Joe Biden announces his support for African Union in summit

• Joe Biden supports the African Union’s G20 participation.
• In Washington, DC, for the three-day US-Africa Summit.
• Biden will say. Biden expects 50 African leaders.

US President Joe Biden will support the African Union’s permanent membership in the Group of 20 major economies in an effort to strengthen the position of the continent, according to the White House.

At the three-day US-Africa Summit, which begins on Tuesday in Washington, DC, Biden will make the announcement. At the summit, the US will commit to the continent in response to moves by China and Russia.

At a three-day meeting in Washington, DC, the United States is anticipated to examine the African Union’s position within the Group of 20 countries.

“It’s past time Africa has permanent seats at the table in international organizations and initiatives,” Judd Devermont, senior director for African affairs at the National Security Council, said on Friday.

“We need more African voices in international conversations that concern the global economy, democracy and governance, climate change, health and security,” said Devermont.

For the meetings taking place from December 13 to 15, which are expected to feature discussions between the US and India, the G20 presidency for 2023, over the role of the African Union, about 50 African leaders are anticipated to join Biden.

In an address to the UN Security Council in September, Biden expressed his support for the UN Security Council’s enlargement, including the inclusion of representation for Africa.

Few anticipate swift changes in the Security Council, but the US’s approach places it against China and especially Russia, both of whom are thought to be opposed to any effort to limit their ability to veto measures.

The Biden administration has supported the African Union’s diplomatic presence on the continent and made an effort to build rapport with Senegalese President Macky Sall, who will preside over the summit in Washington and is now the organization’s chair.

Sall was asked by the host nation of Indonesia to attend the most recent G20 summit held in Bali last month.

The G20, which was established in its current format during the 2008 financial crisis to bring together the world’s top economies, currently only has South Africa as a member.

On September 16, Vice President Biden and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa met at the White House. South Africa and many of its neighbors have declared their neutrality regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

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