During a visit to Angola, President Biden emphasized the United States’ commitment to building a stronger partnership with Africa, acknowledging the complex and often painful historical context between the two during his remarks.
Speaking at the National Museum of Slavery near Luanda, the capital of Angola, Biden referenced the history of the slave trade and the “original sin” of America in enslaving Africans. He stated, “While history can be concealed, it cannot and should not be erased. It must be confronted. We have a duty to acknowledge our past, including its good, bad, and ugly aspects. This is what great nations do.”
During his Angola visit, Biden announces $1 billion in U.S. aid for drought relief in African countries
Biden highlighted that historians estimate a “significant number” of enslaved individuals who arrived in America were from Angola, and he was accompanied by three descendants of the first enslaved Africans in the U.S. “We gather in this solemn place to reflect on the journey of our two nations and our friendship, requiring us to remember how it all began,” he said.
This visit marked Biden’s first trip to sub-Saharan Africa as president, fulfilling a promise he made in late 2022. His trip to Angola holds both symbolic significance—being the first visit to Africa by a sitting U.S. president since Obama—and strategic importance as the U.S. seeks to enhance investments and partnerships with African nations in response to the growing influence of Russia and China.
During his address, Biden highlighted his administration’s initiatives to collaborate with Africa, noting over $40 billion in government investments and $52 billion in business agreements between U.S. and African companies in sectors like solar energy, telecommunications, and infrastructure.
Additionally, he announced $1 billion in U.S. assistance aimed at supporting African countries grappling with severe drought conditions. “The key question in 2024 is not what the United States can do for Africa, but what we can achieve together for the people of Africa,” Biden stated.
As he prepares to leave office in January, this trip may be Biden’s final international journey as president. His time in Angola has been somewhat overshadowed by his announcement on Sunday before leaving Washington, where he revealed he would grant a complete and unconditional pardon to his son, Hunter Biden.
During his meetings with Angolan leaders, reporters repeatedly asked Biden about the pardon, but he did not address the issue. At the conclusion of his speech, Biden humorously remarked, “As you know, I’m in the final weeks of my presidency. You don’t have to clap for that, but you can if you wish. While I’m uncertain about what lies ahead, I believe the future runs through Angola and Africa.”
