WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said Thursday that he intends to visit Africa as his administration works to strengthen ties amid growing influence from China and Russia in the region.
“I’m eager to visit your continent,” Biden told leaders of 49 African nations at the U.S.-Africa Summit. “As I told some of you, you invited me to your countries. I said, ‘Be careful what you wish for. Because I may show up.'”
The president added: “I’m looking forward to see many of you in your home countries.”
Biden did not say which African nations he plans to visit, nor when he would make the trip.
First lady Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will also visit Africa, the president, said, as well as Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and other administration officials.
“We’re all going to be seeing you and you’re going see a lot of us because we’re deadly earnest and serious about this endeavor. And you’re going to see us deliver on our commitments.”
Former President Donald Trump was the first president since Ronald Reagan not to visit Africa. The last U.S. presidential trip to Africa came in 2013 when Barack Obama traveled to Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania.
The Biden administration this week has worked to rebuild ties to African leaders after Trump never hosted a US-Africa Summit, which was started under Obama in 2014.
In a significant move toward that end, Biden called for the African Union to join the G-20 as a permanent member.
“It’s been a long time coming, but it’s going to come,” Biden said.
Reach Joey Garrison on Twitter @joeygarrison.
Story Credit: usatoday.com