(Daily Mail) Joe Biden on Wednesday apologized for the ‘unimaginable cruelty’ of slavery, which he referred to as America’s ‘original sin’, and pledged $55 billion in investment to the continent.
Speaking during a gathering of almost all African leaders in Washington DC – the first since Barack Obama convened a summit in 2014 – Biden expressed regret for the past, but insisted: ‘The United States is all in on Africa’s future.’
During a White House dinner honoring African leaders and their spouses, Biden addressed what he called America’s ‘original sin’ – the enslavement of millions of people – and honored their descendants and the broader African diaspora community in the United States.
Our people lie at the heart of the deep and profound connection that forever binds Africa and the United States together,’ he said.
‘We remember the stolen men and women and children were brought to our shores in chains, subjected to unimaginable cruelty.’
President Joe Biden told dozens of African leaders gathered in Washington that the United States is ‘all in on Africa’s future,’ in a speech at the D.C. Convention Center on Wednesday
Biden is seen on Wednesday evening addressing the gala and dinner
Jill Biden is seen in animated conversation with guests on Wednesday night
Gladys Knight performs for African leaders at the US-Africa summit in Washington DC on Wednesday night
Biden sat in the front row as Knight entertained the crowd on Wednesday
Biden and his wife Jill applaud enthusiastically after Knight’s performance
Singer Gladys Knight later serenaded Biden and the visiting leaders with a performance in the White House State Dining Room.
The White House announced that $55 billion was being directed to Africa in the areas of health, climate change, trade and women’s initiatives – but the money was met with scorn by some.
‘Well, at least we had a good meeting,’ he replied, to laughter from those assembled.
Biden’s outreach attempt was seen by many as a way of limiting the power of China, which has invested more in Africa than any other nation.
Beijing has held its own high-level meetings with African leaders every three years for over two decades.
Chinese trade with Africa is about four times that of the United States, and Beijing has become an important creditor by offering cheaper loans – often with opaque terms and collateral requirements – than Western lenders.
But, despite Biden’s overtures, many African leaders rejected the idea that they need to choose between the United States and China.
‘The fact that both countries have different levels of relations with African countries makes them equally important for Africa’s development,’ said Taye Atske Selassie Amde, Ethiopia’s U.N. ambassador.
‘However, it should be known each African country has the agency to determine their respective relationship and best interest.’
Paul Kagame, the president of Rwanda, is seen on Wednesday speaking in DC. He laughed when asked if the 2014 US-Africa summit had yielded results
Kagame is seen with Barack Obama in 2015 at a peacekeeping summit at the United Nations
After his remarks at the summit, Biden viewed some of the World Cup semifinal match between Morocco – the first African nation to reach the semifinals – and France with Morocco’s prime minister, Aziz Akhannouch.
France won the match 2-0.
Before the dinner, Biden met leaders from Gabon, Liberia and others facing 2023 elections, for a discussion on elections and democratic principles.
‘Africa’s economic transition depends on good government, healthy populations, and reliable and affordable energy,’ he told the summit.
‘These things business seeks out when they’re looking to invest. They attract new opportunities, and they launch new partnerships.
‘And the United States is committed to supporting every aspect of Africa’s inclusive growth and creating the best possible environment for sustained commercial engagement between Africa companies and American companies.’
Thursday is to be dedicated to high-level discussions among leaders; Biden will open the day with a session on partnering with the African Union’s strategic vision for the continent.
Jill Biden hosted a program for spouses Wednesday morning at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, where she told the crowd ‘my hope is that the way we make each other feel will last beyond this summit.’
The summit is the largest international gathering in Washington since before the start of the pandemic.
Biden and Macky Sall, the president of Senegal, offer toasts in the White House on Wednesday
The White House rolled out the red carpet for Africa’s leaders, six years after the last such summit
Biden is seen speaking to the assembled African leaders as Senegal’s president listens
Biden is seen raising a glass to the assembled African leaders
President Joe Biden watched Morocco’s heartbreaking exit from the World Cup with the country’s Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch on Wednesday, after addressing African leaders
