Nigeria is one of the four countries listed for a visit by the US Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken, this month.
Blinken’s African tour is scheduled to take place between January 21 and 26, 2024.
The Nation reports that, the visit is a part of the US’s high-level engagement with Africa, with the Secretary of State planning to travel to Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Angola during this diplomatic mission.
A statement by the US embassy in Abuja stated that discussion on security partnership will be part of the items to be brought to the table.
The statement reads in part: “Throughout the trip, the Secretary will highlight how the United States has accelerated the U.S.-Africa partnership since the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, including in areas such as climate, food, and health security.
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“He will also emphasize our future-focused economic partnership, and how the United States is investing in infrastructure in Africa to boost two-way trade, create jobs at home and on the continent, and help Africa compete in the global marketplace.
“Additionally, the Secretary will advance security partnerships based on shared values such as respect for human rights, promotion of democracy, and expansion of the rule of law.
“He will reaffirm U.S. commitment to our coastal West African partners through the Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability, U.S. partnership with the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, to address regional challenges, and U.S. efforts to support African leadership in de-escalating tensions and adopting diplomatic solutions to the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
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