[ad_1]
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Friday touted her country’s ties to Africa in Dakar, saying it would offer more benefits than its rivals in Washington.
“The United States is totally behind Africa and totally with Africa,” Yellen said at the outset of her visit to Africa. On a continent that is an arena of fierce economic and political competition between great powers.
Joe Biden has pledged to make his first visit to sub-Saharan Africa as a president at a summit with about 50 African leaders in December. Yellen said the visit would take place this year alongside visits by Vice President Kamala Harris and several of his cabinet ministers.
“Our commitments are not negotiable, they are not pretense, they are not short-term,” Yellen told an audience of entrepreneurs.
Yellen promised Africa a “partnership” in development, investment and trade in the areas of climate, health and security. She said it was important to realize the “tremendous economic potential” represented by Africa with its young, growing population and growing middle class.
Ukraine, debt
She contrasted the US and Russian approaches. Many African countries have refused to go along with the Western position on Ukraine. After the Covid-19 pandemic, Russia’s war in Ukraine has “driven millions of Africans into poverty and hunger,” she said. criticized.
“The first thing we can do for the global economy is to end Russia’s illegal wars without provocation,” she said.
She also referred to China’s growing presence on the continent, particularly the excessive debt of many African countries to China.
“The international community, including China, must provide significant debt relief to help countries get back on their feet,” she said.
By contrast, U.S. commitments in Africa not only take into account debt risks, but also “high standards of accountability and transparency,” she said, adding that several It reflects the frequent accusations of social or environmental shortcomings against companies in the country.
She also noted the US’s “different approach” to the priorities given to good governance and environmental responsibility by African governments and institutions.
Ms Yellen was due to be received by Senegalese President Macky Sall on Friday night. She will be traveling to Zambia on Sunday and then to South Africa.
[ad_2]
Source link
