US Secretary of State Blinken Makes Historic Trip to Niger

Facts

• US Sec. of State Antony Blinken is set to embark on an official trip to the continent of Africa on Thursday. The visit see him become the first serving Sec. of State to travel to the Niger and the highest-ranking member of the Biden admin. to visit the violence-stricken Sahel region.¹
• Thursday's trip will be the fourth visit to Africa made by high-ranking Biden admin. officials — First Lady Jill Biden, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, and the US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield have all completed trips to the continent.²
• During his travels, Blinken is scheduled to visit Ethiopia to discuss with PM Abiy Ahmed the peace agreement that ended the two-year-long Tigray war. The violent conflict displaced millions and killed tens of thousands — foreign troops remain in the region as the resulting humanitarian crisis is ongoing.³
• In 2022, consternation grew between Ethiopia and the US after the former country was removed from a lucrative trade pact due to accusations from Washington that Ethiopia had committed 'gross violations of internationally recognized human rights.' It is hoped Blinken's trip will restore diplomatic relations by publicly praising Ahmed for his success in participating in the peace agreement.⁴
• Frequent visits from US officials come as concern is growing over the increased influence and interest in Africa from Russia and China. A recent report detailed that the two countries are expanding their influence with significant investments in trade, infrastructure, natural resources, and arms sales.⁵
• In addition to rebuilding the relationship between the US and Ethiopia, the trip will highlight Washington's provision of a significant boost in humanitarian aid to the nation. On Thursday, while visiting Addis Ababa, Blinken announced a new round of aid worth $331M intended to combat 'conflict, drought, and food insecurity.'⁶

Sources: ¹Al Jazeera, ²Associated Press, ³Reuters, ⁴New York Times, ⁵FOX News and ⁶France 24.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Brookings. In 2021, the Biden admin. stood strong against the atrocities taking place in Ethiopia by announcing a plan to release a package of sanctions aimed at discouraging the warring parties from continuing combat.  The US government went the extra mile to ensure that the harsh sanctions would not adversely affect humanitarian aid, following a hard lesson learned from the Obama administration's efforts in Somalia in 2011. By engaging with European partners to consolidate support, thoroughly considered intervention seems to have done the trick at stabilizing the region.
• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Al mariam's commentaries. The Biden admin. wants people to believe that they care about Ethiopians, but it has a history of turning a blind eye to atrocities and humanitarian violations in the country. Blinken, Biden, and Rice are the trio to watch, having ignored the Mai Cadra Massacres in 2020, revenge killings by the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), and the TPLF's targeted destruction of roads and bridges used for humanitarian aid. The US is motivated by geopolitical influence, not the men, women, or even the children suffering in Ethiopia.

Predictions