Today: 23 July 2025
8 August 2022
1 min read

Blinken kicks off Africa tour to counter Russian influence

Blinken and Pandor will “discuss ongoing and recent developments relating to the global geopolitical situation,” a South African government statement said…reports Asian Lite News

Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in South Africa on Sunday, kicking off a three-nation tour of Africa.

His visit comes as the West and Russia vie for support from African countries over the war in Ukraine.

South Africa has maintained a neutral stance on the war and has refrained from joining Western countries in publicly condemning Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.

What is on Blinken’s agenda?

On Sunday, Blinken visited the Hector Pieterson memorial in Soweto township, which commemorates the 170 school students killed during an anti-apartheid uprising in 1976.

The secretary of state is expected to hold talks with his South African counterpart, Naledi Pandor, on Monday, before outlining the United States’ strategies for sub-Saharan Africa in a major policy speech at the University of Pretoria.

Blinken and Pandor will “discuss ongoing and recent developments relating to the global geopolitical situation,” a South African government statement said.

Africa has been hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic as well as rising food and fuel prices triggered by Moscow’s war on Ukraine.

Blinken is also scheduled to visit Congo and Rwanda later in the week. It is his second trip to the continent since his appointment early last year and follows recent Africa tours by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and French President Emmanuel Macron.

ALSO READ-India among our closest partners, says Blinken

Previous Story

US warns Pacific islands of ‘struggle’ against coercive regimes

Next Story

Sharjah Chamber seeks stronger biz ties with India

Latest from -Top News

Victory First, Then Peace?

Katz stressed the importance of meeting the war’s goals as set, primarily the return of all Israeli hostages and the surrender of Hamas….reports Asian Lite News Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said

Fragile Peace in Sweida Gains Regional Support

Jordan, Syria, U.S. discuss Syria’s Sweida ceasefire in Amman as more Israeli Druze cross border to Syria to fuel tensions Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Syrian foreign affairs chief Asaad Al-Shaibani, and

The illusion of normalcy in Israel

As people are trying to heal from the scars of war and resume their everyday lives, for those of us living in Israel, normalcy feels like an illusion — fleeting, easily shattered

Sweida Ceasefire Kicks Off Amid Clashes

The initial phase includes separating rival armed groups, local factions inside Sweida, and tribal Arab forces, as part of broader efforts to restore stability…reports Asian Lite News Syrian interim authorities’ forces have
Go toTop

Don't Miss

‘Taliban takeover will turn Afghanistan into pariah’

US envoy reiterated that there is no military solution to

UAE, US Seek to Advance Trade & Investment Ties

Both sides also reinforced the importance of building mutual consensus