InsiderBLM Africa
At the end of March, Vice President Kamala Harris will spend a week in Africa as the United States expands its engagement with the continent amid increased competition, particularly with China.
“The trip will strengthen US partnerships throughout Africa and advance our shared efforts on security and economic prosperity,” said Kirsten Allen, the vice president’s spokesperson.
Following Jill Biden, the first lady, and Janet Yellen, the secretary of the Treasury, Harris has plans. Both President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken are scheduled to visit Africa this year.
However, Harris will be closely watched because she is the first woman and Black vice president in American history.
From March 26 to 29, she intends to be in Ghana, and from March 29 to 31, she’ll be in Tanzania. Zambia will be her final stop on March 31 and April 1.
The third nation on Harris’ travel itinerary holds a special place in her heart. She went to see her maternal grandfather who used to work in Zambia when she was a young girl.
Allen stated that the vice president’s agenda will focus on advancing democracy, addressing climate change, empowering women economically, and ensuring food security.
In addition to meeting the presidents of the three nations she will be visiting, Harris wants to meet with “young leaders, business representatives, entrepreneurs, and members of the African Diaspora,” according to Allen.
The U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, which the White House hosted in December, marked the beginning of a concerted outreach effort to the continent. Although China has made significant investments in Africa, Washington positions itself as a more advantageous partner than Beijing.
During the summit, Harris said, “Our administration will be guided not by what we can do for Africa but what we can do with Africa.
The Democratic administration is attempting to calibrate its approach to Africa so that leaders on the continent don’t feel as though they are being caught in the middle of a geopolitical contest, even though competition between the U.S. and China has been the backdrop of much American foreign policy.
The White House wants to present a “affirmative agenda,” a senior administration official emphasized, one that takes into account worries about China and the fallout from Russia’s war in Ukraine but isn’t dominated by either.
