US Vice President Harris Begins Africa Trip

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Facts

  • US Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday arrived in Ghana for the first leg of her weeklong trip to Africa, which is intended to deepen ties between the US and African nations amid China and Russia's growing influence.1
  • Harris, speaking in Accra, Ghana's capital, referred to the long-lasting and "very important" US-Africa relationship. She also said she plans to promote economic growth and food security on the continent.2
  • During her visit, Harris will discuss strengthening democracy and regional security issues, and work to deepen business ties with Ghana's President, Nana Addo Darkwa Akufo-Addo. She will reportedly announce public and private sector investments across the continent, many of which will be aimed at economic empowerment for women and girls.3
  • As part of her March 26-29 Ghana visit, Harris will also hold talks on China's involvement in African technology and economic sectors that affect Washington's interests, as well as Beijing's role in restructuring African sovereign debt.4
  • Harris' trip will also stop in Tanzania and Zambia.5
  • Previously, before a December US-Africa summit, the US pledged $55B to the continent over the next three years, and US Sec. of State Antony Blinken announced $150M in humanitarian aid to Africa's Sahel region this month on a visit to Niger.6

Sources: 1Al Jazeera, 2News Ghana, 3Ghana Business News, 4 Trt World, 5DW, and 6Daily Mail.

Narratives

  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Global Times. Harris can try her best to woo Africa to side with the US, but times have changed. African nations now know they have a choice between the infamous "friendship" with the West's imperialist and neocolonial powers and mutually beneficial political and economic cooperation with China in a more fair, multi-polar world order.
  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Politico. Africans know of the increasing threat of exploitation by China and Russia. On the other hand, the US and Africa should be able to put their rocky past behind them and forge a transparent and inclusive relationship that will protect Africa from China while giving the US and Western institutions an advantage on the global stage.