U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs
08/11/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/11/2022 07:34
Chair Meeks Issues Statement on the Release of the Biden Administration’s U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa
Washington, DC- Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory W. Meeks issued the following statement on the release of the Biden Administration's U.S. Strategy toward Sub-Saharan Africa:
"I commend the Biden Administration on the release of a comprehensive U.S. Strategy toward Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting its commitment to reframe our engagement with and policy toward Africa. As the world's fastest-growing population and largest regional trade bloc, Africa should be one of our top foreign policy priorities. It is refreshing to see a clear and candid acknowledgment of the opportunities that have emerged and the gaps that remain.
"This strategy underscores a key point: as crises around the world threaten lives and livelihoods, the United States, in coordination with allies and partners, must increase efforts to address policy imperatives with our African partners. Across the continent, governments and civil societies look to the United States as the partner of choice to help face growing challenges, including: addressing the growing climate emergency that has left many vulnerable to extreme environmental shocks; ensuring the international community's push for a global transition to clean energy is just and inclusive of underrepresented African partners; and countering the malign activities and influences of foreign adversaries like Russia and China, both of which are pursuing their interests on the continent at the expense of Africa's people.
"Equally important is this Administration's emphasis on deepening economic trade and investment with Africa, as well as promoting food security, regional security, democracy, and better public health outcomes. It also highlights the critical role of the African Diaspora in making progress on these issues and more across the continent. For this strategy to be successful, this Administration needs to retain and recruit more human capital in Washington and in Africa. There is no shortage of work to do, but as Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I am committed to ensuring the Committee does its part in seeing the core tenets of this strategy succeed."
"I commend the Biden Administration on the release of a comprehensive U.S. Strategy toward Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting its commitment to reframe our engagement with and policy toward Africa. As the world's fastest-growing population and largest regional trade bloc, Africa should be one of our top foreign policy priorities. It is refreshing to see a clear and candid acknowledgment of the opportunities that have emerged and the gaps that remain.
"This strategy underscores a key point: as crises around the world threaten lives and livelihoods, the United States, in coordination with allies and partners, must increase efforts to address policy imperatives with our African partners. Across the continent, governments and civil societies look to the United States as the partner of choice to help face growing challenges, including: addressing the growing climate emergency that has left many vulnerable to extreme environmental shocks; ensuring the international community's push for a global transition to clean energy is just and inclusive of underrepresented African partners; and countering the malign activities and influences of foreign adversaries like Russia and China, both of which are pursuing their interests on the continent at the expense of Africa's people.
"Equally important is this Administration's emphasis on deepening economic trade and investment with Africa, as well as promoting food security, regional security, democracy, and better public health outcomes. It also highlights the critical role of the African Diaspora in making progress on these issues and more across the continent. For this strategy to be successful, this Administration needs to retain and recruit more human capital in Washington and in Africa. There is no shortage of work to do, but as Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I am committed to ensuring the Committee does its part in seeing the core tenets of this strategy succeed."