Subsequent week, the Protection Division will take part within the White Home-led U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington.
Secretary of Protection Lloyd J. Austin III and his counterparts from the State Division and the U.S. Company for Worldwide Improvement may also co-host the related Peace, Safety and Governance Discussion board.
“The African Chief Summit comes at an important time for U.S.-African relations,” stated a senior protection official throughout a briefing in the present day. “The US has acknowledged the big potential and promise in Africa, and that is one thing that we undoubtedly wish to lean in on.”
To develop that potential, the official stated, the U.S. seeks to work with African companions to deal with probably the most urgent challenges on the continent, together with political instability, rebel teams, democratic backsliding, pandemics, environmental degradation and local weather change.
As a part of the three-day summit, Austin will co-host the Peace, Safety and Governance Discussion board alongside Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Samantha Energy, administrator of USAID.
“Collectively, the Division of Protection, State and USAID will share views on the significance of our ‘3D’ method to Africa and share the stage with our African companions to listen to their views on safety and the challenges of their nations,” stated the official.
The ‘3D’ method leans on protection, growth and diplomacy as a strategy to tackle the foundation causes of instability in Africa.
“This engagement will assist us refine our method to working with our African companions on the continent,” the official stated. “This discussion board may also be a chance to debate the nationwide protection technique priorities for Africa, reminiscent of countering [violent extremist organizations;] bolstering allies and companions; and strategic competitors.”
Additionally on the desk on the discussion board can be discussions in regards to the White Home’s technique for Sub-Saharan Africa, the place DOD hopes to work with African companions to develop African-led options and make the most of civilian-led protection instruments, reminiscent of institutional capability constructing, safety sector reform and constructing companion capability and capabilities, the official stated.
“Africa is necessary to the US, and our engagement and partnership is vital to the U.S.’s method in the direction of strategic competitors,” the official stated. “Whereas we don’t want to make our African companions select sides, the U.S. strives to be the companion of alternative by providing a relationship primarily based on mutual respect and values, by offering higher-quality services and products, and by working along with our companions on points which might be necessary to them.”
The U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit runs Dec. 13-15, 2022.