US First Lady Jill Biden arrived in Namibia on Wednesday at the start of a five-day tour of Africa that will see her also visiting Kenya.
Biden was received by her Namibian counterpart Monica Geingos at Windhoek’s Hosea Kotako International Airport on Wednesday afternoon.
She later went on a tour of Heroes’ Acre in Windhoek accompanied by Geingos before holding a closed-door meeting with President Hage Geingob and Geingos.
In a statement ahead of the visit, the US first lady said she was using the trip to strengthen ties between Washington and Windhoek on education, health and empowering youth and women.
Analysts say the US’s renewed focus on Africa is an attempt to counter Chinese and Russian influence.
The visit comes as China and Russia are participating in tripartite naval drills in the Indian Ocean with Namibia’s neighbour South Africa, which are running from February 17-27.
Biden is on her first official trip to Africa as first lady during which she is expected to also visit Kenya.
JN/APA