US first lady Jill Biden visits Namibia on Africa tour

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) - US first lady Jill Biden on Wednesday arrived in Namibia, beginning her five-day visit to Africa to strengthen US partnership on the continent.

“Dr. Biden’s engagements will focus on the empowerment of women and youth, efforts to address food insecurity, and promoting our shared democratic values,” the US Embassy in Namibia said in a statement.

The visit follows the US-Africa Leaders' Summit held in the US late last year, where Biden hosted a two-day spousal program, according to the statement.

Biden will also travel to Kenya which she previously visited twice. The first lady has visited the continent six times, but this is her first visit to Namibia.

“I’m honored to host @FLOTUS, Dr Jill Biden, on her first visit to Namibia. This visit strengthens the friendship we built during the US-Africa Summit and provides us with an opportunity to join our voices in the upliftment of issues that we both care about,’’ Namibia’s first lady Monica Geingos said on Twitter.