U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Frank Garcia will travel to Nigeria, Mali and Côte d’Ivoire this week on his first official visit to Africa since taking office, as Washington seeks to deepen security and economic engagement across West Africa and rebuild relations with the Alliance of Sahelian States (AoSS).
The U.S. State Department said Garcia’s July 13–17 trip aims to advance American security, economic and diplomatic interests while strengthening partnerships with key countries in the region.
The visit comes as the administration of President Donald Trump moves to improve relations with the Alliance of Sahelian States, comprising Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, following years of strained ties after military takeovers and the withdrawal of the three countries from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Ahead of the tour, Garcia held what the State Department described as a productive call with Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop to discuss shared interests in the Sahel. Earlier this month, Garcia and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau also met the AoSS ambassadors in Washington, reaffirming U.S. support for cooperation based on respect for sovereignty and mutual interests.
In Nigeria, Garcia is expected to discuss security cooperation and the next phase of the U.S.-Nigeria military partnership, including efforts to combat Islamist insurgencies in the country’s northeast. The visit follows recent Nigerian military operations against Islamic State-linked militants, which U.S. officials have cited as evidence of growing counterterrorism cooperation.
Garcia will also visit Côte d’Ivoire, where Washington has been exploring expanded security cooperation after losing access to its drone base in neighboring Niger following the 2023 military coup. U.S. and Ivorian officials have held discussions on strengthening defense collaboration, including the possible deployment of U.S. air assets.
Beyond security, the trip is expected to focus on expanding trade, investment and diplomatic engagement as Washington seeks to reinforce its presence in a region where Russia and other international actors have increased their influence.
The visit coincides with a United Nations Security Council briefing on West Africa and the Sahel scheduled for July 14, during which Leonardo Santos Simão, head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), is expected to update member states on the region’s evolving political and security landscape.
Garcia’s visit marks his inaugural trip to Africa as Assistant Secretary of State and signals renewed U.S. efforts to strengthen partnerships in a region facing persistent security threats, political transitions and growing geopolitical competition.
