Luanda - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Thursday praised the efforts that have been undertaken by Angolan President João Lourenço towards peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Speaking to the press as part of his 24-hour visit to Angola, Antony Blinken considered essential the Angolan president's efforts to achieve peace in the east of the DRC and to encourage dialogue between Rwanda and the DRC.
Antony Blinken said he considers it a major initiative to pacify the Great Lakes Region, which includes Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, the DRC and parts of Tanzania and Kenya marked by tense conflicts.
President João Lourenço has played a decisive role as a mediator in bringing the authorities in Kinshasa and Kigali closer together with the aim of pacifying the conflict in the east of the DRC.
Investments in Angola
As regard to cooperation between Angola and the US, Antony Blinken highlighted the investments in the Lobito Corridor adding that this is a genuine partnership to transform the potential of Angola and the region for the whole world.
Mr. Blinken underscored that this partnership will stimulate investment in critical areas and strengthen supply chains that are essential for the future of other countries, opening doors for Angola and neighboring countries to foreign markets.
According to Antony Blinken, the importance of the Lobito Corridor lies in the fact that it unites the DRC, Zambia and Angola.
The US Secretary of State said the railway is the largest US investment on the African continent and highlights the essence of the partnership with Angola and the region.
Antony Blinken also highlighted the investment in the renewable energy sector, aimed at providing electricity to half a million families and creating local jobs.
Mr. Blinken said the US will help build steel bridges that will help unite families in rural areas, increasing access to banking services for small entrepreneurs and farmers to improve the food supply chain.
Regarding the African tour, he said that it aims to build a joint future of prosperity between the US and Africa.
The US Secretary of State highlighted that African voices are changing this century, leading on issues of great importance to our peoples, specifically those related to climate change and food security.
He recalled that in November 2023, at the White House, US President Joe Biden reaffirmed, during a meeting with President João Lourenço, that the partnership between the two countries is stronger and more comprehensive.
On the occasion, the two countries established a sustainable partnership in key sectors such as agriculture, trade, telecommunications, renewable energies, oil refining, space exploration and defense and security.
The US pledged to invest 250 million Us dollars in the Lobito Corridor to help accomplish the project of mass movement of goods between Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia.
They also promised to invest in the renewable energy sector, with a package worth 900 million US dollars. FMA/VC/TED/AMP
