AA/Alphonse LOGO
Assistant Secretary of State for the United States Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs, Molly Phee, said Wednesday that in hosting the US-Africa Leaders’ Summit, the US goal is to “reconfigure” the relations between the two continents “to be truly able to meet certain challenges that are very dear to the populations”.
She was co-hosting a digital press conference with Judd Devermont, the National Security Council’s Senior Director for African Affairs.
“I think the United States is a good partner for Africa. We are a world power. We can have strong voices to champion some of the themes we will be talking about at the summit. So we want to make sure that we align with the vision of Africans for their future and for their continent,” Molly argued in response to a question from Anadolu Agency.
She also said that she would like at the end of this summit “Africans to be able to feel that the United States’ partnership with Africa brings concrete changes in their daily lives in terms of health, security, food security and on the other hand, more investment and trade opportunities”.
“We also hope that there will be benefits for African workers who need adequate working conditions as is the case in the United States. In any case, I hope that Africans and Americans will come out of this summit with the impression that the dialogue has been deepened, particularly on subjects that truly make a daily difference, “added the Deputy Secretary of State of the Bureau. of African Affairs at the State Department.
– Important questions will be at the heart of the debates
This summit is scheduled for December 13 to 15 in the United States. It will focus on three key themes: democracy, governance and security.
“On the first day, we will listen to voices from civil society and young leaders around these themes. Then we will have a session chaired by representatives of the United States on governance, security and democracy. We will then talk about the aspirations of Africa”, detailed, for his part, Judd Devermont.
On African priorities, Devermont explained, a major speech by US President Joe Biden is expected.
“We expect that during these three days, with the interactions of the President and other Secretaries of State, these various subjects will be discussed thoroughly. We will talk with African leaders about what we can do together to deepen democracy on the continent, and respond to security challenges,” said Judd Devermont.
– The United States concerned about questions of democracy
Judd Devermont also explained that the United States is “concerned by the democratic decline in Africa”, with in particular coups d’etat in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso. Especially since, he explains, “the demand for democracy in Africa is much higher than in any other region. It is around 70%”.
“We recognize that if we want there to be a return to civilian transition, it’s going to take a lot more investment on our part. In partnership with ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States, editor’s note), the African Union, civil society and other institutions, we will discuss at the summit how we can go about do more and ensure that countries that have experienced coups find their way back to democracy,” said Judd.
According to him, the United States of America is available. They will do everything possible in this partnership, to “move towards a democratic transition in these countries” and all ideas and proposals will be welcome.
“We intend to work with all components of African society to ensure that democracy returns,” he concluded.
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