AFRIPOL.ORG IDEAS HAVE CONSEQUENCES
President Bush: The second coming to Africa 02/18/08
This commentary and analysis comes from Emeka Chiakwelu, the founding director
and Principal policy strategist, Afripol Organization.
“Currently, 15 percent of U.S. oil imports come from Africa—as much as from the Middle East—and the continent is poised to double its output over the coming decade. It has become the focus of attention from countries like China, which now imports more oil from Angola than from Saudi Arabia. In addition, Africa is rising in importance in trade, international security, democracy promotion, and efforts to tackle worldwide concerns about global health and poverty.”
- Council on Foreign Relations
"In terms of natural resources, Africa is the world's richest continent. It has 50 percent of the world's gold, most of the world's diamonds and chromium, 90 percent of the cobalt, 40 percent of the world's potential hydroelectric power, 65 percent of the manganese, millions of acres of untilled farmland as well as other natural resources.”
- Dr. Walter Williams of George Mason University
President George Bush is visiting the resource-rich Africa on official visits to Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana and Liberia. This will be the second time he is returning to Africa. The Western media is treating the announcement for the trip as safari tour and the continuation of the fight for exotic diseases including HIV/AIDS, ebola and malaria. To say the least, this is not the whole story, something great is happening in Africa. During the 2000 presidential campaign in United States for the White House, President Bush was asked the place of Africa in his foreign policy agenda if he is fortunate to win the presidential election. His words: “Africa does not fit into America’s strategic interests. ” By this he acknowledged that Africa is there in the scheme of things but short of the vital strategic significance of Asia, Europe, China, Russia, India and other places they deemed important. But events and reality drive foreign policy. The perception was that the era of Cold War was over and Africa has been secured. They believed that its resources are safe for powering industries and nourishing insatiable appetite of the West. But the emergence of China and India on the scene are complicating things in the global economy. The purported old assumptions that Africa is dark and miserable can no longer be sustained because Africa has inevitably become a force to reckon with. China needs oil and natural resources to feed his rapidly bourgeoning economy and population. No doubt, Africa has become important to everybody.
The average citizen of the world may not understand why Africa is the destination of President Bush for the second time because Western media and intelligentsia are used to disparaging remarks on Africa due to their cultivated ignorance rooted on mixture of guilt and prejudice.
Scrambling for oil
Oil is the engine of development, the supply is never enough especially the reliable and safe one. With all the troubles in the Middle East, African oil appears to be the safest at this point in time and the supply of African oil is more secured when compared to Middle East and Russia. Africa’s oil proximity to the American market makes its very favorable. The ebony light crude coming from Nigeria is more accessible, easier to explore and refine. The media will not tell the public that almost 15% of America oil consumption comes from Africa and it is expected to rise up to 25-30% in near future. This makes Africa a strategic important to the West.
China growing ties with Africa
A sophomoric global analyst will not call what is happening in Africa a child’s play. Something big is happening. The Chinese are coming and they are bearing alms not arms. The Chinese are moving into African economy ferociously, they are investing in the oil fields, consumer industries, rails and infrastructures. Chinese are handing loans to Africa without the stringent criteria of structural adjustment programs. In near future, China will surpass World Bank as the lending institution to Africa. Chinese government held a summit with African leaders last year in China, almost all the African leaders show up and this surpassed African Union record of African leaders attending meeting on African soil. The West will not sit by and allow China to encroach
into Africa so much that its interest become threatened. However the West must be sincere and shed their old ways and become a reliable friend of Africa, an amity rooted on mutual benefits.
Africom
American government have set-up Africom - a military command for Africa, which is to secure peace and goodwill in Africa. Many African countries are skeptical of America’s real intention, fearing that Africom can become a tool to punish America’s foes in the region in the name of fighting terrorism. The unexpressed fear is that it could be used to control and manipulate internal policies and status quo of African nations. America have to work succinctly to assiduously ally their fears and show to them the benefits of Africom. This must be done with goodwill and civility while respecting African territorial integrity . Peace and tranquility are good for business for all the parties concerned which can be achieved through dialogue and understanding. To this end, American diplomats in Africa have to embark on thorough enlightenment campaign.
On this trip, the American leader have to assure his counterparts in Africa, that Africom will be responsible, accountable and cannot be a tool for naked aggression. Rather, that it will be used to secure peace and tranquility on African political landscape.
Fighting malaria and Aids
Credit must be given to the administration of President George Bush, he was a leader in the fight against global diseases, he invested more money more than that of President Bill Clinton. Although, Bush administration was criticized for inadequate funding, he has shown a lot of leadership. Coming to Africa this time will enable him to see how far those programs are working and knows if it needed to be amended if deem necessary.
Promising and enduring friendship
This is a significant trip to a part of the world America has a long relationship but vaguely acknowledged. While some experiences with the West were not rosy especially slavery, colonialism and support of some dictators in Africa during cold war. America did some good things in Africa - the support of the end of Apartheid in South Africa, investing in health and education, and promotion of democracy, accountability, and good governance. This trip will enable President Bush to acknowledge the past and shine light on a more healthy, progressive and equitable friendship. The reward of this trip can be the beginning of something great for America and Africa.