Ramaphosa to visit US President Biden to strengthen ties

2nd September 2022 By: Sane Dhlamini - Creamer Media Senior Contributing Editor and Researcher

Ramaphosa to visit US President Biden to strengthen ties

President Cyril Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa will visit the US President Joe Biden on September 16 to discuss opportunities to deepen cooperation between both countries on trade and investment, infrastructure, climate and energy, and health. 

The visit is a follow-up on a call between the two leaders in April and following the US-South Africa Strategic Dialogue in August.

Ramaphosa and Biden will discuss ways to address regional and global challenges.

Meanwhile, United States Marine Corps General Michael Langley made his first trip to Africa as US Africa Commander.

He visited Djibouti, Somalia and Kenya and met with country leaders, senior State Department and defence officials and deployed troops to understand the political and military situation in East Africa, discuss shared concerns and priorities, and see ongoing operations.

"The United States supports the Somali government and its people. We are committed to working together to advance our mutual prosperity for our countries. I appreciate Somalia's efforts in the fight against Al-Shabaab and look forward to continued partnership between our two militaries," he said following his meeting with Somalian President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

In Djibouti, Langley met with leaders to discuss missions out of Camp Lemonnier.

He also met with President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahamoud Ali Youssouf where they discussed strengthening US–Djiboutian relations.

Finally, in Kenya, Langley met with the US Ambassador, senior defence leaders stationed at the US Embassy, and leaders from the base to assess security and force protection measures.