Dakar, March 31 (APS) – The United States of America wants to work with Senegal on issues of peace and security in the Sahel and in the African region, said the American ambassador to the African Union, Jessica Lapenn.
”We are sure of Senegal’s leadership and we must know how to use this opportunity for the African Union. We also expect to work with Senegal on issues of peace and security in the region, in the Sahel and beyond,” the diplomat said in an interview with journalists.
She hailed Senegal’s “strong and appropriate responses” on the “unconstitutional changes” of government.
“We see the leadership of Senegal which holds the rotating presidency of the African Union (…), which takes strong and appropriate responses on unconstitutional changes of government,” she said.
The diplomat says she is in Dakar to also discuss “current affairs” in Africa and “the political challenges” facing the continent in terms of governance, peace, security, climate and health.
“All these challenges challenge our partnership with the AU,” said Ms. Lapenn.
Regarding the Senegalese rotating presidency of the African Union, “we will focus on economic development in this particular context, investment, trade,” she said.
For her part, Akunna Cook, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs stressed that “democracy and the rule of law are also a priority” for the United States.
“And we intend to work with Senegal as well as other countries, in order to see how to find solutions to certain crises which affect democracy,” she declared.
US Ambassador to the African Union Jessica Lapenn and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Akunna Cook are visiting Senegal.
SKS / OID / AKS