JOHANNESBURG—The influence of the United States in Africa, a continent that’s grown in geopolitical importance in recent years, declined during President Joe Biden’s term in office, say analysts and former U.S. government officials.
Under Biden, the United States lost diplomatic and military presence in key regions; did not make significant advances in countering China’s growing footprint in Africa; lost ground to Russia; and was unable to secure adequate and reliable supplies of minerals critical to U.S. national security.
The administration also failed to address chronic staff shortages at U.S. embassies; surrendered the information space to Chinese and Russian propagandists who spread anti-American messaging across the continent; and took limited action against jihadist groups that have vowed to attack U.S. infrastructure and citizens….