Biden will support AU G20 membership

• Joe Biden will support a permanent position for the African Union.
• Biden will make the announcement at a three-day US-Africa Summit.
• The US will commit to the continent after China and Russia make gains.

Biden will support a permanent position for the African Union in the G-20, the White House stated.

Biden will make the announcement at a three-day US-Africa Summit that begins Tuesday in Washington, DC. The US will commit to the continent after China and Russia make gains.

Judd Devermont, senior director for African issues at the National Security Council, said Friday.

Devermont: “We need more African voices in global dialogues about the economy, democracy, governance, climate change, health, and security.”

About 50 African leaders are set to join Biden for the December 13-15 meetings, where the US will debate the African Union’s position with India, the 2023 G20 presidency.

Biden’s vow comes after he backed expanding the UN Security Council to include Africa in September.

Few expect swift changes at the Security Council, but the US stance places it against China and Russia, which oppose diluting their veto power.

The Biden administration has encouraged the African Union’s diplomatic position on the continent and sought close connections with the bloc’s current chair, Senegalese President Macky Sall.

Last month’s G20 meeting in Bali was hosted by Indonesia.

South Africa is the only African member of the G20, which was created in its current form amid the 2008 financial crisis.

South Africa and many of its neighbors have taken a neutral stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, thus Biden met with Ramaphosa on September 16 at the White House.

Also Read

Biden administration blacklists 24 firms for aiding Russian military

The Biden administration put 24 firms on an export control list. The...