, Matt Miller, has stressed that “we have challenges on the continent of Africa, but … we also have a lot of opportunities that the president has made a priority, and the secretary has made a priority.” Blinken is expected to discuss economic issues, as well as security, including the terrorist threat in the Sahel, including the military coup in Niger.