President Joe Biden has canceled his highly anticipated visit to Africa, just two weeks after the White House announced the trip.
The decision comes as the U.S. grapples with the ongoing devastation caused by Hurricane Milton.
According to the White House, the cancellation is due to Biden’s need to oversee preparations and response efforts for Hurricane Milton, which is projected to intensify in the coming days.
This follows the administration’s continued response to the impacts of Hurricane Helene, which recently battered the southeastern U.S.
besides postponing his Africa visit, Biden has also called off his scheduled trip to Germany.
“Given the projected trajectory and strength of Hurricane Milton, the President is postponing his trip to Germany and Angola to oversee preparations for and the response to the storm, as well as ongoing efforts related to Hurricane Helene,” said Karine Jean Pierre, the White House Press Secretary.
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Biden’s planned visit to Angola was set to reinforce the country’s growing importance as a U.S. ally, particularly in the global push for electric vehicle development.
The announcement of his visit had already witnessed a surge in investments in Angola, seen as a key strategic partner for the U.S. in Southern Africa.
Biden stepped aside from the November election in favor of Vice President Kamala Harris, and had been scheduled to spend time in Luanda from October 13 to October 15, 2024.
His visit was viewed as a rubberstamp in cementing the U.S.-Africa relations.
Biden had long pledged to visit Africa during his presidency but had faced criticism for not following through.
A May report by CBS noted that the President had expressed plans to visit the continent in early 2024, should he secure re-election.
But with hardly a month left to the U.S election, it remains too be seen if Biden will fix time in his diary to tour world’s second populous continent.
