Joe Biden will defend, at a summit next week, the idea of integrating the African Union into the G20, the group bringing together 19 of the most advanced economies as well as the European Union, in order to strengthen the role played by the continent, the White House said on Friday.
The US president will make the announcement during a three-day US-Africa summit starting Tuesday in Washington, during which the Biden administration will show its intention to get closer to the African continent, where China and Russia cultivate their influence.
“It is high time that Africa had permanent seats at the table of international organizations and initiatives,” said Judd Devermont, executive director for African Affairs of the White House National Security Council.
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“We need more African voices in international conversations about the global economy, democracy and governance, climate change, health and security,” he added.
He said the United States would discuss the role of the AU with India, which will chair the G20 in 2023. South Africa is currently the only African country to feature in the G20, born in its current form during the financial crisis of 2008. During the General Assembly of the United Nations in September, Joe Biden had also supported the demand for permanent seats on the Security Council for Africa and Latin America, and recalled the support of the United States United for Japan and India.
The administration has more broadly supported the African Union's diplomatic role on the continent, and cultivated friendly relations with the current AU chair, Senegalese head of state Macky Sall, who is due next week. at the summit in Washington.
Host of the G20 last month, Indonesia had invited Macky Sall to participate in Bali.
