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United States Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman is giving online press briefing from Libreville, Gabon. [Screen grab: US State Department
The Deputy Secretary of State of the United States, Wendy Sherman visited South Africa, Angola and Gabon last week. She gave an online press briefing about her trip from Libreville on Friday, 6th May, 2022.
Her visits were focused on bilateral and regional issues, including enhancing health security, promoting economic investment and trade between African countries and the United States, reinforcing regional security in Western and Southern Africa and addressing the climate crisis.
In her speech Mrs Sherman said “This trip was about deepening partnerships – and we truly see these relationships as partnerships. It was about consultation and open dialogue to identify areas of common ground where we can solve problems together, as well as discuss areas where we may not always agree, since no two nations have perfectly identical interests all of the time.”
LIVE NOW: Digital press briefing with @DeputySecState, Wendy Sherman, to discuss her current visit to Africa with stops in South Africa, Angola, and Gabon. Follow the conversation at #AFHubPress. pic.twitter.com/EydhnBNxxe
— US Africa Media Hub (@AfricaMediaHub) May 6, 2022
She reminded that Secretary Blinken said in Abuja last November that the United States “can’t achieve our goals around the world – whether that’s ending the COVID-19 pandemic, building a strong and inclusive global economy, combating the climate crisis, or revitalizing democracy and defending human rights – without the leadership of African governments, institutions, and citizens.”
“Climate change, the environment, conservation have been major themes on this trip because African countries are really countries that will suffer enormously if we don’t get to 1.5 degrees Celsius on the timetable that was set out in COP26” stated Deputy Secretary.
In her meeting with President Laurenço of Angola in Luanda, and President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon in Libreville Mrs Sherman “talked about regional security issues, things that are confronting and creating potential instability here in West and Southern Africa”. They also discussed “ ways that these governments are trying to provide leadership to address these threats and concerns and ways the United States can be helpful”.
In all three countries that Wendy Sherman visited, she discussed the Russia’s war in Ukraine and how it is “affecting people around the world, with higher energy prices and food prices.” “The United States is making food security a major focus of their presidency of the UN Security Council this month. We will continue to work with allies and partners around the world – including our partners here in Africa – to address the food security “ she added.
I was honored to have a warm and productive discussion with South Africa Minister of International Relations Pandor today. We discussed the U.S.-South Africa partnership and shared priorities including health, climate, and regional and global peace and security. pic.twitter.com/oEyANbaP0h
— Wendy R. Sherman (@DeputySecState) May 4, 2022
Mrs Sherman concluded “the most important thing about all of my meetings in South Africa, in Angola, and in Gabon: this is a two-way dialogue. This is not anybody coming to tell each other what each other must do. This is trying to solve issues and problems together, bring all of our expertise and all of our resources to bear on problems that affect all of us. This is what true partnership is about”.
By Moz Parks Editorial Staff
In my meeting today with Angolan Minister of State Chief Furtado I underscored our commitment to continue strengthening security cooperation between the United States and Angola. https://t.co/TNZVzM7ueJ pic.twitter.com/JiN0LPusTL
— Wendy R. Sherman (@DeputySecState) May 5, 2022
I was honored to meet with @PresidentABO today to discuss our strong bilateral relationship and Gabon’s important role in the #UNSC. We agreed to continue working side by side on critical shared priorities such as the environment and regional security. https://t.co/sLI8TV2Aov pic.twitter.com/L3eLzknQhi
— Wendy R. Sherman (@DeputySecState) May 6, 2022
It was a pleasure meeting with Gabon’s Minister of Defense, Félicité Ongouori Ngoubili. Our discussion on security cooperation and security issues demonstrates Gabon is a regional leader in advancing peace. https://t.co/RRT8dEHJHI pic.twitter.com/PMne7MO3ft
— Wendy R. Sherman (@DeputySecState) May 6, 2022
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