The United States is working to help contain the Ebola outbreak in Africa, President Obama wrote in an op-ed Tuesday ahead of his address to the U.S.-Africa Summit.
“Today, we’re working urgently with nations in West Africa and global health organizations to help treat those infected with Ebola and to contain the outbreak. Here at home, we’re taking the necessary precautions to protect Americans,” Obama wrote, in his op-ed focused on the need for the U.S. to “support Africa’s progress.”
The deadly Ebola outbreak has been in the background of the ongoing, three-day U.S.-Africa Summit.
“Our thoughts are with the leaders of Liberia and Sierra Leon, who could not be here today because they had to stay home to deal with the Ebola outbreak and we wish them well,” Former President Bill Clinton said Tuesday morning in advance of a summit panel on “Expanding Opportunities: The New Era For Business In Africa.”
In his op-ed Tuesday morning, Obama stressed a need to home in on three areas to promote shared progress with Africa, including promoting American exports to Africa, the promotion of democracy and “security partnerships” to combat terrorist groups “including terrorist groups like Boko Haram, which still holds more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls hostage.”
“A new Africa is emerging,” Obama wrote.
“This week I’m making it clear that they will find no better friend than the United States, because Africa’s success will mean greater security and prosperity for all our nations for decades to come,” he continued.
Reuters reported Tuesday morning that a White House official said that Obama is planning to announce $14 billion in U.S. investments in Africa.
“These investments will deepen U.S. economic engagement in Africa, fueling growth that will support broader African prosperity and emerging markets for US businesses, which will support jobs in both the United States and Africa,” Reuters quoted the official.