World News: OnPolitics: The US-Africa Leaders Summit is underway. What we know and why it matters

Wednesday, December 14

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, center left, meet with Angolan President Joao Lourenco during the U.S. Africa Leaders Summit 2022, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022 in Washington. (Evelyn Hockstein/Pool via AP)

OnPolitics: Biden to speak at US-Africa Leaders Summit

The three-day Africa Leaders' Summit kicked off yesterday with heads of state and representatives from 49 countries.

Happy Wednesday, OnPolitics readers!

African leaders will meet with President Joe Biden today as the White House tries to draw the continent away from China and Russia – which have gained increasing footing in the region, USA TODAY's Joey Garrison and Rebecca Morin report.

The three-day Africa Leaders' Summit kicked off yesterday with heads of state and representatives from 49 countries. Topping U.S. commitments, Biden will pledge $55 billion in financial aid, according to the White House.

Why is the summit significant? Throughout his tenure, Biden has tried to repair relations with many world leaders following former President Donald Trump's "America First" foreign policy agenda.

🌍 Want to learn more? Joey and Rebecca break it down here.

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🏛️ The House committee investigating the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, will meet Monday to vote on potential recommendations to the Justice Department to prosecute suspects for their roles. In the meantime, catch up on what we learned in all nine congressional hearings about the Capitol attack here.

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