Significant progress, according to Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso, was made at this year’s U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington.
In an interview with VOA this week, Sassou Nguesso said that the summit’s goals were more clear and that one of them was to give the African Union a stronger voice at the UN.
For instance, President [Joe] Biden stated that the G-20 will undoubtedly include the African Union. This is a clear orientation that we value, in my opinion. Mr. Biden also stated that in the coming years, America would get involved in helping Africa [the African Union] regain its proper position at the United Nations Security Council as a permanent member.
The world’s leading industrial economies and emerging economies make up the G-20. South Africa is its sole African member at the moment.
Additionally, Biden stated that he aimed to strengthen ties between the US and Africa and that his administration would provide $55 billion in aid to African nations over the following three years.
“Our countries have historically collaborated closely to meaningfully enhance the lives of countless people in each of our nations on both sides of the Atlantic.” “Our eyes are firmly placed on the future with this summit and the African Union’s Agenda 2063,” stated Biden during the conference.
Sassou Nguesso said that was also a big change, especially since the discussion gave us a chance to talk about Africa’s top priorities.The head of the African Union, Macky Sall, and the other leaders stressed how important it is to move forward with Africa’s goals, such as those in digital, education, health, and energy.
According to the White House, $165 million of the funding would be utilized to improve democracy and effective government. Biden, meanwhile, has come under fire for inviting long-serving politicians. All leaders in good standing with the African Union and the United States, according to American authorities, received invitations.
Sassou Nguesso stated that “democracy and good administration are processes.” I frequently use the French Revolution as an example since it succeeded in 1789 despite all the issues with freedom, human rights, and democracy. Consider the possibility that, despite all the fights that had occurred at the time, women in France were not granted the right to vote until the Second World War. There are still [election] issues in several European countries today because of how the process has evolved. Even in the United States, we were shocked by what transpired [on January 6, 2021] at the Capitol.
“Africa has made significant progress,” he added. “However, what if the people’s desire was for the long-serving leaders to remain in office?” Elections are designed to elicit voter opinions. What if the populace chooses stability?
coups, hostilities
Recently, coups have occurred again in a few African nations, and in the case of Libya, a fight is still ongoing. According to Sassou Nguesso, progress is impossible without peace, security, and stability. And as he pointed out, what occurs in one nation could have an impact on the entire area.
We won’t be able to see relief for the Sahel region as long as we don’t solve the Libya problem. Therefore, the issue of terrorism and violent extremism in Africa, as well as the problem of general peace, is significant. “We are in the midst of setting up a forum for reconciliation in Libya, as I am the chair of the AU’s High-Level Committee on Libya,” he told VOA.
Since the 2011 NATO-backed rebellion that forced Moammar Gadhafi out of power, Libya has had little peace.
The president of the Congo said that he wanted to keep the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which was renewed for another 10 years in 2015.
U.S. authorities claim that since it went into effect in 2000, AGOA has been a focal point of U.S. economic policy and commercial engagement with Africa. It gives qualifying countries in sub-Saharan Africa duty-free access to the American market for about 2,000 goods.
During the summit, top trade officials from sub-Saharan Africa and the Biden-Harris administration talked about the need to reform and strengthen the way AGOA is put into place so that Africans can take advantage of the chance.
In and out of power for more than three decades, Sassou Nguesso When asked if he will run in the upcoming elections, he responded that those who are in office while considering running for office are neglecting their fundamental duties. He claimed to not be one of them and that his focus was on carrying out the initiatives for which he had been elected.
