China, Russia are 'destabilizing' Africa, warns United States

Democratic Republic of the Congo President Felix Tshisekedi speaks during the Conservation, Climate Adaptation, and Just Energy Transition Forum during the US-Africa Leaders Summit at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC on December 13, 2022. AFP - EVELYN HOCKSTEIN

The United States warned Tuesday that China and Russia were destabilizing Africa with their growing inroads as it rolled out the red carpet to the continent's leaders and pledged billions of dollars in support.

Forty-nine African leaders flew into the Washington cold for the first continent-wide summit with the United States in eight years as President Joe Biden seeks to use personal diplomacy to win back influence.