South African leader hopeful of strong US-Africa ties

By Felix Tih

ANKARA (AA) - The South African president has said he is hopeful of a strong partnership between the US and Africa in promoting international peace and stability.

Cyril Ramaphosa, who is also the chairperson of the African Union, spoke with US President-elect Joe Biden by phone on Tuesday evening, according to a statement.

The statement said Biden "and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris have identified Africa as a major player in international affairs and in the advancement of multilateralism."

Ramaphosa said he looked forward to a strong partnership between the US and Africa.

Biden, 77, defeated incumbent Donald Trump earlier this month, making him the first former vice president to win the Oval Office since George H.W. Bush, who won in 1988 after eight years under Ronald Reagan.

African leaders have welcomed Biden's electoral victory, expressing hope that his win will boost trade and other relations between the continent and the US.

Experts say Trump ignored Africa for much of his rule, occasionally blasting its leaders. They hope Biden could adopt policies that would restore cooperative links that prevailed under the Obama administration.