Vice President Kamala Harris will become the most senior official from the Joe Biden administration to travel to Africa when she stops by a trio of US-friendly countries later this month ahead of an upcoming visit by the president himself.
America’s first Black vice president is scheduled to travel to Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia from 25 March to 2 April to discuss “regional and global priorities”, including “our shared commitment to democracy, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, food security, and the effects of Russia’s unprovoked war in Ukraine”, according to a readout from her office.
She is expected to meet with the presidents of all three countries – Nana Akufo-Addo, Samia Suluhu Hassan and Hakainde Hichilema – the latter two whom she hosted at the White House shortly after their elections ushered in a spirit of democratic renewal.
Harris will skip the Democratic Republic of Congo, one of its key African partners, where elections are set to be held later this year.
The opposition has raised alarm over widespread manipulation of the vote in the registration exercise with opposition stronghold carefully marginalized while citizens are threatened.
Harris will still not visit the DRC but the USA is keeping a close eye on the elections with its leadership calling for an inclusive, free, fair and peaceful election.
