Washington, DC —
Three days before an assembly of African heads-of-state and government
that begins this weekend in Addis Ababa, the White House sent a letter
from President Trump expressing "best wishes for a successful Summit."
The letter, a copy
of which was obtained by AllAfrica, comes at a sensitive moment in
U.S.-African relations, following reported comments by Trump referring
to "shithole" countries in Africa. Trump has denied using that language.
"The United States
profoundly respects the partnerships and values we share with the
African Union, member states, and citizens across continent," Trump says
in the letter dated January 25, "I want to underscore that the United
States deeply respects the people of Africa. and my commitment to strong
and respectful relationships with Africa states as sovereign nations is
firm."
In his letter,
which has not been published on the White House web site., Trump offers a
"salute" to the leadership of Chairperson Moussa Faki and congratulated
Rwanda President Paul Kagame on his assumption of the chair of the AU
Assembly.
Trump and Kagame
met at World Economic Forum in Davos on Friday to discuss "the
partnership between the United States and African nations on economic
growth and improved security," according to a White House statement.
In his letter, Trump said Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will travel to Africa on an "extended visit in March."
Full Text of President Trump's Letter to African Union Leaders
I offer my
deepest compliments as you gather in Addis Ababa for the 30th African
Union Summit. I salute the leadership of Chairperson Moussa Faki in
working to transform the Union into an increasingly effective
institution to advance economic prosperity, strengthen peace and
security and deliver positive outcomes for Africa and the broader
international community.
I congratulate
His Excellency Paul Kagame on his succession as Chairman of the
Assembly and thank His Excellency Alpha Conde for his service.
The United
States profoundly respects the partnerships and values we share with the
African Union, member states, and citizens across continent. I want to
underscore that the United States deeply respects the people of Africa.
and my commitment to strong and respectful relationships with Africa
states as sovereign nations is firm. Our soldiers are fighting side by
side to defeat terrorists and build secure communities. We are
working together to increase free, fair and reciprocal trade between the
United States and African countries, and partnering to improve
transportation security and safeguard legal immigration.
The challenges
and opportunities this summit will address - advancing trade and
development, resolving armed conflicts. and combatting corruption, among
many others - are critical to the future of the African continent.
and you can rely upon America's partnership and support for the African
Union's leadership on these issues.
In the coming
year. I look forward to building on relationships established during the
African Leaders' Lunch during the United Nation's General Assembly, the
Africa Ministerial in Washington, and engagements of Ambassador Nikki
Haley, Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan and my Ambassadors
throughout the continent. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will travel
to Africa for an extended visit in March, and I look forward to
welcoming many of you to the White House.
Please accept my greetings, highest regards, and best wishes for a successful Summit.
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