Saturday, May 25, 2024

Kenyan President's State Visit to US

 CNN published on 23 May an article titled "Biden Looks to Counter China's Influence as He Rolls Out Red Carpet for Kenya" by Kevin Liptak and Kayla Tausche.

The article places the state visit to the United States by Kenyan President William Ruto in the context of competition between Washington and Beijing for economic and political influence in Africa.

Comment:  While competition with China is often a sub theme of US policy in Africa, it is a mistake to conclude it is the driving factor.  Washington needs and wants to develop stronger relations across the continent for its own interests, which extend far beyond what China is doing in Africa.