In a historic visit to Angola, President Joe Biden announced a $1 billion humanitarian assistance package for Africa, emphasizing the United States’ commitment to supporting the continent in the face of pressing challenges. The announcement was made during Biden’s remarks at the National Slavery Museum in Luanda on Tuesday, as part of a broader tour aimed at strengthening U.S.-Africa relations.
The aid package, which is directed at addressing the needs of refugees, internally displaced persons, and communities affected by severe droughts, will be distributed across 31 African countries. According to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the funding aims to tackle food insecurity and other critical humanitarian needs exacerbated by the worst drought on record in Southern Africa.
“We are all in on Africa,” Biden declared, underscoring the U.S.’s renewed focus on the region. He described the humanitarian assistance as a response to the displacement and hardship caused by climate-related disasters, signaling a commitment to addressing the continent’s evolving needs.
Speaking outside the National Slavery Museum, Biden reflected on the legacy of slavery, calling it “America’s original sin.” The museum, which chronicles Angola’s role as a major source of slaves during the transatlantic slave trade, provided a poignant backdrop for Biden’s remarks.
“Slavery is a stain on our history, one that still haunts our nation today,” he said. The president’s visit marked the first by a U.S. leader to Angola, highlighting the symbolic and strategic importance of the trip.
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In addition to humanitarian aid, Biden’s visit showcased U.S.-backed infrastructure initiatives, including the Lobito Corridor project. The project, a massive railway rehabilitation effort, connects mineral-rich regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia to Angola’s Atlantic port of Lobito, enhancing trade and export potential.
Biden described the project as a “game changer” for Africa’s economic landscape, emphasizing its role in bolstering regional development and strengthening ties with the U.S. and other global partners. Leaders from Angola, the DRC, Tanzania, and Zambia are set to convene for a summit on infrastructure investment in Lobito, further solidifying the collaborative efforts.
Angolan President João Lourenço hailed the visit as a turning point in U.S.-Angola relations, expressing a desire to deepen economic and security ties. Since taking office in 2017, Lourenço has positioned Angola as a key player in regional stability and economic development.
Biden’s administration has strategically focused on Africa as part of a broader effort to counter China’s growing influence on the continent. The U.S.’s investments in infrastructure and humanitarian aid aim to provide a competitive and collaborative alternative to Beijing’s initiatives.
Biden’s trip to Angola is part of a larger narrative that underscores Africa’s significance in global development. “The future runs through Africa,” Biden declared, reinforcing the continent’s role as a central player in shaping the world’s economic and geopolitical future.
As the U.S. approaches a leadership transition, Biden expressed hope that ongoing initiatives in Africa would continue to receive bipartisan support, ensuring sustained engagement and mutual progress.