Trump Snubs Tinubu, Invites Five African Leaders to White House
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that the president of the United State of America, Donald Trump, has invited five African countries to discuss commercial opportunities aimed at benefiting American and African citizens, excluding Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu.
OTN News further reports as gathered that a White House official who disclosed this, said that Mr Trump scheduled a discussion with leaders of five African countries including Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal.
OTN News observes from the information gathered that, the discussion, which will be held at the White House on July 9, focused on advancing relationships between the U.S. and Africa especially in terms of commercial opportunities.
“President Trump believes that African countries offer incredible commercial opportunities which benefit both the American people and our African partners,” the official stated.
OTN News further observes that, the reason for exclusion of Nigeria under the leadership of Tinubu remained unclear, as Trump had not publicly engaged the African most populous country for any commercial opportunities since he was inaugurated in January.
However, OTN News recalls that Tinubu in April received a State Department representative from Trump’s administration, Senior Advisor for Africa, in Paris, Massad Boulos.
According to multiple reports, their meeting focused on developing a strategic economic and security partnership between Nigeria, Africa and the United States, which was anchored on mutual respect, prosperity and regional stability.
Meanwhile, Trump recently discontinued U.S. foreign aid for Africa as part of his administration’s plan to curb wasteful spending not in tandem with Mr Trump’s “America First” policies.
In June, the U.S. president also unveiled plans to place a general visa ban on 36 additional African countries including Nigeria, stating that affected countries must meet new requirements laid down by the State Department within 60 days.
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