BY ADDISALEM MULAT
Most African countries count on United States foreign aids in furtherance of speeding up urbanization, strengthening social programs, improving defense capabilities, supporting economic growth, strengthening democracy, creating prosperity, and things of that sort.
Among other aspects, the United States of America is one of the biggest aid donors all around the world, and generally known for lending its hand to get to the bottom of African problems in the shortest possible time.
Speaking of which, under the leadership of Clinton, the US-Africa relations had reached a new climax. Apart from that, during the Bush and Obama administrations, Africa managed to establish a good rapport with the United States of America stronger than ever. In the light of the foregoing, Africa was attaining the desired goal on numerous occasions.
However, under the leadership of Donald Trump, trade relations between the United States of America and Africa went on waning at an alarming rate every once in a while. Sad as it may sound, as the president was not that interested in the continent of Africa, the region proved to be less of a priority for the United States of America.
In a similar manner, as the continent of Africa was one of Trump’s favorite punching bags, he kept on giving the cold shoulder and turning a blind eye to African affairs on innumerable occasions.
The African Affairs reported that in December 2018 the Trump Administration announced a new Africa strategy. The briefing examines US President Donald Trump’s personal views on Africa which reveal his lack of interest in the continent other than for its commercial potential.
His Administration’s approach to Africa, which actually demonstrates a good deal of continuity with previous US policy under presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama; and examines the new strategy, which is firmly embedded in the context of Trump’s wider ‘America First’ foreign policy and the United States’ strategic global rivalry with China and Russia.
Dejectedly, as sub-Saharan Africa assumes the world’s paramount HIV infection percentage, Trump’s funding cuts was felt in the region more than anywhere in the world. Apart from putting into danger once, Trump was digging a hole and backing the continent of Africa into a corner.
On the flip side, as time went by, China and Russia got underway playing a significant role economically and politically in the continent of Africa more than ever before eclipsing the United States’ well-established relations in the region. On top of that Donald Trump’s heedlessness opened the door for India, Turkey, Russia, and China as fast as possible targeting at accelerating diplomacy, trade, and investment in the region within a very short time.
Much in the same way, a considerable amount of the continent of Africa’s infrastructure is under the guidance of quite a lot of Chinese companies. It goes without saying that they have been playing an important role in building roads, ports, roads, and airports all over Africa. On the basis thereof, China is increasing its presence in the continent more essential than ever.
Notwithstanding the fact that the Trump administration sporadically kept on putting into words dishonorable and pessimistic repercussions of Chinese engagement in the continent of Africa, the envisioned target has not been achieved as far as this.
According to Mail Guardian, the US is playing catch-up in its trade rivalry with China in Africa. While President Trump’s mission is to make America great, his administration has largely lingered detached from one of the world’s fastest developing regions.
Trump’s travel ban rejected authorized access to nationals of a diverse range of Muslim preponderance countries comprising quite a lot of African countries. It is no hyperbole to say a number of messes took place in Africa on his watch on the grounds that he was persistently turning the continent on its head. He is a naysayer towards Africa.
As learned from The Citizen, “By and large, US policies towards Africa will likely be driven by a relatively narrow geopolitical gaze. This views the continent as a source of insecurity and a site for humanitarian assistance. Combined with the scale of domestic problems arising from the COVID-19 Pandemic and the perceived imperative to contain China, Africa will likely elicit only occasional strategic interest.”
Nowadays, following Joe Biden’s victory, Africa expects a lot from his administration in connection with Africa policy. Africans do need quite a lot of things to be corrected within a short period of time.
On his first day in office, President Joe Biden set in motion repealing immigration restriction. Reasoning from this fact, most countries in Africa such as Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Libya, Eritrea, Egypt, and Nigeria have been feeling on top of the world.
Much in the same way, Joe Biden has made a vow with the purpose of revoking a government policy known as gag rule. On a related note, the rule effectively blocks the United States of America funding for foreign aid organizations.
Be that as it may, in a message Joe Biden delivered to African leaders in a virtual meeting said, “The United States stands ready now to be your partner in solidarity, support, and mutual respect. We believe in the nation of Africa,”
He went on to say, “To reach this future, we must also confront the serious challenges we face. That includes investing more in global health— defeating COVID-19 and working to prevent, detect, and respond to future public health crises, and partnering with the Africa CDC and other institutions to advance health security,”
He elucidated that a future committed to investing in our democratic institutions and promoting the human rights of all people — women and girls, LGBTQI individuals, people with disabilities, and people of every ethnic background, religion, and heritage. And though the challenges are great, there is no doubt that our nations, our people, and the African Union are up to this task.
On his part Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission regarding the message said, “Thank you for your good wishes. The African Union looks forward to resetting the strategic AU-USA partnership on the basis of mutual respect and our shared values of international cooperation for a safer, healthier, and a more just world.”
According to VOA, President Biden sought to gesture the need of the United States to reconstruct a robust partnership with the continent, its people, the diaspora, and other AU stakeholders. Apart from that, Biden’s administration is dedicated to “giving a boost to relationships throughout Africa from a position of joint respect as well as partnership.
Likewise, Biden’s moves represent a significant departure from the previous administration, which largely framed its Africa policy within the context of U.S competition with China or as a theater for fighting violent extremism.
It is to be recalled that in January 2018 President Donald Trump was criticized for allegedly using a derogatory term in describing African Nations
The Ethiopian Herald 12 February 2021
