It is important to highlight the importance of international relations in the current global context. During the recent visit of US President Joe Biden to Angola, a new page was opened in the history of relations between the two nations. The warm welcome extended by Angolan President João Lourenço to his American counterpart is a testament to the importance of this historic meeting.
At the heart of the discussions between the two leaders was the crucial Lobito Corridor project, which aims to connect Zambia, Congo and Angola through a major railway renovation. This initiative, supported by a significant financial commitment from the United States, aims to facilitate the transport of raw materials in Africa and their export to other regions of the world.
The announcement of this American investment comes in a geopolitical context where competition between major powers for influence in Africa is increasingly palpable. As China deepens its presence on the African continent through massive investments in mining and technology, the United States is looking to solidify its historic relationships with African nations.
The Sino-American rivalry took an unexpected turn with China’s announcement that it would ban exports to the United States of key technological materials such as gallium, germanium, and antimony. The move, which came on the heels of the expansion of the list of Chinese technology companies subject to U.S. controls, underscores the complexity of the economic and political issues at play on the international stage.
The Lobito Corridor renovation is not just an economic project; it also has deep historical and cultural dimensions. President Biden, visiting the National Slavery Museum in Angola, is scheduled to deliver a commemorative speech on the history of slavery and reaffirm America’s commitment to a future of mutual partnership and prosperity.
As observers of these events, we are witnessing a new stage in the relations between the United States and Angola, marked by economic, political and cultural issues of great importance. It is crucial to closely monitor the evolution of these relations and to seize the opportunities for cooperation and dialogue for a more prosperous and harmonious common future.