Simon Ateba is Chief White House Correspondent for Today News Africa covering President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. government, UN, IMF, World Bank and other financial and international institutions in Washington and New York.
In a series of coordinated trips to reinforce ties with African nations, high-ranking U.S. officials are visiting various countries on the continent to discuss multiple issues, from climate change to humanitarian assistance.
Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, has traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, where he will be from September 4-7. Kerry is set to participate in the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, emphasizing the U.S. efforts under President Biden’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience (PREPARE) initiative. This initiative aims to assist half a billion people in developing countries, predominantly in Africa, to adapt to climate challenges this decade.
Similarly, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Representative to the United Nations, is visiting Chad and Cabo Verde from September 5-9. She plans to assess the humanitarian response for populations fleeing the Sudan conflict in Chad. The Ambassador will also hold talks with the Transitional President of Chad, Mahamat Deby, focusing on the regional implications of the Sudan crisis.
From September 4-8, USAID Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman will emphasize U.S. commitment to supporting Africa’s inclusive and climate-smart economic growth. In Tanzania, she will attend the Africa Food Systems Forum 2023 Summit, discussing the global food security crisis’s impact on Africa. Coleman’s visit to Malawi will center around understanding the country’s macroeconomic challenges and reaffirming the U.S. dedication to advancing its private sector-led economic growth.
The visits highlight the U.S. government’s multifaceted approach to deepening ties and addressing key African challenges.