President Joe Biden of America and South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa have scheduled to meet over an agenda to draw African nations closer to the USA in tackling global problems.
Though this development is coming at a time when South Africa and most African countries have maintained neutrality on the Russia-Ukraine war.
The White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre who declared this through a statement she issued on Thursday said the meeting was slated to hold on September 16.
But when the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visited South Africa last month, he said the Biden administration sees Africa’s 54 nations as “equal partners” in tackling global problems.
Also, Blinken said Biden’s administration has been disappointed that South Africa and much of the continent have declined to follow the U.S. in condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
It would be recalled that South Africa abstained in a United Nations vote to condemn Russia’s action, and Ramaphosa has avoided any criticism of Russia and instead has called for a mediated peace.
However, Biden and Ramaphosa, who spoke by phone in April, are expected to focus their talks on trade and investment, infrastructure, climate and energy, public health and South Africa’s leading role on the continent, officials said.
Yet, Jean-Pierre said, “The two Presidents will reaffirm the importance of our enduring partnership, and discuss our work together to address regional and global challenges”.
