JOHANNESBURG: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken landed in South Africa to kick off a three-nation visit aimed at countering Russian influence on continent.

Visit came after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov undertook an extensive tour of Africa late last month.

South Africa, a leader in developing world has remained neutral in Ukraine war, refusing to join Western calls to condemn Moscow, which had opposed apartheid before end of white minority rule in 1994.

Blinken will hold talks with South African counterpart Naledi Pandor and also make an announcement on US government’s new Africa strategy, Pretoria said in a statement.

They will “discuss ongoing and recent developments relating to global geopolitical situation,” it said. His visit to DR Congo is aimed at boosting support for sub-Saharan Africa’s biggest country which battling to turn page on decades of conflict.

He winds up tour in Rwanda, which has seen a flare-up in tensions with DR Congo after it accused its neighbour to east of backing M23 rebels, a charge Kigali denies.–Agencies