Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations (Credit: UN Photo Evan Schneider)
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMTIC TIMES
UNITED NATIONS – NEW YORK – The U.S. Biden administration “is committed to being a partner to Africa” as the continent faces multiple security threats and challenges amid the COVID pandemic. The U.S. Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, told reporters Tuesday at a press briefing ahead of a UN Security Council briefing on Wednesday that will focus on preventing conflict and supporting post-pandemic recovery in Africa. She noted that the past Trump administration “neglected” partnerships with Africa. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield, an African American, knows the Africa well, having served in Liberia and Kenya and Rwanda and Nigeria and the Gambia, “and virtually every other corner of the continent.” The American ambassador said there are unique challenges facing countries across the African continent. She acknowledged that the “discovery period” will be long and challenging, and there will be threats to Africa moving forward as the Security Council looks at its trajectory.
“But we’re committed to being a partner to Africa as you confront these threats and these challenges, and we believe that the best and the strongest partnerships are built on a foundation of trust and transparency and accountability and areas of mutual opportunity.”
-U.S. Ambassador to United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield
Biden Administration Engaged With Ethiopia To Resolve Conflict: U.S. Ambassador says
The American ambassador said the U.S. Biden administration has been engaged with Ethiopia “from day one” to help resolve its crisis. She said the U.S. has raised its “grave concern” over human rights violations in the Tigray region. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield noted that U.S. Special Envoy Jeffrey Feltman just completed his first visit to the region as U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, traveling to Egypt, Eritrea, Sudan, and Ethiopia from May 4 to 13. “The past five months, we have been actively engaged on this situation (in Eritrea).” However, the American ambassador said the situation in Ethiopia is not on the UN Security Council’s agenda during Wednesday’s meeting on Africa.
Africa Sahel Region Continues to be plagued by deadly terror attacks
Meanwhile, countries of the Sahel region have seen an escalation of attacks by armed extremist groups in recent years, striking frequently at security forces and civilians going about their daily lives. A single attack by gunmen on 2 January left more than 100 people dead in a village in western Niger. On 21 April, President Idriss Déby Itno of Chad, was killed after sustaining injuries in clashes with rebel groups.
Regional troops deployed through the G-5 Sahel Joint Force, as well as personnel with the UN Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the French-led Operation Barkhane, are struggling to stem the violence.
