Biden’s Pick For Top Africa Job Twice Failed Foreign Service Officer Test, ‘Couldn’t Get Through the English Grammar Section’

Stephanie Sanders Sullivan: The Little Engine That Could

President Joe Biden’s pick for ambassador to the African Union, Stephanie Sanders Sullivan, may have failed the Foreign Service Officer Test twice, but that didn’t stop her from pursuing her dream. In a recent interview with Ghana’s CitiTV, Sullivan shared her experience of struggling with the English grammar section of the test, which was her forte. Despite leaving a third of the questions blank, she didn’t give up. “There’s a little bit of that ‘Little Engine That Could’: I think I can, I think I can,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan’s appointment is crucial as the United States seeks to strengthen its ties with Africa to counter Chinese influence. The CCP’s Belt and Road initiative has left many developing countries in debt to Beijing, making it imperative for the US to build alliances on the continent. However, Sullivan’s nomination has faced criticism from conservative lawmakers who question her qualifications and past activism. Despite this, the State Department has defended her nomination, stating that her past activism aligns with the Biden administration’s foreign policy goals.

As Sullivan prepares to take on this important role, her determination and resilience serve as an inspiration to us all.