Africa: Digital Press Briefing With Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Molly Phee

MODERATOR: Good afternoon from the State Division’s Brussels Media Hub. I want to welcome everybody becoming a member of us for right this moment’s digital press briefing. We’re very honored to be joined by the Assistant Secretary within the Bureau of African Affairs, Molly Phee.

A fast reminder that right this moment’s briefing is on the file. And with that, why do not we go forward and get began. Assistant Secretary Phee, thanks a lot for becoming a member of us right this moment. I will flip it over to you for opening remarks.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY PHEE: Thanks, John, for serving to set up this chance to talk with mates and colleagues throughout the continent. Thanks all for taking the time to talk with me right this moment. I am trying ahead to updating you on U.S. coverage with Africa, and I might like to start out by speaking about Secretary Blinken’s current journey to the continent. You noticed that we traveled to 4 international locations: Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Angola. It was an amazing alternative to see the impression of U.S. applications and actions, and to hearken to our companions about their ambitions and considerations and the way we will associate collectively to satisfy the challenges on the continent and globally.

We – the Secretary, when he was in Lagos, he stated one thing that I believe is necessary that I need to spotlight. He stated how up to now the US was working to ship for Africans, and now we’re how we will associate to do actions with Africans. So it is a shift from helping, though we nonetheless proceed to supply help, however to genuinely partnering on how we will work collectively to deal with challenges, once more, on the continent and globally.

So a number of the dialog he had was to speak in regards to the dedication of President Biden and Secretary Blinken to elevating African voices within the worldwide structure. I believe you understand that President Biden is a powerful advocate for a everlasting African seat on the Safety Council. The USA was an enormous advocate for the African Union becoming a member of the G20, and our Secretary of the Treasury, Janet Yellen, is working onerous to make sure that the worldwide monetary establishments higher mirror the voices of the twenty first century and embrace Africans in management roles.

We additionally took the chance to examine in on our – if you’ll, our report card following the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in December 2022. We had an enormous 12 months final 12 months, as you noticed, with many visits to the continent. And certainly, whereas we have been touring, we had adopted Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield, who had traveled to Liberia for the inauguration there; Scott Nathan, the chairman of the Improvement Finance Company, had led the U.S. delegation to the inauguration within the Democratic Republic of Congo; and I anticipate to see extra leaders touring to the continent quickly, together with members of Congress.

So it was an amazing alternative to examine in with good companions and to speak about how we will proceed to deal with, once more, the shared challenges, whether or not they be meals safety, well being safety, bodily safety, and the way Africans can be a part of different leaders on the planet in these international conversations.

So let me cease there and switch it over to you, John, for questions.

MODERATOR: Thanks a lot, Assistant Secretary. We do have a few fingers raised, so why do not we go forward and begin with Pearl Matibe from Premium Instances. Pearl, please go forward.

QUESTION: Good morning, Madam Secretary. I actually admire the time that you’ve taken right this moment and the feedback that you simply prefaced. I might prefer to hop on one factor that you simply did point out, that you are looking ahead to members of Congress additionally going onto the continent. Might you remark, please? Just some days in the past, Rating Member Senator Risch made some direct feedback about Secretary Blinken’s go to to Africa. You’ll have seen these feedback. What he was critiquing, if you’ll, is he was calling that enjoyable diplomacy, that there hasn’t been, in his view, a missed – that it was extra a missed alternative, and that possibly there ought to have been a deeper, completely different take within the strategy with this explicit journey. Now, as a result of he is additionally on this oversight committee for Senate International Relations, I’m wondering when you would possibly touch upon that. I do know often you guys do go in entrance of the committee. How would you remark? And do – would – do you anticipate he can be making a visit, for instance, to the continent? However thanks a lot. I actually admire what you shared already on the high. Thanks.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY PHEE: Certain. Nicely, I might like to speak about what Secretary Blinken mentioned with companions in Africa. We mentioned African priorities, for instance, in infrastructure. In Cabo Verde, we had the chance to have a look at the optimistic impression the Millenium Problem Company had reached by way of, for instance, the event of the Port of Praia, which is actually the gateway to Africa from the US for commerce. In Angola, we had the chance to debate the numerous infrastructure the US is endeavor linking Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Angola by way of the Lobito Port, serving to open up an export market and likewise department actions – so, for instance, bringing to life inexperienced power by way of photo voltaic power and likewise serving to with agricultural growth alongside that line.

So we have been in a position to spotlight the financial instrument – devices the US has to help African ambitions to develop their economies: the Improvement Finance Company, the Millenium Problem Firms, and, for instance, the U.S. Export-Import Financial institution. So these are essential actions for the individuals of Africa, and it’s totally critical by way of penalties for jobs and, once more, financial growth.

We additionally had the chance to deal with a major American funding in well being. So, for instance, in Lagos, we have been in a position to go to an necessary science and analysis medical heart which has benefited from PEPFAR for a few years and likewise was now ready due to the PEPFAR funding to assist Nigeria cope with a pandemic resembling COVID. In order that was, I believe, a critical and necessary effort. We additionally had the chance to speak in Lagos with people who’re targeted on creating Africa’s digital participation within the digital economic system. And we’re trying to see if we will associate on infrastructure, on human capital growth – ensuring girls and youth, for instance, have entry to the digital economic system – in addition to speaking about how we will work collectively in setting international norms for the accountable use of things like AI.

We had enjoyable. We went to the World – the Cup of Nations, as you understand, was being held the week we have been there. The Secretary was in a position to attend a match in Abidjan, and he was in a position to discuss to African companions in regards to the matches, as a result of everybody was targeted on it. And if you concentrate on it, soccer is a bit bit like life: generally you win, generally you lose. So in partnering with individuals, you need to work collectively to deal with tough occasions, however you additionally need to rejoice optimistic occasions.

Thanks.

MODERATOR: Thanks, Assistant Secretary. We even have one call-in coming from a quantity ending in 586 – or 5687. Caller, please go forward and determine your self and your outlet. Let’s strive that once more. They appear to be – caller, are you able to hear us? Does not appear to be working. So why do not we go forward and go to a submitted query. The primary one from Pablo Moraga from the Spanish information company EFE primarily based in Kenya. Pablo asks: “Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso – three military-led West African nations – have introduced their quick withdrawal from the regional bloc ECOWAS, accusing the physique of changing into a menace to its members. What does the U.S. make of this transfer?”

ASSISTANT SECRETARY PHEE: Nicely, thanks for that query. We’re intently monitoring developments within the Sahel and in Coastal West Africa. And we consider it is necessary for everybody to deal with dialogue and cooperation. We all know that all the peoples of the ECOWAS area are involved about safety, they’re involved about governance, they’re involved about financial growth, and we might hope that they might work collectively to search out widespread floor and to search for shared methods to help one another in managing these challenges.

I believe you understand that we now have lengthy supported African-led options to issues. We consider that given the truth that among the Sahel states are landlocked, it is necessary for them to have good hyperlinks with their companions in Coastal West Africa. So we’re encouraging dialogue and cooperation.

MODERATOR: Thanks, ma’am. We’ll go to a different caller – Nick Turse. Nick, please, your microphone is on when you have a query.

QUESTION: Sure. Thanks for taking the time to speak right this moment, Secretary Phee. After we spoke earlier than the journey, you expressed certainty that Secretary Blinken would focus on the topic of civilian hurt with Nigeria’s president and international minister. Are you able to discuss in regards to the nature of their dialogue, and what repercussions for Nigeria can be – that’s, what motion State will take if Nigeria’s navy continues to hurt civilians?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY PHEE: After all, as we at all times do once we meet with our Nigerian companions, we discuss the best way to reduce hurt to civilians when endeavor sophisticated operations in opposition to the terrorist menace that Nigeria experiences – additionally the menace from Boko Haram and from bandits. The Secretary additionally had the chance to satisfy with civilian leaders to speak about their engagement to advertise the rights and alternatives for various civilian teams. So it is a matter that is still an ongoing part of our dialog with Nigeria, and we search for methods in our – each our insurance policies and our applications to help Nigeria’s want to be sure that the nation is secure and safe for all of its residents.

QUESTION: And repercussions?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY PHEE: I am not going to get into hypotheticals, Nick.

QUESTION: Thanks.

MODERATOR: Thanks, Assistant Secretary. We’ll go to the following query, from Halima. Halima G., please, go forward, and will you determine your outlet as properly please? Thanks.

QUESTION: Hey. Sure. Halima Gikandi from The World radio program. Thanks, Secretary Phee. I need to ask a query on Sudan. The U.S. is being criticized for not placing sufficient diplomatic assets and weight into ending the battle in Sudan. Are you able to please summarize what the U.S. is doing proper now and reply whether or not a U.S. particular envoy to Sudan can be appointed, as has been requested by members of Congress? Thanks.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY PHEE: Nicely, I definitely perceive that everybody is annoyed by the horrible scenario in Sudan, the struggling of the individuals of Sudan, the irresponsible conduct of safety leaders and their reckless disregard for civilian life and infrastructure. So the US, like African companions, Arab companions, and different worldwide companions, stays intensely involved and engaged in a number of methods to try to promote a ceasefire and a switch to civilian rule. We have now a number of senior diplomats which might be targeted on the completely different features of the issue, and as I’ve talked about earlier than after I’ve testified earlier than Congress, the administration believes that including an envoy to the constellation of efforts already underway could be useful, however I haven’t got any bulletins for you on that at the moment.

MODERATOR: Thanks for that. We have now truly another caller elevating their hand – Nafisa Eltahir. Nafisa, please go forward and determine your outlet. Thanks.

QUESTION: Hello. I am with Reuters. I additionally even have a query on Sudan, simply asking form of at this level what – what does the U.S. suppose the prospects are for a ceasefire, for a attainable settlement between the 2 sides? We have had official talks no less than paused for greater than a month, so are you able to give us any sense of the place you suppose issues are headed? Thanks.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY PHEE: Nicely, I can let you know that we’ll not hand over our effort to advertise a ceasefire, and I consider that there, once more, are many Sudanese – Africans, Arabs – and different companions within the worldwide group who share that conviction. There are a number of tracks and a number of efforts to try to persuade the leaders, mainly of SAF and RSF, to surrender their damaging and reckless path. And we’ll proceed to work on that as we go ahead.

John, I would like it when you might attain out to African journalists. It is good to speak to worldwide retailers, however my objective for this session was to speak to African journalists on the continent who would possibly in any other case not have entry to the State Division. So can we do – can we shift our focus?

MODERATOR: Certain. I am – so they do not determine their retailers once they dial in, so I am unsure who they’re, however I can definitely strive. I’ll go to a submitted query, although, from a journalist on the continent. Hamid Mecheri from Algeria talks in regards to the go to of Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to the Republic of Sudan, and he asks: “Is there a means that Algeria can take part within the decision of the battle in Sudan?”

ASSISTANT SECRETARY PHEE: Nicely, as I’ve stated earlier than, I believe most international locations on the continent, within the area, and internationally are devastated by what’s underway in Sudan and need to see an finish as shortly as attainable. So we welcome all contributions to that stress marketing campaign.

MODERATOR: Thanks. And the following one was from Tinashe Mpasari – Mpasiri from Ini Africa Media in South Africa. They ask: “To confront the frontiers of triple challenges of poverty, unemployment, and inequality on the African continent, it’s not a straightforward job given the absence of shared understanding of what wealth is and what it’s not. That stated, do you agree that the other of poverty is just not wealth however the rule of legislation? If that’s the case, how do you suppose the rule of legislation could be asserted throughout the continent and speed up restoration of constitutionalism to safe an Africa that’s various, inclusive, progressive, and affluent?” An enormous query there.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY PHEE: Nicely, thanks for that query. It’s my view that one of many biggest strengths of the US of America has been our dedication to rule of legislation, and essentially rule of legislation signifies that each single particular person ought to be handled equally earlier than the legislation and subsequently have equal alternative. Rule of legislation permits everybody, no matter their background, to maneuver ahead. And it additionally signifies that corruption is just not acceptable. So I positively agree that rule of legislation is a cornerstone for financial growth, for human prosperity, and for alternative.

MODERATOR: Nice, thanks. We’ll return to a name once more. I can not ensure that these should not worldwide retailers, however we do have various fingers raised. Mouctar Balde, might you – you could have the mike. Might you please determine your outlet?

QUESTION: Sure, good morning. Yeah, my title is Mouctar Balde from Guinéenews. And my query is: What’s the Biden administration is doing to carry the regime of Basic Mamady Doumbouya within the Republic of Guinea accountable for the shortage of respect of freedom of speech? And I do not know – in Guinea truly it has been virtually two to a few months there isn’t any entry to web and their radio stations have been jammed, and the regime in place is arresting and exiling politicians within the opposition.

And in addition, as you understand, out of the migrants coming to the US, there may be a number of younger Guinean who’re determined to go away the nation due to the navy regime in Guinea. And it appears that evidently the American Authorities, and along with the French and European Union international locations, it is like they’re turning – they’re having a clean eye on – and giving – it is like they’re giving him a inexperienced mild simply to go over. In the meantime, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali have been criticized for it. And I – I am searching for what the Biden administration is doing simply to carry him accountable.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY PHEE: Nicely, thanks for elevating the considerations about governance in ECOWAS member states. Truly, Mouctar, please examine the information. This very week, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Africa Michael Heath is definitely in Conakry, assembly not solely with authorities leaders however with civil society leaders, opposition leaders, and others to really promote Guinea’s transition in direction of democracy. So we do consider that it is necessary to interact, to speak about – as we now have simply been previewing right here on this dialog – how the rule of legislation, equality, alternative, stability, and whatnot can contribute to the event of African states. So it’s one thing – a problem we stay involved about. That’s the reason Michael Heath there this very week to have these conversations and to press ahead.

We acknowledge the challenges that the states within the Sahel and in coastal West Africa are dealing with from terrorists. We perceive the financial challenges which have resulted, for instance, from local weather change, from the impression of the COVID pandemic, from the impression of the battle that Russia is waging in opposition to Ukraine, as a result of it is leading to a rise in costs in gasoline, in fertilizer, and likewise commodities. And all these stressors make it tough for peoples and governments to progress. We consider {that a} democratic system is one of the best ways ahead, providing most alternative and unlocking peace and prosperity for all. And that can proceed to be the coverage that we advocate.

MODERATOR: Thanks, Assistant Secretary. Going to a different raised hand – Rageh Omaar. Rageh, might you please determine your outlet?

QUESTION: Hey, are you able to hear me? Sure, my title is Rageh Omaar. I am from ITV Information right here in the UK. Thanks very a lot certainly for the chance to ask the Assistant Secretary of State a query. I got here to this a bit late, so apologies if somebody’s requested it already. However I might prefer to ask your response to the bulletins between Ethiopia and the self-declared authorities of Somaliland to signal a memorandum of understanding whereby if Ethiopia would lease a naval base on the Pink Sea near the port of Berbera for 50 years in return for the formal recognition of Somaliland as an impartial state. I do know the State Division has stated that you simply acknowledge and reaffirm the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Somalia, however that might be a legalistic level, as a result of Somalia and Somaliland obtained full recognition and independence, individually, for six days.