President Joe Biden is set to visit Angola in the coming weeks, marking the first visit by a US president to sub-Saharan Africa since Barack Obama’s 2015 trip. Sources claim the visit will happen after the UN General Assembly meeting in September but before the November 5 presidential election. Biden had planned to visit the continent late last year, but the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war led to the postponement of his plans. Biden’s planned visit reflects his commitment to strengthening US-Africa relations amid China’s growing influence in the region. The trip will also highlight US support for infrastructure projects like the rail link between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola’s Lobito port. Although Biden has faced criticism for not visiting Africa earlier, his trip will come after visits by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Vice President Kamala Harris.
SOURCE: REUTERS