The State Department is organizing a “U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit” in Washington, D.C.
ROSE BREWER, rosebrewer001@gmail.
NETFA FREEMAN, netfa@ips-dc.org, @
Brewer is a distinguished teaching professor at the department of African American and African Studies, University of Minnesota and a member of the Black Alliance for Peace’s Africa team. Freeman is coordinating committee member for the group and also works at the Institute for Policy Studies.
The Black Alliance for Peace “has launched an anti-imperialist week of actions in Washington to raise public awareness about the cynical intentions of the summit.” BAP is highlighting an ongoing campaign — the U.S Out of Africa Network — “to shut down the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).”
BAP challenges the Biden administration’s claim that the summit will “demonstrate the United States’ enduring commitment to Africa, and will underscore the importance of U.S.-Africa relations and increased cooperation on shared global priorities.” It highlights the U.S. drone war in Somalia and the 2011 NATO attack on Libya. In addition, BAP criticized the Black Congressional Caucus for failing to address such issues.
The group also said that contrary to Biden administration protestations, it is in fact motivated by trying to curtail increased Chinese and Russian influence in Africa.
BAP’s actions throughout the week will include protests and rallies, starting on December 13 with a noon forum, “Africa Anti-Imperialist Summit: Voices from the Ground.” Then a press conference will be held at 2 p.m. on December 16. Both events mentioned will take place at the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) at 1301 Connecticut Avenue, 6th Floor, Washington, D.C.
