National Security Advisor John Bolton today unveiled the Trump administration's Africa strategy designed to counter Chinese influence on the continent and push African nations to show some results from the aid they receive from the United States.
“We have prioritized working on this document because we understand that lasting stability, prosperity, independence and security on the African continent are in the national security interests of the United States,” Bolton said at the Heritage Foundation here.
Every decision made and policy announced on Africa will be guided by the strategy, the national security advisor said. The strategy lasers in on three core U.S. interests: advancing commerce with nations in the region, countering the threat of violent extremism, and ensuring that U.S. aid to Africa is efficient and effective.
Safeguarding economic opportunities on the continent has a national security aspect because of the increasing economic influence of China and Russia. “[China and Russia] are deliberately and aggressively targeting their investments in the region to gain a competitive advantage over the United States,” Bolton said.
He noted that China's direct investment in Africa has totaled $6.4 billion, Bolton said. “Over the past several years, China has devoted considerable…
