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US President Joe Biden is preparing to defend the integration of the African Union into the G20. This group brings together the nineteen most advanced economies in the world as well as the European Union. The announcement will be made next week at the US-Africa Summit, which is due to kick off in Washington on Tuesday, December 13.
« It is high time for Africa to have permanent seats at the table of international organizations and initiatives said Judd Devermont, executive director for African affairs at the White House Security Council. ” We need more African voices in international conversations regarding the global economy, democracy and governance, climate change, health and security “, he added.
For now, only South Africa is part of the G20. Washington will therefore plead for the integration of the African Union during this United States-Africa summit which is held over three days. The subject will be discussed in particular with India, president of the G20 in 2023.
The United States does not hide it: it wants to get closer to Africa while China and Russia cultivate a growing influence there. Joe Biden has previously supported the demand of African countries to have permanent seats on the UN Security Council. He will have three days to court the heads of state of the continent gathered in Washington next week, for this second United States – Africa summit.
Friendly relations between the United States and Senegal
The Biden administration has more broadly supported the African Union’s diplomatic role on the continent, and cultivated friendly relations with the current AU chair, the Senegalese head of state. Macky Sall, which is expected next week at the summit in Washington. Host of the G20 last month, Indonesia had also invited Macky Sall to participate in Bali.
All the leaders of the member countries of the African Union were invited, with the exception of the transitional presidents of Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Sudan. These countries being suspended from the organization since their coup. the first US summit – Africa which was held in 2014, was an initiative of Barack Obama.
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(And with AFP)
