U.S. President Joe Biden has postponed his planned trip to Germany and Angola, dampening the anticipation surrounding what would have been his first visit to Africa since assuming office.

The White House confirmed on Tuesday, following speculation on social media, that President Biden would not be traveling to the two countries as scheduled from October 10 to 15.

“Due to the expected trajectory and intensity of Hurricane Milton, President Biden is postponing his upcoming trip to Germany and Angola to focus on managing preparations and the response to Hurricane Milton, as well as the ongoing efforts addressing the impacts of Hurricane Helene in the southeastern U.S.,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced.

Hurricane Helene, which has ravaged parts of the U.S. over the past ten days, has claimed over 200 lives, with rescue teams still searching for hundreds of missing individuals. North Carolina has borne the brunt of the storm, with over 1,800 fatalities recorded from a previous storm. In total, 780,000 homes have been destroyed, and widespread power outages have left entire towns without electricity.

In addition to the hurricane crisis, President Biden is also confronting escalating tensions in the Middle East, where Israel has launched strikes on southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah militants amid growing fears of broader conflict involving Iran.

Though speculation of a postponed trip had circulated, the Middle East crisis was seen as a key reason for a delay, as world leaders continue to push for a ceasefire in the region. The White House has not announced new dates for Biden’s postponed trip, and with the president opting not to run for a second term, the window for the visit may close.

Biden’s scheduled visit to Angola would have marked his first official trip to Africa, which Angolan officials viewed as a significant diplomatic achievement. The visit was seen as an opportunity for Angola to address domestic issues, particularly in human rights.

The U.S. has identified Angola as a crucial part of the Lobito Corridor, a large-scale infrastructure initiative designed to rival China’s influence in Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia. The White House had framed the trip as an opportunity to bolster economic ties, advance the Lobito Corridor project, promote democracy, and enhance peace and security.

The visit was initially timed to precede Angola’s hosting of the U.S.-Africa Business Summit, slated for next year, where over 1,500 delegates, including world leaders, are expected. This growing U.S. interest in Angola reflects strategic efforts to counter Chinese and Russian influence in the region, as China is Angola’s largest creditor and Russia has historically been a major arms supplier to the country.

Last November, Biden met with Angola’s President João Lourenço at the White House to commemorate 30 years of diplomatic relations. Angolan civil society groups had planned to use Biden’s visit to press for more democratic reforms and greater human rights protections in meetings with President Lourenço, according to political analyst José Gama.