Opening Africa Trip, Blinken Warns Of Threats To Democracy
Zeeshan Mehtab Published November 17, 2021 | 01:19 PM
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Wednesday for Africans to be on guard against rising threats to democracy as he began a visit to the continent in key ally Kenya
Nairobi, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Nov, 2021 ) :US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Wednesday for Africans to be on guard against rising threats to democracy as he began a visit to the continent in key ally Kenya.
Before a scheduled meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta, Blinken held talks with civil society leaders and asked for ideas on how to stop the "bad actors" who test democratic institutions.
"We have seen over the last decade or so what some call a democratic recession," he said in a meeting that included rights advocates, an election observer and a union leader.
"Even vibrant democracies like Kenya experience pressure, especially around election time," Blinken said.
"We have seen the same challenges here than we see in many parts of the world -- misinformation, political violence, voter intimidation, voter bribery." Blinken is focusing his trip on promoting democracy and action on climate change and supporting African efforts to fight Covid-19.
But the three-nation tour is also expected to focus on efforts to resolve crises on the continent, especially a spiralling war in Ethiopia.
Echoing frequent themes of President Joe Biden's administration, Blinken warned of threats against the free press and of corruption, which he said "chips away" at democracy.
Blinken acknowledged that threats to democracy also existed in the United States, where a mob loyal to former president Donald Trump attacked the US Capitol on January 6 in a bid to overturn the election result.
"The United States is hardly immune from this challenge," Blinken said. "We've seen how fragile our own democracy can be."The Biden administration has embraced Kenya, one of the most longstanding allies of the United States in Africa, and Biden invited Kenyatta as his first African leader to the White House.
Kenya's last election in 2017 was marred by deadly violence, although Kenyatta and his former opponent Raila Odinga have since made peace, raising hopes for the conduct of the 2022 election.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results - 1st update
Swiatek's perfect 10 in Stuttgart as Vondrousova stuns Sabalenka
Arandu's roads closed due to flooding
Oil tanker catches fire in Islamabad’s Blue Area
Pakistan committed to ensure safety of foreign nationals: FO
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results - 1st update
Four passengers injured as train hit an empty vehicle
Over- speeding bus crushed to death two bike riders
Turkey's Freedom Flotilla ready to set sail for Gaza
French teen dies from heart failure after knife attack near school
Iranians appear unfazed by Isfahan blasts
UAF celebrates Int'l Chinese Language Day
More Stories From Sports
-
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results - 1st update
9 hours ago -
Swiatek's perfect 10 in Stuttgart as Vondrousova stuns Sabalenka
9 hours ago -
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results - 1st update
9 hours ago -
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results
11 hours ago -
Inaugurate of fitness gym at Ayum Stadium on 25th April
11 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results
11 hours ago
-
Women’s One-Day tournament: Multan beat Rawalpindi, Quetta beat Peshawar, Lahore beat Karachi
11 hours ago -
Argentinian Etcheverry sees off Norrie to head into Barcelona Open semis
13 hours ago -
Pakistan all set to face New Zealand tomorrow
14 hours ago -
Duplantis to unleash 'inner' pole vault contest as Olympics beckon
14 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results
14 hours ago -
'All-or-nothing' Norris takes sprint pole in rain chaos at Chinese GP
15 hours ago