US Secretary of State Blinken to visit Nigeria, others next week

The United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Nigeria, Angola Cabo Verde and Cote d’Ivoire next week.

In a press statement released by the US Mission in Abuja on Thursday, Blinken’s trip will commence from January 21-26 2024.

Throughout the trip, the Secretary will highlight how the United States has accelerated the US-Africa partnership since the US-Africa Leaders Summit, including in areas such as climate, food, and health security.

“He will also emphasize our future-focused economic partnership, and how the United States is investing in infrastructure in Africa to boost two-way trade, create jobs at home and on the continent, and help Africa compete in the global marketplace.

“Additionally, the Secretary will advance security partnerships based on shared values such as respect for human rights, promotion of democracy, and expansion of the rule of law.

“He will reaffirm US commitment to our coastal West African partners through the Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability, U.S. partnership with the Economic Community of West African States to address regional challenges, and US efforts to support African leadership in de-escalating tensions and adopting diplomatic solutions to the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo,” the statement added.

Blinken had visited Nigeria in November 2021, where he met with the former Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama.