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Reuters
Reuters
Politics

Jill Biden arrives in Namibia on Africa tour

U.S. first lady Jill Biden watches a dance performance as she arrives during the first leg of her African visit, at the Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek, in Namibia, February 22, 2023. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

U.S. first lady Jill Biden has arrived in Namibia on the first stop on a five-day Africa tour, part of a push by the United States to strengthen its ties on the continent.

Biden landed at the airport in Namibia's capital Windhoek on Wednesday afternoon before heading to Heroes' Acre, a war memorial, with the first lady of Namibia.

Her trip will focus on education, health and empowering youth and women, she said in a statement on social media. After Namibia she will go to Kenya where she will hear from those affected by drought and food insecurity, she said.

U.S. first lady Jill Biden waves as she disembarks from the airplane during the first leg of her African visit, at the Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek, in Namibia, February 22, 2023. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

The Biden administration is planning a slew of high-level visits to Africa this year in an effort to counter the influence of China and Russia on the continent.

South Africa is currently hosting a joint naval exercise with Russia and China, a move the country says is routine but which has alarmed the United States and other Western partners.

It is Jill Biden's first trip to Africa as first lady.

U.S. first lady Jill Biden walks as she is welcomed on her arrival during the first leg of her African visit, at the Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek, in Namibia, February 22, 2023. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

(Reporting by Siphiwe Sibeko; Additional reporting and writing by Nellie Peyton; Editing by Alexander Winning and Alison Williams)

People dressed in traditional costumes perform on the day U.S. first lady Jill Biden arrives for the first leg of her African visit, at the Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek, in Namibia, February 22, 2023. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
An airplane carrying U.S. first lady Jill Biden is seen on a runway during the first leg of her African visit in the capital Windhoek, in Namibia, February 22, 2023. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
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