United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived at South Africa’s Lanseria International Airport in Johannesburg on Sunday for a three-nation tour of Africa to strengthen relations in the continent.
Blinken is in the country to launch the U.S. Strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa and lead the U.S. delegation to the U.S.-South Africa Strategic Dialogue.
South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor is expected to engage Blinken in a strategic dialogue aimed at meaningfully enhancing partnership and cooperation between South Africa and the U.S.
Also on the agenda for deliberation are issues around climate change, health, trade and food insecurity.
Sunday’s visit is Blinken’s second official visit to Africa following trips to Nigeria, Senegal and Kenya in November 2021. U.S. President Joe Biden has sought to mend relations between Africa and the U.S. which had deteriorated under his predecessor, Donald Trump.
Blinken’s tour includes visits to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. His arrival in the DR Congo is expected to douse tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali, according to State Department officials.
DR Congo has previously accused Rwanda of funding a rebel movement in its eastern region, an accusation Rwanda has consistently denied.
Meanwhile, in Rwanda, Blinken is expected to bring up the detention of Paul Rusesabagina, a U.S. permanent resident, who saved hundreds of lives during the 1994 genocide and was later portrayed as a hero in the Oscar-nominated film Hotel Rwanda.
