Hommam Al Nassim 
The State Department has requested $322 million to “support its efforts to counter the influence of China and the Russian Federation” on the African continent.
According to Russia’s Interfax news agency, the ministry requested, according to the presidential budget for fiscal year 2025, more than $320 million “to support African countries and create a counterweight there to the influence of China and Russia.”
The State Department said in a statement posted on its website that the money was requested “to support the outcomes of the African-American Leaders Summit, including commitments to build more stable and inclusive African economies,” and said it was working to “revitalize democracies, protect human rights, and combat the influence of China and Russia (…) on the continent.”
The request follows a tour by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken of several African capitals in January, including Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Angola, countries whose importance ranges from wealth, influence, and strategic location.
With French influence on the continent fading and the Russian and Chinese presence, the United States is seeking to expand its presence on the continent through armaments agendas and military and security cooperation.
In addition, the State Department requested $2.9 billion to “renew and strengthen U.S. leadership in multilateral diplomacy,” including funds earmarked for contributions to the United Nations, UNESCO, and NATO.
The request from the U.S. presidential administration will be referred to Congress for consideration and possible amendments.
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