Mike Pompeo Visits Africa, Skips Nigeria by Kwanza: 11:15pm On Feb 14, 2020 |
The United States is discussing military cuts in Africa, has tightened visa rules for Africans and President Donald Trump notoriously was quoted as disparaging the continent with a vulgar epithet.
But in his first visit to sub-Saharan Africa in his nearly two years in office, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will seek to lay out a positive vision for US cooperation with the continent where China has been increasingly active.
Pompeo on Saturday begins a trip to Senegal, Angola and Ethiopia, chosen for their leaders’ attachment to democratic values in a continent that has seen backsliding in recent years.
“These three countries are major contributors to regional stability. Also, the countries are benefiting from dynamic leadership,” a senior State Department official said on customary condition of anonymity.
The official said that a “major theme” will be the growing role of China, which has poured money into the continent as part of its global blitz of infrastructure spending.
China has invested especially heavily in Angola, which racked up an estimated $25 billion in debt to Beijing to be repaid with oil shipments.
The United States has been encouraging developing countries to exercise caution with China, saying that big-ticket projects can turn into debt traps that primarily benefit China, and has billed the US private sector as an alternative.
The US official said Pompeo would stress “economic growth, trade and investment” in a continent whose population is forecast to double by 2050.
“We want to absolutely empower that youth and make sure that they are a force for dynamic growth and economic empowerment and better governance in the world,” he said.
Concerns on security The United States has hardly sent consistently supportive messages ahead of Pompeo’s trip. The Pentagon announced this week that it will start adjusting its military presence in Africa as it considers cuts, with resources instead expected to go to countering China, Russia and Iran.
France has voiced particular concern at the impact of US cuts on the fight against Islamist extremism. The French are leading a 4,500-strong operation in the Sahel to crush a rise in militants, with the United States providing in-flight refueling and other logistical support.
“I think the signal the US government is said to have sent that they are withdrawing from the Sahel will be very, very worrisome in Senegal and in the Sahelian countries,” said Ahmadou Aly Mbaye, a professor at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar.
“This should be a very important talking point during his visit,” said Mbaye, who is also a non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington.
Weeks before Pompeo’s trip, the United States said it was also sharply tightening visa rules for citizens of six countries including Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria, and Sudan, whose new civilian government has been seeking international support.
US officials said the countries needed to resolve technical issues related to security, but some critics recalled Trump’s widely reported remarks in 2018 when he used a profanity to describe African and poorer Western Hemisphere nations that send immigrants to the United States.
A trip is not a ‘strategy’ One former US diplomat expressed confusion over the goals of Pompeo’s trip to sub-Saharan Africa, the only region he has not previously visited.
“It’s not clear why he is going now and whether this is part of any broader US strategy on Africa, especially when the administration has indicated in just the last few weeks that it intends to exponentially reduce its security and aid investments,” said the former diplomat, who requested anonymity to speak candidly.
“You can’t just check the box of having an Africa policy by stopping in a few countries on a big continent and then call that a strategy.”
Witney Schneidman, who worked on Africa in the State Department under President Bill Clinton, said Pompeo’s trip showed the Trump administration trying belatedly to set “a positive tone on the continent.”
But he said that Pompeo would have his hands full explaining the mixed messages from Washington, which include sharp cuts in both the Commerce Department and overseas aid in Trump’s latest budget proposal.
“I think that he risks getting caught up in a sort of China-China-China dynamic and really needs to convey to African leaders that Africa is genuinely a priority for the United States,” said Schneidman, who is also at the Brookings Institution.
“If he can cut through and promote those messages clearly, then I think his trip will be successful.”
The last secretary of state to visit sub-Saharan Africa was Pompeo’s predecessor, Rex Tillerson, in March 2018.
He was unusually buoyant in Africa but the trip was not auspicious. On his return, Trump fired him. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.channelstv.com/2020/02/14/pompeo-makes-first-africa-trip-skips-nigeria/amp/ 13 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Mike Pompeo Visits Africa, Skips Nigeria by ZombieHUNT: 11:17pm On Feb 14, 2020 |
Who in his right senses will like to see Mr lifeless
Nobody... 339 Likes 17 Shares |
Re: Mike Pompeo Visits Africa, Skips Nigeria by slivertongue: 11:19pm On Feb 14, 2020 |
Nigeria is not important .
a nation were terrorists are treated with kid gloves is an epidemic to global security 194 Likes 17 Shares |
Re: Mike Pompeo Visits Africa, Skips Nigeria by Splashme: 11:25pm On Feb 14, 2020 |
. No reasonable country takes Nigeria seriously any longer.
Buhari has destroyed this country
Truly, Nigeria is a shithole.
Buhari is a shithole
. 311 Likes 18 Shares |
Re: Mike Pompeo Visits Africa, Skips Nigeria by SarkinYarki: 11:27pm On Feb 14, 2020 |
Only a fool will go and visit any country Buhari is leading ..Buhari has nothing to offer locally and internationally 202 Likes 11 Shares |
Re: Mike Pompeo Visits Africa, Skips Nigeria by Righteousness89(m): 11:28pm On Feb 14, 2020 |
Kwanza: The United States is discussing military cuts in Africa, has tightened visa rules for Africans and President Donald Trump notoriously was quoted as disparaging the continent with a vulgar epithet.
But in his first visit to sub-Saharan Africa in his nearly two years in office, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will seek to lay out a positive vision for US cooperation with the continent where China has been increasingly active.
Pompeo on Saturday begins a trip to Senegal, Angola and Ethiopia, chosen for their leaders’ attachment to democratic values in a continent that has seen backsliding in recent years.
“These three countries are major contributors to regional stability. Also, the countries are benefiting from dynamic leadership,” a senior State Department official said on customary condition of anonymity.
The official said that a “major theme” will be the growing role of China, which has poured money into the continent as part of its global blitz of infrastructure spending.
China has invested especially heavily in Angola, which racked up an estimated $25 billion in debt to Beijing to be repaid with oil shipments.
The United States has been encouraging developing countries to exercise caution with China, saying that big-ticket projects can turn into debt traps that primarily benefit China, and has billed the US private sector as an alternative.
The US official said Pompeo would stress “economic growth, trade and investment” in a continent whose population is forecast to double by 2050.
“We want to absolutely empower that youth and make sure that they are a force for dynamic growth and economic empowerment and better governance in the world,” he said.
Concerns on security The United States has hardly sent consistently supportive messages ahead of Pompeo’s trip. The Pentagon announced this week that it will start adjusting its military presence in Africa as it considers cuts, with resources instead expected to go to countering China, Russia and Iran.
France has voiced particular concern at the impact of US cuts on the fight against Islamist extremism. The French are leading a 4,500-strong operation in the Sahel to crush a rise in militants, with the United States providing in-flight refueling and other logistical support.
“I think the signal the US government is said to have sent that they are withdrawing from the Sahel will be very, very worrisome in Senegal and in the Sahelian countries,” said Ahmadou Aly Mbaye, a professor at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar.
“This should be a very important talking point during his visit,” said Mbaye, who is also a non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington.
Weeks before Pompeo’s trip, the United States said it was also sharply tightening visa rules for citizens of six countries including Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria, and Sudan, whose new civilian government has been seeking international support.
US officials said the countries needed to resolve technical issues related to security, but some critics recalled Trump’s widely reported remarks in 2018 when he used a profanity to describe African and poorer Western Hemisphere nations that send immigrants to the United States.
A trip is not a ‘strategy’ One former US diplomat expressed confusion over the goals of Pompeo’s trip to sub-Saharan Africa, the only region he has not previously visited.
“It’s not clear why he is going now and whether this is part of any broader US strategy on Africa, especially when the administration has indicated in just the last few weeks that it intends to exponentially reduce its security and aid investments,” said the former diplomat, who requested anonymity to speak candidly.
“You can’t just check the box of having an Africa policy by stopping in a few countries on a big continent and then call that a strategy.”
Witney Schneidman, who worked on Africa in the State Department under President Bill Clinton, said Pompeo’s trip showed the Trump administration trying belatedly to set “a positive tone on the continent.”
But he said that Pompeo would have his hands full explaining the mixed messages from Washington, which include sharp cuts in both the Commerce Department and overseas aid in Trump’s latest budget proposal.
“I think that he risks getting caught up in a sort of China-China-China dynamic and really needs to convey to African leaders that Africa is genuinely a priority for the United States,” said Schneidman, who is also at the Brookings Institution.
“If he can cut through and promote those messages clearly, then I think his trip will be successful.”
The last secretary of state to visit sub-Saharan Africa was Pompeo’s predecessor, Rex Tillerson, in March 2018.
He was unusually buoyant in Africa but the trip was not auspicious. On his return, Trump fired him. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.channelstv.com/2020/02/14/pompeo-makes-first-africa-trip-skips-nigeria/amp/%3ffbclid=IwAR3uRpZUpUIOtePIAyh-EqCNvvYimD2ES2mT-PmFswcEzHECu-0ULm6SyaA Are You suprised?? I am not! 47 Likes |
Re: Mike Pompeo Visits Africa, Skips Nigeria by SarkinYarki: 11:28pm On Feb 14, 2020 |
Pompeo on Saturday begins a trip to Senegal, Angola and Ethiopia, chosen for their leaders’ attachment to democratic values in a continent that has seen backsliding in recent years. By this Yardstick Buhari is not near qualified 85 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Mike Pompeo Visits Africa, Skips Nigeria by yanabasee(m): 11:29pm On Feb 14, 2020 |
Nigeria is not a country in Africa..... Nigeria is a Zoo in Africa....
Pompeo should only visit countries with a sensible leader that'd obey human rights...
I really pity Sowore!! 129 Likes 8 Shares |
Re: Mike Pompeo Visits Africa, Skips Nigeria by Commentor: 11:32pm On Feb 14, 2020 |
Angola democratic?? 6 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Mike Pompeo Visits Africa, Skips Nigeria by NigeriaIsDoomed: 11:33pm On Feb 14, 2020 |
Who wants to visit a country led by terrorists in power! Zoo country! 84 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Mike Pompeo Visits Africa, Skips Nigeria by Ogonimilitant(m): 11:35pm On Feb 14, 2020 |
Nigeria is a failed nation who would want to associate itself with a terrorist nation 47 Likes 3 Shares |
Re: Mike Pompeo Visits Africa, Skips Nigeria by NGpatriot: 11:41pm On Feb 14, 2020 |
Hateful and bitter anti Nigerian Igbos are already on a rampage. Some people just neva sabi happiness in their life before, na only hatred and frustration den sabi.. 54 Likes 8 Shares |
Re: Mike Pompeo Visits Africa, Skips Nigeria by ZombieHUNT: 11:50pm On Feb 14, 2020 |
NGpatriot: Hateful and bitter anti Nigerian Igbos are already on a rampage. Some people just neva sabi happiness in their life before, na only hatred and frustration den sabi..
Continue shinning brown teeth Buhari is a disappointment to Aisha and his family ..... Zombie robots everywhere 153 Likes 12 Shares |
Re: Mike Pompeo Visits Africa, Skips Nigeria by BiafraIpob25: 11:53pm On Feb 14, 2020 |
35 Likes 4 Shares |
Re: Mike Pompeo Visits Africa, Skips Nigeria by Rossinky: 12:02am On Feb 15, 2020 |
Pompeo skips Nigeria. THANK GOODNESS.
Nigeria does NOT need Pompeo in Nigeria.
In AMERICA, Pompeo is regarded as Trump's criminal enabler in that tyrant's drive to destroy the rule of law and accountability.
The Trump regime has ZERO CREDIBILITY in the comity of nations, and Nigeria does not need to associate herself with it.
Just last week, the increasingly corrupt US Senate voted to ACQUIT Trump of clear criminal conduct, after blocking witnesses to his crimes from testifying in his impeachment trial.
Yes. They actually BLOCKED witnesses from testifying in a TRIAL.
They said ''we don't want to hear the evidence''. Then they acquitted him.
Is that what you call a government?
They have NOTHING to teach Nigeria. America is in trouble, and need to save themselves from their rapidly declining nation, led by an imbecilic crook and madman.
Trump is a demented DICTATOR, and the sooner the world is rid of him the better. 56 Likes 12 Shares |
Re: Mike Pompeo Visits Africa, Skips Nigeria by NGpatriot: 12:04am On Feb 15, 2020 |
[s] ZombieHUNT:
Continue shinning brown teeth Buhari is a disappointment to Aisha and his family ..... Zombie robots everywhere [/s] Bitter, angry and hateful mentality is bad for your health, Nigeria no send you.. You see green white green and starts and stripes in that picture. US/Nigeria. 19 Likes 3 Shares |
Re: Mike Pompeo Visits Africa, Skips Nigeria by ZombieHUNT: 12:06am On Feb 15, 2020 |
NGpatriot: [s][/s] Bitter, angry and hateful mentality is bad for your health, Nigeria no send you.. You should have shown your president.. Or are you ashamed of supporting lifelessness.. Pity.. 73 Likes 5 Shares |
Re: Mike Pompeo Visits Africa, Skips Nigeria by victoronyekwelu(m): 12:12am On Feb 15, 2020 |
Boko Haram, Herdsmen kidnappers bad road even the air is contaminated. Alaye is scared that's why 8 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Mike Pompeo Visits Africa, Skips Nigeria by NGpatriot: 12:15am On Feb 15, 2020 |
[s] ZombieHUNT:
You should have shown your president.. Or are you ashamed of supporting lifelessness..
Pity.. [/s] What's the President's business with foreign affairs and matters in the domain of foreign affairs minsters in both countries? Why do you hateful and bitter people always sound ignorant? Abeg pity yourself because you need serious pitying. 13 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Mike Pompeo Visits Africa, Skips Nigeria by ZombieHUNT: 12:18am On Feb 15, 2020 |
NGpatriot: [s][/s] What's the President's business with foreign affairs and matters in the domain of foreign affairs minsters in both countries? Why do you hateful and bitter people always sound ignorant? Abeg pity yourself because you need serious pitying. This is a sad one Zombies are ashamed of displaying Mr lifeless pictures. 67 Likes 6 Shares |
Re: Mike Pompeo Visits Africa, Skips Nigeria by NGpatriot: 12:28am On Feb 15, 2020 |
[s] ZombieHUNT:
This is a sad one Zombies are ashamed of displaying Mr lifeless pictures. [/s] I see sadness, bitterness, frustration, anger and hatred in you and everything you post. 5 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Mike Pompeo Visits Africa, Skips Nigeria by SarkinYarki: 12:32am On Feb 15, 2020 |
NGpatriot: [s][/s]
I see sadness, bitterness, frustration, anger and hatred in you and everything you post.
Guy talk true !!!! Is Buhari not a failure ? 64 Likes 5 Shares |
Re: Mike Pompeo Visits Africa, Skips Nigeria by festacman(m): 12:36am On Feb 15, 2020 |
Lets face it. How many African countries became transformed overnight because Mr. Barak Obama visited them as POTUS?
The truth is that Mr. Mike Pompeo's visit, though would have been welcomed, will not make us self-sufficient in rice. It will not increase the price of our oil in international market. It will not make the bandits in the North to stop their madness. Pompeo will come, speak arrogantly and go back. He will not solve our problems for us. We are the ones who would solve our problems.
The truth is white supremacist Mr. Trump does not give a hoot about "shithole" Africa. The fact that last Secretary of State Mr. Rex Tillerson who visited Africa got fired by Trump as soon as his plane landed in Washington from Africa, shows that such visits are more often than not 'to fulfil all diplomatic righteousness'.
The earlier our leaders in the North, South, East and West of Nigeria rise above selfishness to use public funds for specified purposes, the better for us. 48 Likes 4 Shares |
Re: Mike Pompeo Visits Africa, Skips Nigeria by NGpatriot: 12:47am On Feb 15, 2020 |
SarkinYarki:
Guy talk true !!!! Is Buhari not a failure ? He is, according to frustrated, bitter, angry and hateful anti Nigerian Igbos. 8 Likes |
Re: Mike Pompeo Visits Africa, Skips Nigeria by Nobody: 2:55am On Feb 15, 2020 |
That guy should go and ask John Kerry how it is usually done. |
Re: Mike Pompeo Visits Africa, Skips Nigeria by BlackfireX: 2:58am On Feb 15, 2020 |
We don't want him and trump...
It pained pompeo that Nigeria did not give him visa. 2 Likes |
Re: Mike Pompeo Visits Africa, Skips Nigeria by johnmartus(m): 5:52am On Feb 15, 2020 |
America can go to hell. Buhari will not reveal Nigeria security apparatus to USA. He can visit their colonies. We don't give a damm. 7 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Mike Pompeo Visits Africa, Skips Nigeria by chichar1(f): 6:11am On Feb 15, 2020 |
johnmartus: America can go to hell. Buhari will not reveal Nigeria security apparatus to USA. He can visit their colonies. We don't give a damm. Buhari can go to hell. America will never cut deal with shit hole country like Nigeria. They don't give a damm. 28 Likes |
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