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Top US diplomat visits Nigeria, meets with Ribadu, other officials
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

Top US diplomat visits Nigeria, meets with Ribadu, other officials

From Premium Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The new U.S. Africa envoy, Frank Garcia, made his first official trip to Nigeria, meeting with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and other officials.
  • Discussions focused on progress under the U.S.-Nigeria Joint Working Group and the U.S. commitment to holding perpetrators of violence against Christians accountable.
  • The visit underscores the strategic partnership between the U.S. and Nigeria, aiming to expand trade, strengthen security, and build shared prosperity.

Nigeria welcomed the new U.S. Africa envoy, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Frank Garcia, on his inaugural official trip to the country. This visit marks Garcia's first foray into West Africa, with Nigeria serving as the initial stop before he proceeds to Côte d’Ivoire and Mali.

During his stay, Mr. Garcia met with Nigeria's National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. Their discussions centered on the advancements made within the framework of the U.S.-Nigeria Joint Working Group, established earlier in the year. The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria conveyed that the United States is prepared to utilize "every tool available to hold ISIS and perpetrators of violence against Christians accountable."

Nigeria is a strategic partner across numerous sectors, and the United States is committed to deepening our bilateral relationship – expanding trade, strengthening security, and building shared prosperity.

— U.S. Embassy in NigeriaThe U.S. mission described the meetings as productive and proof of U.S. commitment to deepening bilateral relations with Nigeria.

Further engagements included meetings with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, and the Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani. The U.S. mission characterized these meetings as "productive," emphasizing the United States' dedication to strengthening bilateral relations. "Nigeria is a strategic partner across numerous sectors, and the United States is committed to deepening our bilateral relationship – expanding trade, strengthening security, and building shared prosperity," the embassy stated.

Mr. Garcia's trip is the latest in a series of high-level visits between U.S. and Nigerian officials over the past ten months. These interactions have included visits by Under Secretary of State Allison Hooker to discuss Christian community protection and counterterrorism, and by Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing Jonathan Burke. A Congressional delegation also met with NSA Ribadu last year, followed by a Nigerian delegation's visit to the U.S. led by Ribadu himself.

available to hold ISIS and perpetrators of violence against Christians accountable.

— U.S. Embassy in NigeriaThe embassy stated the U.S. is willing to use every tool to hold perpetrators of violence against Christians accountable.
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Originally published by Premium Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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