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The United States-Africa summit opens Tuesday, December 13 in Washington, the leaders of 49 African countries and the African Union being invited for three days in the American capital, to discuss security, economy, health or even climate change. The United States wants to reaffirm its interest in the African continent, after the presidency of Donald Trump.
The US president engages in a catch-up exercise, says a West African source. If each country has its own expectations, indicates this same source, the whole continent is delighted with the return of Washington. During his tenure, Joe Biden’s predecessor, Donald Trump had never hidden his disinterest in Africa : it is the second vertex after the one organized by Barack Obama in 2014, reports our special correspondent in Washington, Magali Lagrange.
The topics of discussion during these three days are varied: the fight against terrorism, against climate change, food security, economy or even Agoa, named after the agreement that aims to facilitate African exports to the United Stateswhich is extended until 2025.
On the American side, there is a desire to get closer to Africa, at a time when other partners have become more important on the continent, such as China or Russia. The United States also wants to emphasize the importance of African voices on the international stage.
A dialogue ” open » et « even with those with whom there are differences »
Having invited 49 countries plus the AU, the United States wants a summit ” open », « even with those with whom there are differences “, insists the Assistant Secretary of State in charge of Africa Molly Phee, adding that “ it reflects the President’s and Secretary of State’s commitment to respectful discussions ».
A business forum will also take place before the culmination of the reception at the White House on Thursday. For the American administration, it is above all a question of getting closer to the continent. The change in tone is intended to be complete: dialogue, priorities and shared interests are the elements of language that recur, according to our correspondent in Washington, Guillaume Naudin.
Washington announces $55 billion over three years for Africa
Shortly before, US President Jake Sullivan’s national security adviser announced that the United States ” will devote 55 billion dollars to Africa over three years “. The funds would be specifically dedicated to health and the response to climate change, but without giving details on their origin or distribution.
He assured that this funding, and more generally the American commitment, would not be linked to the attitude of African countries towards the war in Ukraine, at a time when many of them refuse to openly condemn Russia.
Within the African Union (AU), a source welcomes Washington’s availability on these topics… but specifies that the continent’s strategy consists in diversifying its international partners, whether it be the United States, the Chine or the European Union. She specifies that partnerships are mainly measured by the realization of projects, beyond the effects of announcements.
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Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Sudan absent
But several countries of the continent will not be represented at this meeting, Magali Lagrange.
Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Sudan have not received their invitation card for the Washington summit. These four countries, which have experienced coups, are under African Union sanctions and the United States says it took the AU line. Chad, on the other hand, is invited since he is not under sanctions from the continental organization.
Two other AU members are not invited, says the United States. Eritrea – with which Washington specifies that it does not have full diplomatic relations – and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. Under the presidency of Donald Trump, the United States recognized the Moroccanness » du Sahara Occidentala position then confirmed by Joe Biden.
All the other 49 countries of the continent are invited to Washington, plus the African Union. With 50 invitations sent, the United States wants a summit ” open “. And to cut short the criticism of some invitations, Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Molly Phee says that ” it reflects the President’s and Secretary of State’s commitment to respectful discussions, even with those with whom there are differences ».
Cameroonian President Paul Biya in Washington after years of strained relations
Among those who responded, Cameroonian President Paul Biya arrived on Saturday December 10 evening. See you soon 90 years, he now rarely participates in events of this type and had not been to the United States since a UN general assembly in 2017. His presence underlines a certain desire to reconcile with Washington after several years of delicate relations against a background of crisis in the English-speaking regions.
Over the course of the conflict, which began in late 2016, Washington has hardened its tone as accusations of human rights violations have been brought against the Cameroonian defense and security forces.
In February 2019, the US administration thus ended several military assistance and training programs, and blocked a delivery of equipment. Then, in November of the same year, President Donald Trump expelled Cameroon from Agoa. If on the ground, the conflict continues, the Cameroonian delegation will nevertheless plead for a return of the country to the agreement during this summit focused on trade and investment.
The Cameroonian delegation, made up of ten members, will also seek to obtain more support in the fight against the financing of armed separatist groups. Cameroon has noted progress on this subject with the indictment two weeks ago by the American courts of three Americans of Cameroonian origin who had collected $ 350,000 online: the money would have been used to acquire weapons, explosives , but also to prepare kidnappings in the North-West and South-West regions.
The Cameroonian press relayed the possibility of a head-to-head between Paul Biya and Joe Biden. However, the organizers assure that the American president does not plan any aside with the participants at the summit.
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