Biden Visits Angola, Pledges Over $1 Billion in U.S. Assistance for Africa – One America News Network
OAN Staff Brooke Mallory
4:10 PM – Tuesday, December 3, 2024
During his visit to Angola on Tuesday, President Joe Biden reportedly became more aware of the intricate and troubled history between the two continents, reaffirming that the United States is committed to cultivating a new, robust partnership with Africa.
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Speaking at Angola’s National Museum of Slavery on the outskirts of Luanda, the capital, Biden addressed the legacy of the slave trade and America’s “original sin” of enslaving Africans.
“I’ve come to understand that while history can be concealed, it cannot and must not be obliterated. We must confront it. It’s our responsibility to acknowledge our past—both the positive and the negative. The entire truth is what distinguishes great nations,” said Biden.
Biden highlighted that a “significant number of all enslaved individuals” who arrived in America were from Angola. During the ceremony, he was joined by three individuals he identified as direct descendants of some of the first Africans who were enslaved in America.
“We are gathered in a place of significance. To truly reflect on the journey our two nations have undertaken and our friendship, we must remember our origins,” Biden noted.
The president commended his administration’s efforts to engage with Africa, mentioning that over $40 billion in government investments have been allocated thus far, along with $52 billion in business agreements between American and African companies focusing on sectors like infrastructure, telecommunications, and solar energy.
During his visit, Biden also committed an additional $1 billion in U.S. aid for African nations facing drought and humanitarian crises, even as many U.S. victims of Hurricane Helene are still uncertain about when they will receive additional federal support, especially as taxpayers.
“Today, President Joseph R. Biden announced that the United States is offering over $1 billion in supplementary humanitarian assistance to address food insecurity and other urgent needs of refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and affected communities across 31 African nations. This funding, unveiled during President Biden’s visit to Angola, encompasses nearly $823 million through USAID—over $202 million of which comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Credit Corporation—and nearly $186 million from the U.S. Department of State,” stated USAID.
Biden commenced his address after stepping on stage, which was shielded by a bulletproof glass enclosure.
Angola has been characterized as a center for gang activity and a “destination for human trafficking, targeting both local and foreign individuals. Victims include all genders and age groups from neighboring countries, as well as from Asian and Latin American nations. They face exploitation in various forms, including forced labor in construction, agriculture, and diamond mining, as well as prostitution in massage parlors,” according to the Global Organized Crime Index.
“In 2024, the pertinent question is not what the United States can do for Africa, but rather what we can accomplish together for the people of Africa,” Biden stated further.
As he prepares to conclude his presidency in January, this trip might mark Biden’s final international visit as president.
While engaging with Angolan officials, reporters also inquired about his decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, but the president opted not to respond. Biden has repeatedly insisted that he would never pardon his son and that “no one is above the law.”
“As you know, I’m in the final weeks of my presidency. You don’t have to applaud for that. You can if you wish,” Biden remarked at the conclusion of his speech. “And while I cannot predict the future, I am certain that it runs through Angola. Through Africa.”
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