United States Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (Credit: uscongress)

By  Gary  Raynaldo     DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

Congressman Gregory Meeks (NY), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced legislation Tuesday  requiring the State Department to hold a U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit (ALS) every four years. Nearly fifty African heads of state gathered in December 2022 Washington for the most recent U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit. It was the first U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit since the inaugural summit was hosted in 2014 by former President Barack Obama.  Building on the “momentum” of previous summits, the bill seeks to ensure “ongoing and structured engagements” that bolster economic, political, and social collaborations between the United States and African nations. 

“This legislation marks a pivotal step in making U.S.-Africa cooperation a sustainable and impactful pillar of U.S. foreign policy. Following the significant advances from the summits initiated by President Obama in 2014 and continued under President Biden in 2022, this bill institutionalizes the ALS so that future administrations are able to leverage these summits to strengthen America’s relationship with African countries.”

-Rep. Gregory W. Meeks statement 

Biden Administration Pledged To Invest $55 Billion in AFRICA

U.S. President Joe Biden stands in the center front row in a group photo during the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, December 15, 2022. (Ben Solomon/U.S. Department of State)

At the 2022 Summit, the U.S. announced it will pledge $55 billion to Africa over the next three years that includes funds for economic, health and security support. 

“The Biden-Harris Administration has overseen the signing of 75 successful deals since the 2022 summit and has put us on track to meet our commitment of providing $55 billion in assistance by 2025. Our actions should continue to reflect a meaningful commitment to our African partners. This bill is about more than regular dialogue; it’s about meaningful action that forms mutual prosperity.”

-Rep. Gregory W. Meeks

The legislation also urges the Secretary of State to hold city summits focused on subregional cooperation and establish an implementation office at the State Department to ensure that “our collaborative efforts with the Continent translate into tangible outcomes that benefit Americans and Africans,” Meeks added.