Back in December, President Biden welcomed 49 heads of states from across Africa to Washington, D.C. to expand the U.S.’s relationships in the region. Major summit outcomes ranged from a commitment of $55 billion to advance shared priorities and formal support for the African Union (AU) to become a permanent member of the G20. Despite the event's apparent success, some critics question whether there will be enough accountability for leaders in the US and across Africa for lasting success on these promises and their implementation.

Coming to provide an insider analysis of the situation is Elizabeth Shackelford, a former career diplomat with experiences in Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan, and D.C. Through this discussion, the IOP's International Policy Program - a student-led event committee - will explore what the summit symbolized and what it foreshadows for the future of US foreign policy in the region.