Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Victoria Nuland, visited Niamey, Niger August 5, 2021 as part of a four-day working visit throughout Africa. Before Niger, she held meetings and diplomatic engagements in South Africa, Botswana, and Tanzania.
Under Secretary Nuland led an interagency delegation which included officials from the National Security Council, Department of Defense, and Department of State. This delegation is the most senior delegation in the Biden- Harris Administration to visit Sub-Saharan Africa.
The visit reinforces the Biden-Harris Administration’s focus on Africa. In Niger, Under Secretary Nuland met with President Mohamed Bazoum and Minister of Foreign Affairs Massoudou where they discussed bilateral and multilateral solutions to bolster Niger’s economy, strengthen democracy, and improve security. She also met with Nigerien women leaders, military members, police, and security officials. She conducted a press conference for Nigerien press, and she participated in a Digital Press Conference for international media from within the Embassy’s Rosa Parks Library.
Her visit demonstrates the Biden-Harris Administration’s intent to build relationships in Africa with the goal of working together to find solutions for shared global priorities such as combatting COVID-19; strengthening institutions for improved health security; promoting peace and security; fostering mutually beneficial economic growth; promoting human rights and good governance; and addressing the climate crisis.
During the digital press conference, Under Secretary Nuland explained more engagement to Africa from this administration is forthcoming. “You will see a lot more travel. I am the appetizer,” Nuland said.
