US Vice Pesident Kamala Harris visits Africa to counter China’s influence

US Vice President, Kamala Harris started on Saturday a week-long trip to three African nations, Washington's latest attempt at counterbalancing the growing influence of Russia and China.

Harris will visit Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia.

Harris will be in Ghana from March 26 to 29, and then in Tanzania from March 29 to 31. Her final stop is Zambia, where she will be from March 31 to April 1. She will meet the three countries’ presidents and plans to announce public and private sector investments.

Harris will discuss China’s engagement in technology and economic issues in Africa that concern the US, as well as China’s involvement in debt restructuring, senior US officials said.

The geopolitical power struggle between Washington and Beijing has been playing out largely in China’s favor for the past two decades, especially in Africa.

The decline of Washington's influence has been evident for some time but have been highlighted in recent months as President Joe Biden has promoted an “America is back” narrative, intended to signal a US return to the international arena and institutions that his predecessor had eschewed.

America’s focus on increasing its influence in Africa has raised concerns in Africa, since Washington does not have a good track record in the continent, even when it comes to delivering on its stated claims of fighting terrorism.

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