Biden promised to visit Africa in December 2022. He was talking with 49 African leaders who had
gathered in Washington DC at the US-Africa Leaders Summit.
He then made solemn promises to his counterparts that the US would work to see that African countries
get permanent seats at the UN Security Council, a goal that the African Union has pursued for 20 years.
Two years later, only a seat at the G20 was obtained. But the UNSC seats promise is far from being
materialised.
Now, less than two months before he leaves the White House, his first visit to Africa sounds undoubtedly
critical. The initial objective was to counter the growing influence of China and Russia across the
continent. Is it still possible?
China and Russia have advanced their agendas. Over the past decade, China has solidified its position as
Africa’s largest trading partner and controls most of the critical mining sites in SADC, while Russia has
strengthened military and political alliances, especially in Sahel countries, and other Central Africa
nations.
However, a visit by Biden is still a signal that Africa remains central to U.S. foreign policy, especially in
light of the future host of the White House, Donald Trump with his MAGA policy.
But, make no mistake, Biden’s priority is to construct and revive the Lobito corridor which will connect
the SADC region, rich in critical minerals, to the Atlantic Ocean. A MOU was signed in December 2022
by both DRC, Zambia and the USA to develop the Electrical Vehicle value chain.Question: China controls 90% of the lithium, cobalt, and other minerals in SADC. Will China just walk out of those countries heavily indebted to them? How will DRC and Zambia take back control of the mining sites sold or given as collaterals to Chinese money?
The Lobito corridor is just the beginning of a global supply chain to the West but the critical mines
property handover between the USA and China may turn into a titan battle in the jungle.
Will Biden go beyond rhetoric and deliver concrete actions that address Africa’s priorities instead of a
West vs East competition? Time is tight, and the U.S. must act decisively if it wants to restore its glory
currently damaged by its poor or lack of action during all recent political and health crises.
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