U.S. Secretary of State arrives in South Africa at start of African tour

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived Sunday in South Africa at the start of an African tour that will take him to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda to try to respond to the increase of Russian influence on the continent.

This visit comes shortly after the African tour of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who visited Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia and Uganda in July, while African countries such as Mali host Russian military instructors — mercenaries of the Wagner group, according to the United States — after rejecting the military presence of countries such as France or Germany in their fight against jihadism.

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, South Africa, a major developing nation, has taken a neutral stance in the conflict, and has always refused to join international sanctions.

On Monday, Blinken will meet with South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor and announce a new U.S. government strategy for Africa. The talks “will address recent and ongoing developments with respect to the global geopolitical situation,” according to the Foreign Ministry statement carried by News24.