During the meeting, held in Brazzaville, Badou was accompanied by Ms. Joy Basu, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs, along with the United States Ambassador to Congo. This visit was part of Ms. Basu’s regional tour across Africa, aimed at fostering constructive discussions centered on Congo’s priorities and building solid cooperation grounded in those priorities.
The discussions primarily concentrated on several strategic areas, including food security, tourism, and human resources. Both parties also reviewed the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a U.S. law enacted in 2000 that grants sub-Saharan African countries preferential access to the U.S. market. AGOA aims to stimulate economic growth, enhance trade relations between the United States and Africa, and support Africa’s integration into the global economy. The importance of American companies operating in Congo collaborating closely with the government on ongoing projects was underscored.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the portfolio of the Under Secretary of State encompasses various critical areas such as diplomacy, trade, investment, strategic competition, food security, climate, energy, democracy, human rights, and multilateral issues.
This meeting represents a significant advancement in the effort to strengthen bilateral relations between the United States and the Republic of Congo, underscoring the importance of consolidating partnerships between the two nations.
AC/Sf/fss/abj/APA