United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, is scheduled to visit Nigeria next week, focusing on the American government’s partnerships in food, climate, and security.
Nigeria is one of four countries on Mr. Blinken’s itinerary during his diplomatic mission from January 21 to 26, alongside Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, and Angola.
In a statement released by the U.S. Mission in Abuja on Thursday, Mr. Blinken’s visit aims to underscore the accelerated U.S.-Africa partnership since the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit.
The focus areas include climate, food, health, and security. The statement highlighted the emphasis on a future-focused economic partnership, U.S. investments in African infrastructure to boost trade and job creation, and support for Africa’s global competitiveness.
The Secretary of State is expected to advance security partnerships grounded in shared values such as human rights, democracy promotion, and the expansion of the rule of law.
The statement also mentioned Mr. Blinken’s commitment to coastal West African partners through the Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability, collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to address regional challenges, and US efforts to support African leadership in diplomatic resolutions for the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Notably, Mr. Blinken’s visit to Nigeria follows increased pressure from U.S. human rights organizations urging President Joe Biden to designate the country as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) due to the reported murder of hundreds of Christians in recent months. Twenty-four interest organizations, including religious groups, sent a letter to Mr. Blinken urging the U.S. to designate Nigeria as a CPC.