Joe Biden unveils plan to increase US influence in Africa

On December 13-15 this year, a summit was held in Washington with the participation of American President Joe Biden and the leaders of African countries.

,,The United States has a vested interest in the future of Africa’’, Biden said, addressing top officials from 49 African nations gathered for the first time since 2014.

According to the New York Times, the White House plans to strengthen its political and economic influence in Africa, which has declined significantly under the presidency of Donald Trump.

In an effort to eliminate China as its main strategic competitor, the United States wants to invest more than 55 billion dollars in the African continent. It is estimated that over the next three years, the amount will be directed primarily to the transition to green energy, digitization of the economy and food security.

Previously, Washington stated that the leaders of the African states do not want to ,,punish’’ Russia, they want a quick resolution of the conflict, thus failing to reach a common agreement with the United States regarding the resolution of the crisis in Ukraine.

,,The inconsistency arises when some states express their dissatisfaction with the sanctions and criticism of Russia, which, in their opinion, complicates the diplomatic solution’’, White House officials said.

Sabrina Singh, the Pentagon's deputy press secretary, said:,,We see Russia's presence in North Africa and its continued growth. At the same time, it is too early to talk about any response to Moscow's actions from Washington’’.