Thread by @W7VOA

"We made significant tangible progress across every one of our priorities this week," says @SecBlinken at conclusion of #USAfricaLeadersSummit.

America will not dictate Africa's choices but will work relentlessly to expand their choices of partnerships, says @SecBlinken.

Additional $1.1 billion to be invested by the US for rising leaders and youth in #Africa, notes @SecBlinken.

In response to several #Africa security questions from @shauntandon, @SecBlinken says: "We're looking to Rwanda to use its influence with M23."

On #Ethiopia deal to end conflict: "We need to make sure it's implemented...as quickly and effectively as possible" and for #Eritrea forces to withdraw from #Tigray, says @SecBlinken.

"Wagner Group (of #Russia) came up in a number of conversations" this week during #USAfricaLeadersSummit2022, notes @SecBlinken. "They violate human rights. We've heard that and seen that again and again."

Wherever we've seen Wagner deployed, those countries find themselves weaker, poorer and less secure, adds @SecBlinken.

Connectivity "is the one missing piece" in #Africa, says @SecBlinken regarding on delivering what people need. "We can deliver if we do it together."

"To the extent anyone else (i.e. #China) is engaged we want to make sure it's a race to the top, not a race to the bottom," adds @SecBlinken. "This is about choices Africans will make."

#Ghana, #Kenya and other past victims of imperialism in #Africa see what #Russia is doing in #Ukraine "and it cuts to the core for them," according to @SecBlinken, speaking to reporters at the conclusion of #USAfricaLeadersSummit2022.

Unsustainable debt burdens in #Africa a tremendous challenge and devastating from a humanitarian standpoint, says @SecBlinken.