Heads of state and government from Africa visit Washington Zelenskyj proposes Russia to withdraw before Christmas +++ Fighting over Bakhmut continues

Numerous heads of state and government from Africa have arrived in the US capital Washington for a three-day summit. Delegations from 49 African countries and the African Union, as well as civil society and business representatives will participate in the US-Africa Summit. Talks on investment, trade, health and climate will begin Tuesday, according to US President Joe Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan. Wednesday will include an economic meeting in which Biden will also participate. The US president will also attend talks with heads of state and government on Thursday.

“The summit is based on the recognition that Africa is a major geopolitical player. The continent will shape the future not only of the African people, but of the world as well,” Sullivan said. The aim of the meeting is to showcase Africa’s voices and priorities and to strengthen the partnership between the US and the White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre stressed that at the meeting the US was concerned with Africa’s concerns – not China and Russia disputing their growing influence on the continent.

Biden supports the inclusion of the African Union (AU) in the G20 group of leading industrialized and emerging countries — as well as reforming the UN Security Council, which would include the admission of a permanent African member, Sullivan said. The US president will address both at the summit.

The United States wants to make 55 billion dollars (52.2 billion euros) available to the African continent over the next three years to help tackle the main challenges there. Sullivan also announced that the US government would appoint a special envoy to Africa to oversee the implementation of the results of the summit from the US side. (aeg/sda/dpa)