Blinken to Africa to boost US response to regional crises

By MATTHEW LEE
AP Diplomatic Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration’s competition with China for influence hasn’t gotten off to a great start in Africa. In August, the top U.S. diplomat planned a visit but postponed it because of turmoil in Afghanistan. Now, as two significant African crises worsen, Secretary of State Antony Blinken will try again this week to signal the administration’s “America is back” message to the continent. Blinken wants to boost thus-far unsuccessful U.S. diplomatic efforts to resolve deepening conflicts in Ethiopia and Sudan and counter growing insurgencies elsewhere. The top U.S. diplomat for Africa, Molly Phee, met on Tuesday with Sudanese coup leader Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan and with deposed civilian Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok.