Workplace of the Spokesperson — MR TEK: Thanks and good morning, everybody. Welcome to right now’s background name on Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s journey to Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Angola. This name can be on the report and is embargoed till its conclusion.
Becoming a member of on this – becoming a member of us this morning is Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee. She’ll present some transient opening remarks, after which we’ll flip it over to your questions. And so, with that, let’s flip it over to Assistant Secretary Phee to begin us off.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY PHEE: Thanks, Nathan. And good morning, all people. Thanks for spending a while with us right now. So, we’re actually enthusiastic about this journey. It’s partly a follow-up to the very profitable U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit that we held in December 2022. The Secretary needs to go to the continent and display and assess the follow-up that the US has undertaken to implement the commitments and subjects we mentioned through the summit.
So, we’ll be points like our financial partnership, how are we selling the event of economic ties. We’ll be our longstanding well being partnership. We’re areas that actually excite the Secretary significantly in meals safety. We’ll be, in fact, type of furbishing our diplomatic fixed engagement on so many points, not solely on the continent however within the world dialog. So, there’s rather a lot to do to indicate the place we’re, what we’ve accomplished, and the place we’re going.
We expect this journey will hopefully be very optimistic. A whole lot of instances the information out of Africa is detrimental. I believe it may well spotlight the nice capability of the African individuals, significantly the youth. It could possibly present actually forward-looking sorts of engagements – for instance, our partnership with Angola in outer area. And I believe it’s going to display the advances that Africans have made that can contribute to the continued progress on the continent.
We are able to by no means get away, although, from peace and safety points. So, once we’re in Cote d’Ivoire, we’ll discuss in regards to the scenario within the Sahel and coastal West Africa. As a lot of , Nigeria is coping with lots of inside safety challenges. And Angola has performed a extremely vital function in making an attempt to handle and scale back the tensions within the japanese Congo. So these may even be subjects I anticipate we’ll focus on.
So, he’s actually excited; we’re actually excited; it needs to be actually enjoyable. In Cote d’Ivoire, they’re internet hosting now the Africa Cup of Nations. So, the entire continent is targeted on that. There are about 24 nations enjoying soccer – or soccer, as they name it – in Cote d’Ivoire, so there’s lots of power, so I believe it is going to be a extremely enjoyable cease.
So over to you, to Nathan, for questions.
MR TEK: Nice. Thanks a lot. AT&T moderator, would you simply thoughts please repeating the directions for becoming a member of the query queue?
OPERATOR: Positive. To put your self within the queue, please press 1 then 0, at the moment.
MR TEK: Nice. And may we please go to the road of Will Mauldin from The Wall Road Journal?
OPERATOR: Mr. Mauldin, your line is open.
QUESTION: Thanks a lot for doing this. I wished to observe up on the safety scenario, if I could. I bear in mind when the Secretary was final on this a part of Africa, I consider visiting Niger and President Bazoum. It was not far earlier than the coup when he was ousted. So, I’m questioning if stopping coups or strengthening any of the leaders on this area goes to be part of the agenda. And in addition, wished to get a normal safety scenario check-up on is the U.S. – given all of the challenges within the Sahel area general, is the U.S. focusing a bit extra on the west coast and people nations as sort of a bulwark at a time when Wagner and militants and different safety forces are lively within the area? Thanks.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY PHEE: Positive. Nicely, now we have lengthy been involved about coastal West Africa in addition to Nigeria, as a result of if the terrorist risk within the Sahel had been to disrupt life in these nations, it might be actually problematic for an enormous portion of Africa. So we – you could be aware of the World Fragility Act, which was adopted just a few years in the past and is designed to attract on the teachings we’ve discovered since 9/11, that are, in brief, that we’re actually good at safety help and we’re actually good at going after terrorists, however for those who neglect governance, financial improvement, elements like local weather change, you possibly can’t actually get at a sturdy answer.
So, we’re already invested in a joint challenge in 5 coastal states in West Africa, coastal West Africa – these embrace Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea-Conakry, Benin, and Togo. In order that, I think about, will definitely be a subject of debate once we see the Ivorians. And naturally, we’ve had a longstanding safety partnership with Nigeria, which has been battered, as , by ISIS-WA, by Boko Haram, and by inside, what they name bandits.
So, undoubtedly serving to ensure that these nations are type of shifting out on all fronts to strengthen their societies, to stop type of the growth of the terrorist risk we see within the Sahel. That can be part of the dialogue. And that features doing issues the best way that we’ve discovered to do them, proper – to emphasise the safety of civilians if you’re enterprise navy operations and to advertise human rights and group improvement, significantly in marginalized populations.
MR TEK: Thanks a lot. Can we please go the road of Shaun Tandon from the AFP?
QUESTION: Hey there. Thanks, Molly. Can I observe up a bit of bit on Will’s query? While you ask – if you discuss Niger, is there any hope for it? I imply, do you assume that’s going to introduced up within the discussions, significantly in Cote d’Ivoire? The coup-imposed – the junta-imposed authorities, that they had a delegation in Moscow this week – how involved are you about that?
After which if I might additionally ask particularly about DRC. The assembly is in Angola, and of the course the Secretary simply met Kagame in Davos. How optimistic are you now in DRC and the east? Do you assume that there could possibly be some lasting – extra stability there? Thanks.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY PHEE: Positive. Nicely, my job title requires me to be optimistic. So, we’re all the time making an attempt to drive in direction of higher outcomes. In Niger, I believe there’s a transparent alternative for the junta. And I made that case after I was there in early December, following what I believe was a really profitable ECOWAS summit assembly on reset relations between ECOWAS and Niger. We have now a confirmed monitor report of serving to them and their companions within the area get after the terrorist risk. And we even have – occur to have a really sturdy financial report with vital Millennium Problem Company accounts which were contributing meaningfully to the event of Niger.
And there was lots of dialogue about reaching a timeline, a reputable, swift timeline for elections. The Nigeriens have their very own historical past of quite swiftly handing energy again to civilians. And naturally, the discharge of President Bazoum – and also you noticed earlier this month, the junta launched his son, who had been unjustly detained.
So we don’t have any objection with nations diversifying partnerships. You heard the Secretary discuss that. Clearly, in the event that they selected to have a partnership with nations like Russia, that will be very difficult. I believe if they only look west to Mali and see the rise in civilian casualties and the rise in safety assaults for the reason that junta authorities in Mali invited within the Wagner Group, and kicked out the French – that isn’t a mannequin that I might need to observe or I believe most individuals would need to observe, for those who had been governing a rustic.
So, I had good discussions in December. Let’s see the place issues find yourself. I believe, once more, now we have a demonstrated monitor report there that they’re nicely conscious of. And we hope they make the fitting choice.
And you then requested me about Angola and Angola’s function within the japanese DRC. So, I believe you all will recall that in November, shortly earlier than Thanksgiving, I and Judd Devermont traveled with Avril Haines and her top-notch advisor Chris Ringenbach to each Kinshasa and Kigali as a result of we had been involved in regards to the spike in tensions between the Rwandans and the Congolese, in addition to the function of neighboring nations. We had been in a position to institute a means of weekly check-ins that we undertook via the tip of calendar 12 months 2023.
One in all our objectives was to ensure that the withdrawal of the East African Neighborhood Regional troop presence was not overly disruptive, and to make sure that the DRC was in a position to maintain its elections on the finish of December with minimal disruption. These elections had been massive and messy as you noticed, however there was no main violence, which we had been involved about. So, we wish to see and assist the regional processes which were underway for about two years now, a bit of bit over two years. One known as the Luanda Course of, which is led by the Angolans, and that’s one thing the Secretary will need to discuss to the president and the international minister about. And the separate monitor is the Nairobi Course of.
So, this can be a three-year struggle. It’s very tough, however the events have been very attentive to our engagement. They’re very engaged with their neighbors in Southern Africa and the South African improvement cooperation area in addition to, as I discussed, within the EAC. So we’re going to hopefully assist consolidate a number of the intense discussions we’ve had over the previous six weeks or so, and see if we may help the Africans set issues heading in the right direction.
MR TEK: Thanks. Can we please go the road of Daphne Psaledakis from Reuters?
QUESTION: Hello. Thanks a lot for doing this. I simply wished to observe up a bit of bit on Shaun’s query on Niger. May you give a way of how a lot this can be a spotlight of Secretary Blinken’s conversations on the journey? And – or sorry – on the journey and what his message can be when he’s talking to those nations? Thanks.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY PHEE: Positive. So, Daphne, you guys are bumming me out since you’re not speaking about any of the actually enjoyable and optimistic, forward-looking issues we’ll be doing. So, there’s lots of that in Cote d’Ivoire, however – yeah, so in fact the Ivorians are fairly nervous given their border with Burkina Faso, and there’s lots of terrorist exercise within the tri-border space between Burkina, Niger, and Mali, which now we have been very useful in addressing. So, I’m sure it is going to be a subject of dialog, however we additionally need to encourage the optimistic steps the president has taken to develop and deepen democratization in Cote d’Ivoire and the way they’re utilizing their sources we’ve supplied them beneath the GFA.
And simply to notice, you guys, we’ve named it this horrible, clunky title of technique to advertise stability and stop battle – no, I mentioned it backwards – to – Technique to Stop Battle and Promote Stability, as a result of nobody likes to be described as a fragile state. So, I do anticipate that can be a subject of debate – however certainly one of many. I need to additionally point out that the African Growth Financial institution is in Cote d’Ivoire, so we’re excited to go discuss to them the place now we have main investments, and I believe we’ll concentrate on meals safety.
These of you who’ve heard the Secretary discuss it, that’s an actual ardour challenge of his, drawing on the experience of the agronomist Dr. Cary Fowler who works right here on the division. I hope we would have the ability to get him to a soccer pitch – the soccer stadium. And I believe Cote d’Ivoire has additionally been a extremely good companion to us in worldwide fora, so he’s wanting ahead to discussing all these sorts of issues.
Nathan, is there a delay or did I lose you?
OPERATOR: Hello, I’m getting – that is AT&T. I get notices that persons are shedding connection. We have now had experiences of community points right now, so that could be a problem. I can strive going to the subsequent individual within the queue for those who like.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY PHEE: That’s high-quality with me.
OPERATOR: All proper. We’ll go to the road of Nick Turse with The Intercept.
QUESTION: Thanks for taking the time to speak to me, Secretary Phee. Final month, the Nigerian navy bombed a spiritual celebration that killed 85 civilians, and it’s the newest in a collection of Nigerian airstrikes which have killed civilians, together with a 2017 assault on a displaced individuals camp that killed 160 individuals. Is Secretary Blinken going to lift the difficulty of those assaults with the Nigerian authorities? Will he demand accountability and transparency? And can the U.S. take another measures to halt these repeated assaults?
ASSISTANT SECRETARY PHEE: So, for those who’re referring to the assault in – I wouldn’t name it an assault. The Nigerians have admitted it was an operational error that tragically killed individuals in Kaduna State. I believe the Secretary will certainly discuss that with the president. The president and the management of Nigeria went to Kaduna State. They acted with transparency, instantly acknowledged the horrific accident. They arrange a reparation course of and a clear investigation. So, they’ve, I believe, responded to that tragedy in a constructive approach that can contribute to rebuilding confidence of the Nigerian individuals and the safety providers.
And these problems with defend civilians when doing complicated operations in a fraught safety surroundings, which Nigeria is coping with, the significance of selling and defending human rights, together with spiritual freedom, and, once more, type of one of the best practices of accountability and transparency, are a part of our ongoing dialogue with the federal government and with the safety providers. We host – we’re internet hosting this week a Nigerian delegation led by the nationwide safety adviser, and we hosted about 4 hours of discussions right here on the State Division yesterday and that was a working theme all through the day. So, I’m sure the Secretary will discuss it when he sees the president and the international minister.
QUESTION: Thanks.
STAFF: AT&T, can we go to – Mr. Tek is coming again onto the road, however I consider now we have a – certainly one of our African retailers on-line. I simply bought kicked out of convention monitor. Are you able to name on them, please?
OPERATOR: I’m sorry. Which particular person specifically, or I can go to the subsequent in queue? I’m not understanding the individual you’re wanting me to go to.
STAFF: Sorry, let’s go to the Washington Put up, I consider, is within the queue.
OPERATOR: I don’t present them in queue on my finish.
STAFF: All proper. Let’s go to the subsequent individual then.
OPERATOR: Okay. We’ll go to Keni Osukoya from Africa Bazaar Journal.
QUESTION: Hiya. Are you able to hear me? Hiya.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY PHEE: Hiya. Hello.
QUESTION: Hello, hello, yeah, thanks. Thanks for taking my questions. So, I wished to – I do know this journey appeared sudden, and I’m questioning why is the Secretary touring to those nations or East Africa (inaudible) provided that President Biden was – mentioned he’ll journey to Africa final 12 months. That was the promise he made through the U.S.-African Leaders Summit. And now we didn’t hear something as to the explanation why he didn’t journey final 12 months. So, for those who can discuss that facet of it.
And I additionally wished to – I do know you talked about South Africa briefly – a problem that’s ongoing proper now with the South Africa and the Israel-Gaza deal. And I’m questioning if Secretary Blinken, throughout his assembly with the – with Nigeria and different African chief, whether or not that’s one thing that he may even focus on with them on that challenge.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY PHEE: So, thanks on your questions. The road is fairly unhealthy, however I believe I heard you characterize this journey as sudden, and I might not characterize it that approach in any respect. In the event you take a look at the Secretary’s monitor report, he’s been deeply engaged in Africa, very considering working with our African companions. And this can be his fourth journey to the continent. This follows final 12 months, the place we had 17 Cupboard-level officers go to the continent as a follow-up to the Africa Leaders Summit. So, there’s nothing new right here in American curiosity in Africa or Secretary Blinken’s curiosity in Africa.
And with regard to the President, I don’t, in fact, communicate for the White Home, however I do know he stays critical about his need to journey to Africa. And once more, whereas I don’t have something to announce on that at the moment, I believe for those who look throughout his administration and the several types of efforts, actions, exchanges which were undertaken over the previous 12 months or so, you’ll see demonstrable dedication by the US to Africa.
And I actually anticipate the Secretary to transient authorities leaders he wants who may be considering his intense efforts to resolve the disaster between Israel and Hamas. Thanks.
QUESTION: And if I can simply —
MR TEK: Thanks. We simply – I’m sorry, we – hello, that is Nathan. I’m again on the road once more, apologies. I had technical points. We sadly don’t have time for follow-up questions. So Wealthy, for those who don’t thoughts, if we might please go to Cindy Saine from Voice of America.
QUESTION: Sure. Thanks a lot for doing this. I used to be questioning for those who might discuss in regards to the go to to Cabo Verde and the principle points there. Thanks.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY PHEE: Oh, certain. So, we’re so excited to go to Cabo Verde. It’s like a literal metaphor, if that is sensible. We have now had two Millennium Problem Compacts which have contributed to Cabo Verde’s improvement, together with the port in Praia. And actually, they’ve simply been deemed eligible for discussions for a 3rd regional compact.
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And so we consider our engagement with Cabo Verde demonstrates the optimistic impression of U.S. funding and infrastructure in Africa, which is so vital to Africans. And it’s actually the port, if you’ll, on Africa’s doorstep. Cape Verde can be – Cabo Verde can be a terrific democracy. It’s a great mannequin for the area, and it’s an vital companion in our effort to type of speed up engagement with Atlantic shoreline companions on all kinds of points by way of the surroundings, maritime safety, and whatnot. So, we’re actually wanting ahead to having the chance to cease and have a great dialogue there.
MR TEK: Thanks. Can we go to Jennifer Hansler from CNN?
QUESTION: Hello. Thanks for doing the decision. I used to be questioning whether or not you could possibly focus on how a lot competing with China will come up on this journey, how a lot you wish to counter China’s affect within the continent significantly. Wang Yi simply departed Côte d’Ivoire, I consider. They clearly have a robust foothold in lots of these nations. Thanks.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY PHEE: So, Jennifer, I’m certain you’ve heard the Secretary discuss this earlier than. It’s you guys, frankly, who body this as a U.S.-China soccer match. We don’t. We – if China didn’t exist, we’d be absolutely engaged in Africa. Africa is vital for its personal sake and it’s vital for American pursuits. And so, we pursue lots of the sorts of actions I mentioned on the prime, together with these infrastructure initiatives. That’s what we’ll spotlight in Angola – the Lobito challenge, which is the primary actually substantial funding we’ve accomplished. MCC initiatives, for instance, as I simply described in Cabo Verde, however in Angola with the Lobito challenge that stretches via DRC to Zambia. You see a regional effort that includes DFC, ExIM and different non-public sector funding.
So, we need to spotlight our response to African issues. In Nigeria, we hope to take a look at a pharmaceutical firm the place we’ve helped assist Africans develop their very own manufacturing capabilities. Once we – after I took this job in 2021 in the midst of the pandemic, there wasn’t a single vaccine manufacturing facility on the continent. Now there are 4. The manufacturing unit in Nigeria produces medicines comparable to antimalarials.
So, we need to discuss to Nigerians and others about how they’re a part of the worldwide dialog on setting norms, for instance, for AI, for a brand new African seat on the Safety Council, how we undertake Safety Council reform collectively. You’ve seen we’ve efficiently promoted Africa to be a member of the G20.
So, there’s rather a lot to debate, lots of work we do collectively on the continent and globally, and that’s going to be the main focus of the journey.
MR TEK: Thanks a lot. Can we please go to Barbara Usher from BBC?
QUESTION: Hello, thanks. I used to be really going to ask about DRC, which Shaun already did mainly, how you’ll be planning to construct on the conferences you’ve already needed to get that – these ceasefires for the election and the way you would possibly have the ability to consolidate that. However it sounds such as you’re largely going to be speaking in regards to the Lobito challenge, right me if I’m unsuitable. And because you talked about the Africa Cup (inaudible) —
ASSISTANT SECRETARY PHEE: Sure, (inaudible) Barbara. Barbara, you are able to do multiple factor on a visit.
QUESTION: (Laughter.) Because you talked about the Africa Cup, might you tell us if there’s already a match that Mr. Blinken is eyeing?
ASSISTANT SECRETARY PHEE: Yeah. I consider the day we’re there it’s Côte d’Ivoire towards Equatorial Guinea, however they’re nonetheless finalizing the journey particulars. So, I wouldn’t rush to print or to air with that, as a result of they’re nonetheless – they haven’t nailed down all of the journey particulars. However yeah – however Barbara, simply to clarify, severely, I absolutely anticipate we’ll have an important dialog with the international minister and the president about their very efficient management in managing the tensions in japanese DRC and the way – how we are able to complement what now we have invested in and what they’ve invested in in order that they’ll carry it ahead.
MR TEK: Thanks a lot. That does sadly conclude our time this morning for this name. Thanks a lot to our speaker, Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Molly Phee. That does conclude the decision. The embargo is now lifted. Thanks all for becoming a member of us. Have an amazing day.
