Next week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Angola.
This marks his third international mission of the new year.
He recently concluded a weeklong tour across 10 nations in the Middle East with a focus on Gaza, returning last Thursday.
Additionally, he attended the World Economic Forum in Switzerland for three days, concluding on Wednesday.
Blinken’s journey to Africa comes amid growing U.S. concerns about its relationships on the continent, particularly following coups in Niger and Gabon last year, as well as rising unrest in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The U.S. and China are engaged in a battle for influence across Africa, with Angola being a focal point for significant Chinese investment.
During his visit, Blinken will emphasize the administration’s partnership with African nations on issues like climate, economic investment, food, and health, according to Department spokesman Matthew Miller.
Additionally, there’s a possibility Blinken may attend an Africa Cup of Nations soccer match in Ivory Coast between the host country and Equatorial Guinea.
