By Kabelo Mollo
I’m writing this at the desk of my hotel room after a successful opening day of the leaders of tomorrow reporting tour. It was an insightful day full of elucidating content and promises for the continent of Africa.
We are in the US, DC specifically, to follow up on the US/Africa Leaders’ summit that took place in December. You will recall 49 African leaders jetted in to the land of stars and stripes for what was heralded as a landmark summit. At the time many African leaders were gleeful when talking up the prospects of what would be take-aways from the journey.
As it happened, not one of them were able to get face time with President Biden and I’ll add, for me who was here at the time there was precious little about it on the local news. The little there was on domestic news outlets paled in comparison to what the President was putting out on his social media because he actually didn’t have a single tweet about the “landmark summit” he was anchoring.
Yesterday’s interaction however, was a much better iteration of the US Africa leaders’ summit. The high-level delegation that attended the press junket at the Foreign Press Center was marvellous. Ambassador Johnny Carson, Assistant Secretary Molly Phee, And Judd Deveremont all gave clear and detailed answers to what was a range of challenging questions.
Ambassador Carson who has been tasked with driving the implementation of US Africa leaders’ summit remarked that the trade vs aid question had come up numerous times, and confirmed that America’s position was clear and unambiguous on the matter.
The US recognises that every country requires capitalisation of industry to grow and develop sustainable entities that can hire locals and provide services for the populace.
He added that aid could come in various different forms, whether that be health care or infrastructure development or security. It was his view that America can and will be a partner in both realms.
Much of yesterday’s briefing was related to the summit, but there was also a health smattering of conversation related to other burning issues dogging the continent and America.
Special assistant Deveremont outlined America’s position on China and its influence on the continent, stating that while the US didn’t form its policy based on China’s dealings it did Keep abreast of them and adjusted accordingly.
He said where necessary the US would call China out on its misdealings. US/China relations have become ever more intriguing as BRICS has started to attract attention from other nations states. The Russia Ukraine war refereed by some as a proxy war has added to this intrigue. All three speakers were forthright, measured and erudite in addressing all of these matters.
In a follow up conversation Asst. Secretary Deveremont assured me the US is engaging its African partners regularly and made particular mention of the recent summit held in Gaborone, Botswana where he engaged Prime Minister Matekane and was able to get a grasp of the needs and desires of our leadership.
The situation is ongoing and we will do well to keep a close eye on all of these proceedings and processes.
The investment is U$56bn in total with the aim of about $800m go specifically to digital transformation. Other areas like agriculture, infrastructure and pharmaceutical industry will also be areas of focus.
