Biden’s Unfilled Vow to Visit Africa Renews Fears of Neglect

  • President pledged to African leaders last year he would visit
  • US competing with China, Russia for continent’s resources

Joe Biden delivers remarks at the U.S. - Africa Leaders Summit on December 14 in Washington, DC. 

Photographer: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
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President Joe Biden sought to showcase the US’s commitment to Africa as he hosted his Angolan counterpart, João Lourenço, a meeting that highlighted Biden’s unfulfilled pledge to visit the continent.

Biden has worked to revitalize US-Africa ties to counter growing Chinese and Russian influence. Yet Africa’s leaders still waiting for a presidential trip are concerned the continent is again taking a back seat to other geopolitical priorities.