In Senegal, Yellen says US 'all in' on Africa
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Friday touted a new economic strategy by Washington towards Africa, claiming "the United States is all in on Africa, and all in with Africa", on a visit to Senegal. "Our engagement is not transactional, it's not for show, and it's not for the short-term," Yellen said, adding that the US had devised a new strategy towards the continent, seeking "to modernise our relationship by focusing on what we can do together, rather than what we can do for each other". She blamed the war in Ukraine for economic headwinds in Africa. "The single best thing we can do to help the global economy is to end Russia's illegal and unprovoked war in Ukraine", she said. "Russia's war and weaponisation of food has exacerbated food insecurity and caused untold suffering." Within Africa, she highlighted a need for greater accountability and transparency from governments. "Countries need to be wary of shiny deals that may be opaque and ultimately fail to actually benefit the people they were purportedly designed to help in the first place," she commented. "This can leave countries with a legacy of debt, diverted resources, and environmental destruction." Yellen said the US prioritises "transparency, good governance, accountability, and environmental sustainability." She was expected to meet Senegal's Minister of Finance Mamadou Moustapha Ba and President Macky Sall later on Friday. She is scheduled to travel to Lusaka, Zambia on Sunday, and later to South Africa. (AFP)