LUANDA, ANGOLA – The pink-hued Presidential Palace in Luanda, Angola was filled with warmth and excitement as U.S. President Joe Biden made his first and possibly last visit to the African continent as president on Tuesday. The red carpet was rolled out, national anthems were played by a military band, and a 21-gun salute welcomed the two leaders – President Biden and Angolan President Joao Lourenco – as they entered the palace, accompanied by diplomats.
During their meeting, President Biden expressed his pride and gratitude for the partnership between the United States and Angola, stating, “I am deeply proud of everything we have accomplished together so far, and there is so much more we can do in the future.”
According to Frances Brown, the senior director for African Affairs at the National Security Council, President Biden sees Angola as a prime example of a successful collaborative relationship with Washington. “We are working together on several important initiatives, such as promoting peace and security in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, fostering economic opportunities in the region, and strengthening technological and scientific cooperation,” Brown said in an exclusive interview with VOA.
However, there was no public mention of Angola’s poor human rights record during the visit. Rights group Amnesty International has documented numerous cases of excessive and lethal force being used to suppress peaceful demonstrations in the country. Kate Hixon, the advocacy director for Africa at Amnesty International USA, expressed her concerns to VOA, stating, “Not only are peaceful protesters met with lethal force, but the victims’ families are also denied justice. In addition, there have been several repressive laws passed in recent years, including one that makes it illegal to criticize the president.”
This has been a major point of contention for Angolan opposition groups, who feel that President Biden missed a crucial opportunity to address these issues during his visit. “The only concern of Biden’s visit to Angola seems to be the Lobito rail corridor,” said Ernesto Mulato of the opposition UNITA party.
President Biden is scheduled to visit the port city of Lobito on Wednesday, where a new rail line – funded by the United States – has been built to transport raw materials from the interior of Africa to the bustling port. While this project is a significant achievement, opposition parties feel that it does not address the pressing human rights concerns in the country.
In response to these criticisms, Brown reassured VOA that President Biden always raises concerns about human rights in private discussions with his counterparts. “He never shies away from talking about democracy and human rights issues, and this is consistent with his long career in public service,” she stated.
Despite some criticism, President Biden’s visit to Angola marks a significant moment in the country’s history and demonstrates the strong partnership between the United States and Angola. As President Biden and President Lourenco continue to work together to address important issues, there is hope for a brighter future for both nations.
The visit also serves as a reminder of the potential for collaboration and progress between the United States and African nations. With a renewed focus on promoting peace, prosperity, and human rights, this visit sets the tone for future partnerships between the two nations and the African continent as a whole.
As President Biden’s visit comes to an end, it is clear that the bond between the United States and Angola will continue to strengthen and thrive. This visit has laid the foundation for a strong and prosperous relationship, and there is no doubt that the future holds great potential for both nations. Let us look forward to the exciting things that lie ahead as we continue to work towards a better world for all.
