Biden apologizes to African leaders for the ‘unimaginable cruelty’ of slavery, offers them $55billion

By Daily Mail

President Joe Biden told dozens of African leaders gathered in Washington that the United States is ‘all in on Africa’s future,’ in a speech at the D.C. Convention Center on Wednesday

Joe Biden on Wednesday apologized for the ‘unimaginable cruelty’ of slavery, which he referred to as America’s ‘original sin’, and pledged $55 billion in investment to the continent.

Speaking during a gathering of almost all African leaders in Washington DC – the first since Barack Obama convened a summit in 2014 – Biden expressed regret for the past, but insisted: ‘The United States is all in on Africa’s future.’

During a White House dinner honoring African leaders and their spouses, Biden addressed what he called America’s ‘original sin’ – the enslavement of millions of people – and honored their descendants and the broader African diaspora community in the United States.

‘Our people lie at the heart of the deep and profound connection that forever binds Africa and the United States together,’ he said.

‘We remember the stolen men and women and children were brought to our shores in chains, subjected to unimaginable cruelty.’

President Joe Biden told dozens of African leaders gathered in Washington that the United States is ‘all in on Africa’s future,’ in a speech at the D.C. Convention Center on Wednesday

President Joe Biden told dozens of African leaders gathered in Washington that the United States is ‘all in on Africa’s future,’ in a speech at the D.C. Convention Center on Wednesday

The White House announced that $55 billion was being directed to Africa in the areas of health, climate change, trade and women’s initiatives – but the money was met with scorn by some.

Paul Kagame, the president of Rwanda, was asked earlier on Wednesday whether the 2014 summit yielded concrete results.

‘Well, at least we had a good meeting,’ he replied, to laughter from those assembled.

Biden’s outreach attempt was seen by many as a way of limiting the power of China, which has invested more in Africa than any other nation.

Beijing has held its own high-level meetings with African leaders every three years for over two decades.

Chinese trade with Africa is about four times that of the United States, and Beijing has become an important creditor by offering cheaper loans – often with opaque terms and collateral requirements – than Western lenders.

But, despite Biden’s overtures, many African leaders rejected the idea that they need to choose between the United States and China.

‘The fact that both countries have different levels of relations with African countries makes them equally important for Africa’s development,’ said Taye Atske Selassie Amde, Ethiopia’s U.N. ambassador.

‘However, it should be known each African country has the agency to determine their respective relationship and best interest.’

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