Bipartisan Coalition Leads Charge to Strengthen Partnerships with African Nations

November 16, 2020 by Sean Trambley
Bipartisan Coalition Leads Charge to Strengthen Partnerships with African Nations
A local resident holds her child as a Mozambican nurse explains contraception methods and sexual education during an health point gathering organised by the United Nations Fund for Population activities in partnership with the Mozambican Health Department to address early motherhood and child marriage on July 4, 2018 in Massininca on the outskirts of Nacala, Nampula Province, Mozambique.(Gianluigi Guercia/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

WASHINGTON – Reps. Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., Anthony G. Brown, D-Md., Austin Scott, R-Ga., and Richard Hudson, R-N.C., have introduced the Africa Foreign Relations, International Cooperation, and Assistance Act, H.R. 8186, to enhance security and economic partnerships between the United States and African countries.  

The bill requires the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of State, to submit a report on the groundwork necessary to strengthen these critical alliances and relationships.

“Our security and economic relationships in Africa must foster democratic and developmental advancement,” said Rep. Panetta. “The AFRICA Act is a positive step in ensuring continued, mutual support. I am glad to lead on this legislation so that US-Africa engagement supports prosperity, democratic values, and humanitarian priorities.”

The 2017 United States National Security Strategy recognized the strategic importance of democratizing the rapidly growing African continent. African countries represent approximately 16% of the global population and 60% of the population under the age of 25. By 2050, Africa is expected to have more than half of the global population.  

As this region enters a new period, United States partnership and engagement with African countries will help defend peace and security, advance economic prosperity, and promote respect for fundamental human rights.

“Global stability, American security and economic opportunity require us to be engaged with our allies and partners in Africa. The AFRICA Act is a starting point toward stronger, more mutually beneficial relationships on the continent,” said Rep. Brown. “I’ve seen firsthand the aspirational progress being made toward a more democratic, economically prosperous and secure Africa. Through increased engagement we will continue to foster these bonds.” 

“I am proud to join my colleagues on the AFRICA Act because it will expand DOD’s theater security cooperation efforts across the entire continent of Africa. I have had the opportunity to visit several countries in Africa on multiple occasions to see firsthand how the men and women of the U.S. military are working to support and expand our partnerships. The good work they have done over the years to foster security must not be squandered by allowing U.S. adversaries like Communist China and Russia, who are bent on stealing the natural resources of the continent, to gain a foothold in the region,” said Rep. Scott.

The AFRICA Act was included in the FY21 National Defense Authorization Act passed by the House of Representatives. The cosponsors urge inclusion of the bill in the final conference report.  

A+
a-
  • Africa
  • Austin Scott
  • bipartisan
  • Defense Department
  • Jimmy Panetta
  • Richard Hudson
  • In The News

    Health

    Voting

    Foreign Affairs

    At Paris Gathering, Western Leaders to Show Unity for Ukraine and Signal 'Russia Cannot Win'

    PARIS (AP) — More than 20 European heads of state and government and other Western officials are gathering in a... Read More

    PARIS (AP) — More than 20 European heads of state and government and other Western officials are gathering in a show of unity for Ukraine, signaling to Russia that their support for Kyiv isn't wavering as the full-scale invasion grinds into a third year. French President Emmanuel Macron,... Read More

    Unlikely Challenger to Putin Brings Rare Show of Defiance, Creating Dilemma for Kremlin

    They have lined up by the thousands across Russia in recent days, standing in the bitter cold for a chance... Read More

    They have lined up by the thousands across Russia in recent days, standing in the bitter cold for a chance to sign petitions to support an unlikely challenger to President Vladimir Putin. Boris Nadezhdin has become a dilemma for the Kremlin as he seeks to run... Read More

    The UK and France Reiterate Russia's Invasion of Ukraine Must End in Failure as US Aid Falters

    PARIS (AP) — Britain and France reiterated their determination Tuesday that Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine ends in failure, with the U.K.... Read More

    PARIS (AP) — Britain and France reiterated their determination Tuesday that Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine ends in failure, with the U.K. foreign minister saying that Ukraine's allies must better leverage their economic might to vastly outmatch Moscow's war machine. The renewed insistence from U.K. Foreign Secretary David... Read More

    China's State Media Take a New Tone Toward US Ahead of Meeting Between Leaders

    Ahead of the highly anticipated meeting on Wednesday between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Chinese state media have... Read More

    Ahead of the highly anticipated meeting on Wednesday between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Chinese state media have taken a new tone toward the U.S. with less negative coverage, calls for a return to warmer ties and stories of Americans with positive connections to... Read More

    Albanese Arrives at White House to Start Day of Meetings and Celebrations

    WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden pressed forward with this week's state visit from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, carving out time... Read More

    WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden pressed forward with this week's state visit from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, carving out time to nurture the relationship with a critical U.S. ally in the Pacific against the backdrop of escalating fighting between Israel and Hamas. The state visit, only the... Read More

    Live Updates | Cease-Fire Pleas and Israel-Hamas Recriminations Rise in Wake of Gaza Hospital Blast

    President Joe Biden is in Israel on an urgent mission to keep the Israel-Hamas war from spiraling into a broader... Read More

    President Joe Biden is in Israel on an urgent mission to keep the Israel-Hamas war from spiraling into a broader regional conflict and to encourage the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians. The president's visit on Wednesday came after hundreds of people were reported killed... Read More

    News From The Well
    scroll top