The below is attributable to Spokesperson Jessica Jennings:
On the second day of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, Administrator Samantha Power held bilateral meetings, attended the U.S.-Africa Business Forum lunch and the President’s remarks at the U.S.-Africa Business Forum, and then joined President Biden at the White House for a meeting on elections with six African heads of State.
Administrator Power met with Senegal President and AU Chairperson Macky Sall and discussed how the AU, Senegal, and the United States can strengthen cooperation in addressing growing food security in Africa, exacerbated by rising food and fertilizer prices resulting from Putin's war of aggression in Ukraine. Administrator Power and President Sall agreed on the importance of strengthening Senegal’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts to avoid future outbreaks. Administrator Power commended the Sall Administration and the Senegal National Malaria Control Program on its ambitious goal to eliminate malaria by 2030 and applauded the Ministry of Education towards foundational learning reform to include bilingual education.
Administrator Power then met with Niger President Mohamed Bazoum and discussed the importance of education – particularly for girls and young women – to develop human capital, promote economic growth, and support voluntary family planning programs and maternal health. Administrator Power and President Bazoum exchanged views on approaches to addressing the causes of conflict and violent extremism. Administrator Power commended President Bazoum on Niger’s community-based focus on conflict resolution and reintegration, and expressed the importance of NGOs and civil society and their contributions to enduring peace and stability.
Administrator Power closed out the day joining President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a meeting with President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon, President George Manneh Weah of Liberia, President Andry Nirina Rajoelina of Madagascar, President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, and President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone to discuss their countries’ upcoming elections in 2023 at this critical time for democracy globally.
Together, the leaders discussed the challenges of holding elections and exercising the right to vote, including foreign interference and political violence, and shared best practices for how to manage these risks and ensure transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.