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Tag: U.S. envoy

  • Economic wars: U.S. envoy meets Tinubu in Paris

    Economic wars: U.S. envoy meets Tinubu in Paris

    The United States has opened discussions with President Bola Tinubu on expanding economic cooperation across Africa as part of efforts to deepen trade, investment, and development ties on the continent.

    This was disclosed following a meeting on Thursday between President Tinubu and U.S. State Department Senior Advisor for Africa, Massad Boulos, in Paris, where the Nigerian leader is currently on a short working visit.

    According to a statement posted Friday on the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, and shared by President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the talks also touched on key security concerns in the region.

    “State Department Senior Advisor for Africa Massad Boulos met with President Tinubu on Thursday to discuss regional security, including working together with partners to build a durable peace in eastern DRC,” the U.S. Mission stated.

    “They also discussed expanding opportunities for economic cooperation throughout Africa,” it added.

    The meeting comes at a time when Nigeria is working to reposition itself as a hub for investment and economic growth on the continent. 

    President Tinubu has consistently called for stronger global partnerships to drive industrialization, job creation, and infrastructure development in Africa.

    Read Also: Abia APC stakeholders unite, vow to deliver state for Tinubu in 2027

    Though specific details of the economic discussions were not disclosed, analysts say the meeting reflects growing American interest in engaging with African leaders on development-focused diplomacy, with Nigeria seen as a critical anchor in West Africa.

    President Tinubu has been in Paris since Wednesday, April 2, undertaking a short working visit aimed at reviewing his administration’s midterm performance and setting strategic priorities for the next phase of his tenure.

    While abroad, the President has remained actively engaged in state matters, and Thursday’s high-level engagement with the U.S. State Department underscores Nigeria’s central role in regional affairs and global economic conversations.

    Tinubu is expected to return to the country shortly, with public attention focused on the outcome of his consultations and the anticipated direction of new policies in the coming months.

  • U.S. envoy arrives in Beirut seeking Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal

    U.S. envoy arrives in Beirut seeking Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal

    U.S. Middle East mediator Amos Hochstein arrived in Beirut on Tuesday in an effort to finalise a ceasefire agreement that would end the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah.

    A government source and state media reported that the U.S. envoy arrived at the residence of House Speaker Nabih Berri, who is representing Hezbollah in the negotiations.

    For weeks, details of an alleged U.S. ceasefire proposal have been circulating in the media.

    According to Lebanese security sources, Israel and Hezbollah are to initially suspend their hostilities for 60 days.

    During this period, the Israeli military is to withdraw from Lebanon and Lebanese armed forces are to be deployed along the border.

    After 60 days, Israel and Lebanon are expected to hold negotiations on the full implementation of UN Resolution 1701.

    Hezbollah reportedly regards the U.S. draft as a basis for further negotiations.

    Since September, Israel’s military has massively expanded its attacks in Lebanon, where it said it is seeking to push back Hezbollah from its northern border so that residents can return to their homes.

    Fighter planes have bombed targets across the country and frequently in the suburbs south of Beirut.

    The Hezbollah militia, which launched its attacks on Israel in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on October 8, has been firing on Israel in turn.

    Read Also: Israel-Hezbollah: Lebanese FA postpones all matches 

    The Lebanese caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati told Qatar’s Al Arabi TV on Monday that his country views the U.S. ceasefire proposal positively, though certain points required further clarification and analysis.

    Israel began its military campaign in Gaza to eliminate Hamas following the unprecedented Oct. 7 attacks by militants on southern Israel.

    Around 60,000 people in northern Israel have fled their homes due to the shelling. Since the start of the war, 77 people have been killed there and more than 640 injured.

    In Lebanon, more than 3,000 people have died as a result of Israeli airstrikes and shelling.

    (dpa/NAN)