By Mona Austin
White House Photo: First Lady of Nambia greets the First lady of the United Stes, Dr. Jill Biden on te tarmac in Nambia on Febriary 22, 2023.
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden started a five-day visit to the Horn of Africa in Nambia today becoming the first White House official in the Biden Administration to vist the continent. Her time will be divided between Namibia and Kenya as she meets leaders to focus on food insecurity and women's empowerment. She was welcomed by Monica Geingos, Namibia’s first lady and a line of dancers clad in bright pink and black and drummers. Her grand-daughter Naomi is joining her on the trip.
Her warm up to engaigng in African diplomacy started before the trip. FLOTUS Biden hosted the first ladies of various African countries for a lunch at the Smithsonian Museum of African American history and Cultire during the Africa Summit in DC last December. The wives were also her guest at the REACH program held during the summit at the Kennedy Center for Performing Artswhich was designed to advance shared priorities with the spouses of African leaders.
The U.S. is positioned to forge deeper ties with Africa with its interest in the population growth on the continent as some African nations take station on the global power grid. The White House said the visit will also show the U.S is keeping its commitments to helping sub-Saharan countries in need. Kenya, a strong U.S. security partner in the region, has been impacted by a food insecurity and a drought crisis.
Per the White House. . .
“Dr. Biden's trip builds on last year's U.S.- Africa Leaders summit and as another demonstration of President Biden's commitment that the United States is all-in on Africa and all-in with Africa,” in apreview of the trip Judd Devermont, senior director for African Affairs at the National Security Council said.
“The U.S. strategy toward sub-Saharan Africa, which we released last August, starts with the conviction that Africa is critical to advancing our shared global priorities,” Devermont added. “We believe that we are in the early years of a decisive decade which will determine the rules of the road on a host of vital issues from trade and economics, cybersecurity and technology.”
So far Mrs. biden ahs paid her respect by placing a wreath the Neroes Arcre in Nambia. To follow the rest of her activities view the schedule below:
Africa Trip Schedule from the Office of the First Lady WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2023 Arrival in Windhoek, Namibia In the afternoon, First Lady Jill Biden will arrive at Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek, Namibia and greet First Lady of Namibia Monica Geingos. The First Lady will be welcomed by Namibian cultural performances. The First Lady will be greeted by: • Ambassador Leonard Iipumbu, Chief of Protocol of the Republic of Namibia • Madam Monica Geingos, First Lady of the Republic ofNamibia • The Honorable Randy Barry, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Namibia • The Honorable Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Deputy Prime Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of Namibia • Jessica Long, Deputy Chief of Mission at U.S. Embassy Namibia • The Honorable Christine Hoebes II, Minister of Presidential Affairs of the Republic of Namibia • Madam Ambassador Margaret Mensah-Williams, Namibian Ambassador to the United States of America • Ambassador Grace Uushona, Executive Director, Office of the President • Madam Governor Laura MacLeod-Katjirua, Governor, Khomas Regional Council • Ms. Kayla Elago, Daughter of the First Lady of Namibia Visit to Heroes' Acre First Lady Jill Biden and First Lady Monica Geingos will visit Heroes' Acre, an official war memorial of the Republic of Namibia, to participate in a wreath laying in front of the eternal flame to honor the heroes of Namibia’s independence. The First Lady will be greeted by: • Madam Monica Geingos, First Lady of the Republic of Namibia • Ms. Kayla Elago, Daughter of the First Lady of Namibia • Helena Neugola, Site Manager, Heroes’ Acre Monument About Heroes’ Acres Heroes’ Acre is a national symbol of the Namibian War of Independence and an official war memorial cemetery of Namibia. The memorial was inaugurated on August 26, 2002, or Heroes’ Day, which marks the Namibian War of Independence beginning on August 26, 1966. It is open to visitors of the public, and is under the administration of the Namibia’s National Heritage Council. Namibia’s Heroes’ Acre was built to foster a spirit of patriotism and nationalism, and to pass on the legacy of independence to the future generations of Namibia. The Heroes’ Acre monument site centers on the tombs for 174 Namibian national heroes, whose names and pictures are engraved in black marble; some tombs are still vacant providing space for future heroes. Arrival Ceremony with the President of Namibia Hage Geingob and First Lady Monica Geingos The First Lady will participate in an arrival ceremony and meet with the President of Namibia Hage Geingob and First Lady Monica Geingos at the State House. This arrival ceremony will be open press and the meeting will be closed press. Meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah The First Lady will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to strengthen the United States’ partnership with Namibia, and advance our shared priorities in the region. This meeting will be closed press.