Blinken Kicks off Four-Nation Africa Tour

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Facts

  • US Sec. of State Antony Blinken began a tour of West Africa on Monday, visiting Cape Verde, the Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Angola to strengthen ties with African democracies amid major global conflicts and a deteriorating security situation in the Sahel.1
  • On his first stop in the Portuguese-speaking archipelago of Cape Verde, Blinken noted that the US's future and prosperity are linked to those of the African nations, which he said played an increasingly significant global role. He also stressed that Washington 'is committed to deepening, strengthening, and broadening partnerships across Africa.'2
  • Blinken held talks with Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva and visited the port in the capital, Praia, which was awarded funding for modernization efforts by the US Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a US aid agency. He praised Cape Verde for being the only country to complete two MCC grant programs and now launch a third.3
  • For his part, Prime Minister Correia e Silva said that his country was 'guided by the values of liberal democracy,' adding that his government condemned 'Russia's invasion of Ukraine' and the 'terrorist act of Hamas in Israel' while expressing support for a two-state solution. He continued by referring to the US, the EU, and the UK as strategic security partners.4
  • On his second leg in Ivory Coast Tuesday, Blinken praised the 'strong and growing bond' between the US and the West African country and stressed Washington's awareness of African countries increasingly 'leading on issues of global consequence.' In talks with Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara, growing bilateral trade ties and the regional security situation were also discussed.5
  • Blinken welcomed the Ivory Coast's opposition to last year's coup in Niger and praised its approach to internal security as a 'very powerful model for other countries.' He also announced an additional $45M for West African countries under a plan to combat instability, with Ouattara saying that his country, like the US, remained 'very committed to democracy and justice.'6

Sources: 1Al Jazeera, 2Sahara Reporters, 3VOA (a), 4United States Department of State, 5VOA (b) and 6France 24.

Narratives

  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by The New York Times. Blinken's return to Africa proves that Washington understands Africa's growing relevance to its future. Washington's primary concern is not to combat the influence of China and Russia on the continent but to promote stability and democratic rule in Africa while protecting its interests through mutually beneficial cooperation. The US has much to offer Africa, and Blinken's visit proves that the US model of freedom and prosperity has not lost its appeal. The US government is pursuing a forward-looking policy of political and economic cooperation that will benefit Africa, the US, and the international community.
  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Global Times. Blinken's Africa charm offensive primarily serves the goal of containing the constantly expanding Chinese and Russian influence over the Africa continent. Washington's actions are thus motivated by geopolitical considerations, with African governments' interests playing only a subordinate role in this zero-sum game. The US has never bothered whether a country is 'democratic' or not, as long as its interests are served, and, unlike China, the US lacks a pragmatic, long-term, and therefore credible Africa policy at eye level. For too long, the West has seen Africa as its backyard, but the continent will no longer bow to hypocritical power politics.

Predictions