Washington’s top diplomat has begun his first Africa tour by meeting with the African Union chief, who said the continent has moved on from a reported insult by President Donald Trump.
Addis Ababa – Washington’s top diplomat began his first Africa tour Thursday by meeting with the African Union chief, who said the continent had moved on from a reported insult by President Donald Trump.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and AU commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat discussed security and counter-terrorism, trade and development, corruption and conflict in an hour-long meeting at the continental body’s headquarters in the Ethiopian capital.
However, looming over the meeting was Trump’s alleged description of Africa as a « shithole » in January, which forced the president to pen a letter reaffirming his commitment to the continent and dispatch his top diplomat to try to heal rifts.
Faki, however, insisted the slur was now in the past.
« I received a letter written by President Trump to myself and I shared that with other African leaders. I believe this incident is in the past, » he said.
KEEP UPDATED on the latest news from around the continent
by subscribing to our FREE newsletter, Hello Africa.
FOLLOW News24 Africa on Twitter and Facebook .
Tillerson’s five-nation Africa tour – to include Djibouti, Kenya, Chad and Nigeria – has been described by analysts as a « listening tour », with no deals or initiatives due to be announced.
« The purpose of my trip is to listen to what the priorities of the countries here on the continent are and see where there is good alignment, » said Tillerson.
Tillerson praised the AU as a « force for good ».
He and Faki discussed continued US support to African counter-terrorism forces in Somalia and the Sahel but no new concrete commitments were given.
Tillerson said the AU Mission in Somalia (Amisom) is « clearly an example of countries coming together to counter terrorism, promote stability and enable the delivery of much-needed aid ».
« We have not yet won that battle in Somalia and we must stay at it, » he said.
Tillerson also warned against blind acceptance of Chinese investment, warning African countries to « consider the terms of those investments » lest they « forfeit sovereignty ».
He also solicited African support in pressuring North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons.
« African nations can contribute to this goal, » he said.
