In public, Trump has decried the state of the nation as "a disaster" and "a mess." But at their private meeting, Trump praised him, Biden said. "He was very complimentary about some of the economic things I had done. And he talked about − he thought I was leaving with a good record."

The United States offered to extend its signature African investment project into the troubled east of the Democratic Republic of Congo as an incentive for a peace deal, but Rwanda has backed away, a senior US diplomat said.

President Biden is leaving office after a single term that many Americans regard as unsuccessful. But it could be viewed more favorably over time.

Africa's resources fuel global rivalry as the African Union must lead in safeguarding sovereignty and development