Biden Hosts Kenyan President as Russia, China Make Inroads in Africa
The president is trying to bolster relations in Africa amid the encroaching threats of adversaries.
President Joe Biden welcomed Kenyan President William Ruto to the White Home on Wednesday, Could 22, for the nation’s first state go to by an African chief since 2008.
Upon Mr. Ruto’s arrival, the pair briefly posed for pictures exterior earlier than heading into a gathering with enterprise leaders from each international locations.
The roundtable dialogue will deal with how the 2 nations can collaborate on know-how and innovation. Different subjects the 2 leaders are anticipated to handle this week embrace debt aid and international peace and safety.
Mr. Ruto’s four-day go to—which began in Atlanta on Tuesday—comes as Kenya prepares to steer a United Nations-backed safety help mission to fight gang warfare in Haiti.
The East African nation postponed its deployment of 1,000 law enforcement officials for the initiative in March amid the resignation of Haiti’s former Prime Minister Ariel Henry. These forces are slated to reach in Haiti inside the coming weeks and are anticipated to be bolstered by help from the Bahamas, Barbados, Benin, Chad, and Bangladesh.
Commenting on the safety mission Wednesday, nationwide safety adviser Jake Sullivan stated the USA can be “firmly dedicated” to supporting Kenya in its efforts. He added that the administration additionally appreciates Kenya’s “sturdy, principled, constant stance” on Ukraine’s sovereignty amid the latter’s conflict with Russia.
“Via this go to, which can unfold by way of a sequence of occasions and culminate in a state dinner tomorrow night time, we’re demonstrating how, as President Biden has stated himself, the USA is all-in on Africa and all-in with Africa,” Mr. Sullivan stated.
“Most significantly, we’re recognizing our wealthy historical past of partnership, friendship, and help for Kenya and specializing in our shared future.”
Encroaching Threats
Mr. Sullivan’s remarks subtly hinted at a matter of accelerating concern for U.S. leaders: Africa’s strengthening ties to Russia and China.
Niger’s navy junta, for instance, has ended its safety agreements with European companions and turned towards Russia for that objective. The African nation is the world’s seventh-largest producer of uranium, which is used to create nuclear weapons.
The rising affect of China and Russia in Africa has frightened Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), who traveled to Africa final yr as a part of a congressional delegation.
Mr. Panetta stated in December that almost all post-coup nations in Africa had turned away from the USA and Europe due to a scarcity of engagement.
“They need American engagement, however, sadly, there wasn’t that financial engagement,” he stated. ”So, who did they go to? They went to the Chinese language.”
President Biden had promised to go to Sub-Saharan Africa final yr, however the journey by no means materialized.
Throughout a Tuesday press gaggle, White Home press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was requested what that claims in regards to the energy of the USA’ relationship with Africa.
Ms. Jean-Pierre replied that U.S.–African relations had been “crucial and vital.”
“We sought out a state go to not solely to acknowledge the strategic significance of our partnership with Kenya but additionally to forge new paths forward as we sort out frequent international priorities,” she stated, including that the president would make that clear on Thursday.
President Biden and First Girl Jill Biden will host a state dinner for Mr. Ruto and his spouse on the White Home on Thursday to mark the sixtieth anniversary of the USA’ partnership with Kenya.
The occasion will characteristic a summer-inspired menu and performances from nation music artist Brad Paisley and the Howard College Gospel Choir.
Andrew Thornebrooke, Darren Taylor, and The Related Press contributed to this report.