On Wednesday, United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken commenced his maiden tour of Africa in Nairobi, Kenya. The five-day tour will see the top diplomat visit Kenya, Nigeria, and Senegal to establish new relations with the continent as a part of US President Joe Biden’s “America is Back” foreign policy.
Blinken’s tour takes place amid escalated tensions in Ethiopia and Sudan, both places he notably skipped visiting. However, stability in Ethiopia and Sudan remains a top priority for Washington as it expands its diplomatic engagement in the Horn of Africa.
In October, a military coup led by General Abdel-Fattah Burhan thwarted Sudan’s transition to complete civilian rule. Burhan dissolved the government and declared a state of emergency, citing stability concerns due to in-fighting between civilian politicians and military members. At least 39 have died and hundreds have been injured in the ensuing anti-coup protests.
The Sudanese military’s violent repression of pro-democracy protesters continues as security forces on Wednesday opened fire on demonstrators, killing at least 15 and injuring dozens in the capital city Khartoum. Reacting to the incident, US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee tweeted: “We condemn violence towards peaceful protesters and call for the respect and protection of human rights in Sudan.”
Meanwhile, in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, the year-long conflict between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government and the armed political faction Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has plunged once Africa’s fastest-growing economies into a state of humanitarian crisis. The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced around two million people.
Ahead of Blinken’s visit, Washington imposed additional sanctions on Eritrean (Ethiopia’s main ally) military and politicians.
On Wednesday, Abiy Ahmed called the West’s involvement in the Ethiopian conflict a “sophisticated narrative war” that uses “disinformation for their sinister pathway.”
Talking about the situation in Ethiopia upon his arrival in Kenya, Blinken said, “There needs to be accountability, and we are determined there will be.” He further called on the TPLF and the Oromo Liberation Army to halt their advance towards their capital and lay down their arms, saying, “We need to see humanitarian assistance flow freely now, we need to see people detained released, and we need to see everyone engaging in an effort to resolve the differences that exist peacefully and constitutionally.”
While speaking about the global “democratic recession” in front of a group of human rights activists in Nairobi, Blinken said that “even vibrant democracies like Kenya” are vulnerable to misinformation and political violence.
Blinken also announced significant bilateral agreements with Kenya after a meeting with Kenyan Cabinet Secretary of Foreign Affairs Raychelle Omamo.
Furthermore, Washington and Nairobi announced several strategic partnerships in trade, defence, governance, health and regional security. In a statement, Blinken said, “As we’re looking at the things that we’re trying to help advance around the world, we know we cannot do it without Africa, and that means we cannot do it without Kenya.”
Blinken will visit Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil exporter, on Thursday and will end his trip in Senegal on Friday.
Sudan, Ethiopia Crises at Top of Blinken’s Agenda During Africa Tour
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that if these conflicts get any further out of hand then they could threaten peace and stability across the Horn of Africa.
November 18, 2021
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken IMAGE SOURCE: REUTERS