(Credit: University of Pretoria twitter) Assistant U.S. Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee (center) began her three-African nation visit in Pretoria, South Africa at University of Pretoria Feb. 7, 2023. Phee met with Director-General Nkosinathi Sishi (left).
By Gary Raynaldo – DIPLOMATIC TIMES
WASHINGTON – Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee is traveling to Nigeria this week as Nigerians get ready to select their next president. On February 25, Nigerians will elect a new president in Africa’s most populous country to replace President Muhammadu Buhari, who has led the nation since 2015. The U.S. says it supports “free and fair elections” amid the history of violence in prior presidential voting. Ambassador Phee’s trip to Nigeria is part of a three-African state visit that includes South Africa and Ethiopia from February 5-19.
“In Lagos and Abuja, Assistant Secretary Phee will engage civil society, youth, the private sector, religious leaders, election officials, political party leaders, and government representatives. Her visit will underscore the U.S. commitment to supporting free and fair elections in February and March that are conducted peacefully.”
-U.S. State Department statement
Ambassador Phee began her African tour on Sunday with a visit to South Africa where she participated in the University Partnerships Initiative Summit at the Future Africa Campus of the University of Pretoria to show U.S. support for advancing higher education across the continent of Africa, according to the State Department. In addition, she will meet with South African leaders in politics, business, and civil society.
Director-General Nkosinathi Sishi (left) met with the United States Ambassador to South Africa, Ambassador Reuben Brigety, (right) Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee, US Department of State (United States of America) and the VC of UP Professor Tawana Kupe at University of Pretoria Feb. 7, 2022. (Credit: twitter@HigherEduGovZA)
Top American Diplomat To Africa To Engage Heads of State at AU Summit in ETHIOPIA
In Ethiopia, Assistant Secretary Phee will be joined by Ambassador Johnnie Carson, the Special Presidential Representative for U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Implementation, and other U.S. officials. Their travel will coincide with the African Union (AU) Summit and focus on follow up to U.S. commitments. They will meet with heads of state and ministers attending the summit. “This visit is an example of U.S. action to deepen and expand our partnership with African governments, businesses, and publics to meet the shared challenges and opportunities of our era,” the US State Department said. “The United States reaffirms the value of a strong African Union and welcomes the AU’s leadership on the global stage. We are proud of our dynamic partnership with the AU, its member states, and the peoples of Africa.”
