Antony Blinken kicks off Africa tour to counter Russian influence

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives at Lanseria International Airport in Johannesburg on August 7, 2022. PHOTO | AFP

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken landed in South Africa on Sunday, kicking off a three-nation African visit as Washington scales up diplomacy to counter Russian influence on the continent.

His visit comes after an extensive tour of Africa by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov late last month.