partnership

America’s elite universities are already deeply enmeshed with top schools abroad, from engineering partnerships with the Indian Institute of Technology to the Persian Gulf campuses of Georgetown, Texas A&M and NYU.

"This is now an opportunity for us to rethink how our food banks across the borough work together in partnership," he said.

Asked if the US was only interested in benefiting economically from Africa and not its welfare, Boulos said "our job is to promote the US interests and promote our strategic partnerships".

These included a swimming programme delivered in partnership with leisure operator GLL, the council's community boxing initiative and its mental health support event, held as part of last year's World Suicide Prevention Day, he said.

Despite promises by Capt Traoré's military government to improve security and even seeking new security partnerships with Russia, the situation remains dire with frequent attacks from insurgents.