President Biden's recent trip to Angola, initially delayed by Middle Eastern conflicts and devastating hurricanes, finally took place amidst a backdrop of other significant news events. The visit, his first to Africa as president, was marked by heavy rainfall that nearly disrupted the presidential motorcade's journey to the National Slavery Museum of Angola, where Biden delivered a speech acknowledging the role of colonial powers in the transatlantic slave trade.

The President's visit coincided with breaking news about his son Hunter's pardon, a high-profile murder in Manhattan, political upheaval among key U.S. allies, and the ongoing developments surrounding former President Trump's cabinet selections. Despite these distractions, Biden delivered his address, emphasizing the importance of confronting historical injustices and highlighting Angola's strategic importance as Africa's population continues to grow.

Biden announced $1 billion in humanitarian aid for Africa to address displacement caused by extreme weather and droughts. He also met with Angolan President João Lourenco to discuss the Lobito Corridor project, a $4 billion U.S.-backed initiative aimed at facilitating the transport of critical minerals and agricultural products through an Angolan port. This initiative has been seen by some as an attempt to counter China's growing influence in Africa.

Discussions of an expanded U.S. military presence in Angola, potentially to counter Russian influence, were anticipated but did not materialize. However, the looming question of how President-elect Trump will approach U.S.-Africa relations, given his past remarks and lack of engagement with the continent during his first term, remained a significant undercurrent throughout the visit. While the Angolan president expressed willingness to work with any U.S. administration, former Trump Africa envoy J. Peter Pham suggested that a Trump administration might scrutinize existing U.S. investments in Africa.

Biden's visit concluded with an inspection of the Lobito rail hub. During a roundtable discussion, the president was observed resting his eyes, drawing comparisons to his past commutes as a senator. Despite this, many Angolans viewed his visit, dubbed his "global finale," positively. The true measure of success, however, will be whether these initiatives benefit the broader Angolan population beyond the wealthy elite.