US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has held talks with the presidents of Zambia and Cameroon, the State Department saying centered on “shared goals”.
Rubio’s telephone call with Hakainde Hichilema comes just a day after the Zambian leader met with Donald Trump Jnr, who was on a private vacation in the Southern African country. It also comes days after Washington announced it was skipping the G20 Summit in South Africa.
He also called President Paul Biya to “to congratulate him on his inauguration” 11 days after the 92-year-old was sworn in for an eight term as President. Biya was declared winner of a controversial election 53% of the vote.
Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said, in a statement, that Rubio “commended Cameroon for its role as a partner in the fight against terrorism.”
“The Secretary and the President discussed deepening the partnership between the United States and Cameroon to advance shared goals, including strengthening security as well as achieving regional peace and prosperity for both nations,” said Pigott.
Congratulating Biya on his inauguration for a new term in office means the US has endorsed the outcome of the Cameroon elections Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who lost to Biya, has contested the out come of the vote.
Zambia’s Hichilema took to X to confirmt his conversation with Rubio, saying “we discussed matters that mutually benefit our two countries”.
“We expressed our appreciation for President Donald Trump’s peace efforts and new approach to development partnerships,” he posted on his verified X account.
Pigott said “Secretary Rubio […] reaffirmed President Trump’s commitment to partnering with African countries to advance meaningful action on economic growth, expand US private sector investment, and support our shared economic goals”.
“The Secretary and President Hichilema also discussed new approaches to deliver tangibly on shared priorities, including robust private sector growth and stronger Zambian health systems,” Pigott said in a statement confirming the call but gave no further details.
