Out in Africa? Tillerson trip leaves hosts nonplussed

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

WORLD NEWS MARCH 13, 2018 / 2:39 PM / UPDATED 24 MINUTES AGO

Out in Africa? Tillerson trip leaves hosts nonplussed

Ed Cropley
4 MIN READ

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - From the outset, Rex Tillerson’s first trip to Africa looked half-hearted and token, but with the hindsight knowledge that the U.S. Secretary of State was fired just two days in, it’s his African hosts who must be wondering why they bothered.

Beyond $533 million in humanitarian aid and some pat remarks about security and not getting too cosy with China, Tillerson’s main aim appeared to be clearing up the mess left by President Donald Trump’s reported dismissal of some African nations as“shithole countries”. Trump later denied making the comment.

But the revelation from a senior White House official that Trump told Tillerson he was out of a job just two days into the six-day jaunt leaves little room for doubt about the Trump White House’s attitude towards the continent.

Given its increasing reliance for aid and trade on China, its main commercial partner, and a recent diplomatic push led by Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, the slight is likely to have real consequences for Washington’s status on the continent of a billion people.

“This shows Trump’s disdain - a real own-goal, especially with Lavrov hot on his heels,” said Jackie Cilliers, head of the South Africa-based Institute for Security Studies.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-africa/out-in-africa-tillerson-trip-leaves-hosts-nonplussed-idUSKCN1GP2MC

[riversedge]

1. I have read that Tilly's Africa gig was an apology tour (doubt if that was sanctioned

by trumpy)