By Pearl Matibe
As we wrap up 2022, here are a few bits of news, challenges, and opportunities to round up on the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit updates, many of which will benefit press freedom and the Diaspora.
During the course of the three-day Summit, several senior U.S. Government (USG) officials were in conversation and interviewed one-on-one, by White House Correspondent, Pearl Matibe at the International Media Center which was housed within the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit 2022 convention center. One of the USG officials included the U.S. Department of State, Deputy Spokesperson, Nathaniel Tek. Below is an excerpt; he spoke about various foreign policy conduct and stances of the United States of America at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit:
Pearl Matibe: Why are you having this Summit?
Nathaniel Tek: “We’re hosting this Summit because Africa is a major geopolitical player. It is the future of international relations in the 21st century. It’s a vibrant continent. It’s a dynamic continent. Africa is at the forefront of numerous, shared, core challenges.” (He added that [paraphrased] it is important for the U.S. to have hosted Africa in Washington, to show the serious engagement on a positive agenda of what America can bring to the table.]
Pearl Matibe: How do you go about helping African audiences understand America?
Nathaniel Tek: “In diplomacy, we say that 99% of the work is just showing up. We have embassies in most African countries, including in environments where it’s very difficult to operate. Our diplomats on the ground have meetings every day with youth, civil society, government officials, businesses, and a whole range of people in the communities to give them a direct view into what U.S. foreign policy is. We believe that a strong relationship between the United States and the African continent is not just about government-to-government communications, not just diplomatic conversations behind closed doors. It’s about these interlocking connections; between people, between businesses, between civil society, that are really essential in maintaining a strong relationship.”
Pearl Matibe: Could you comment on press freedom, given that it’s a cornerstone of democracy?
Nathaniel Tek: “First of all, on a personal level, as someone who deals with journalists on a daily basis, both here in the United States and in my career as a diplomat overseas, press freedom is a core part of the work we do as diplomats every day. Upholding freedom of the press is a part of American values, it’s a part of our Constitution, of our political culture. No journalist should be arrested for simply doing their job. They should not be harassed for doing their job.” End of excerpt.
On December 14, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), published a report stating that of the jailed and killed journalists in 2022, 56 journalists were imprisoned in Africa, on account of their journalism work just two weeks before the start of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit. Ranked as the top offenders were Egypt, as the top “jailer” with 21 journalists, Eritrea (16 journalists), Cameroon, Senegal, Rwanda, and Mali. Four journalists were killed in 2022; two in Chad and two in Somalia.
In at least one case, CPJ is investigating if a journalist killed in Kenya was due to his work. Against this backdrop and the unfolding Summit at the time, the U.S. Department of State responded to the CPJ report.
Questions that could be asked include: What substantive ideas came out of any of the Summit’s fora on freedom of the press, of African reporters, and African woman journalists that journalists can experience the outcomes and benefits? Are there concrete examples of, if President Biden and Secretary Blinken spoke to any leader on these issues about press freedom?
On December 15th, White House Correspondent Pearl Matibe, learned from a different State Department spokesperson, who concurred with, and reiterated, what Mr. Tek said about press freedom. This State Department spokesperson said, “U.S. and African leaders discussed, “a wide range of issues throughout the Summit. This Summit is an important opportunity to reaffirm with African partners our shared commitment to respect human rights and strengthen democratic institutions. A free and independent press is a vital core institution that undergirds healthy democracies by ensuring that electorates can make informed decisions and hold government officials accountable.
The United States condemns threats, harassment, and violence targeting journalists and media workers. No members of the press should be intimidated, threatened, or attacked by anyone for any reason, or arrested simply for doing their job. The Department advances press freedom in restrictive environments abroad, and we urge other governments to hold accountable those who target journalists with harassment, intimidation, and violence.”
On the 2023 elections on the African continent, according to Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, “President Biden hosted a small group of leaders to discuss how we can help support free, fair, and credible elections in 2023 like the ones we saw in several places this year, including Kenya.
As part of that discussion, the President pledged to work with Congress to provide over $165 million to support elections and good governance in Africa in the coming year. These will be key themes of the second Summit for Democracy coming up in March, where Zambia will be one of our co-hosts.”
On the African Diaspora, the White House said, “The African Diaspora in the United States is a source of strength. It encompasses African Americans, including descendants of enslaved Africans, and nearly two million African immigrants who have close familial, social, and economic connections to the continent. The African immigrant community makes significant contributions to America’s growth and prosperity.”The U.S. foreign policy is reshaping its approach towards Africa and placing increased importance on the African Diaspora.”
The African and Diaspora Young Leaders Forum, held on December 13 in Washington, DC as part of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, reflected the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to strengthening the dialogue between U.S. officials and the Diaspora in the United States, as described in the U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa,” the White House said.
During the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, several diaspora-related announcements were made. The White House released information confirming that these include:
- Through the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF), there will be a new award offered. USADF Inaugural Annual Diaspora Award: USADF launched an annual award Diaspora Award that will provide funding for U.S.-based businesses owned and led by members of the African Diaspora to strengthen trade and investment relationships with African small and medium enterprises.
- Improving Higher Education Recruitment and Retention: In May 2023 in South Africa, the Department of State plans to convene U.S. higher education representatives and education stakeholders from across the continent to explore strategies for increasing the recruitment and retention of African students on a range of U.S. campuses. The event will place particular focus on building relationships with future leaders, diversifying student pipelines, and matching international training and educational opportunities with local workforce and economic development needs.
- Supporting Summer Work Travel: Working with Congress, the Department of State plans to award up to 50 scholarships, totaling approximately $90,000, to exchange visitors from across Africa.
Pearl Matibe is a Washington, DC-based foreign correspondent, and media commentator with expertise on U.S. foreign policy and international security. You may follow her on Twitter: @PearlMatibe
