US in new approach to Africa
Rise in Beijing’s influence a factor in engagement
US secretary of state Antony Blinken’s visits to three African countries this week is another sign of the Joe Biden administration’s Us-africa policy of re-engaging with the continent.
This was first unveiled in visits to Nigeria, Kenya and Senegal at the end of last year. This time he has been visiting South Africa, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). These are welcome visits following the previous administration’s disengagement with Africa and less than flattering comments about African countries.
Blinken’s first trip to Africa last year outlined the US’S need to build a 21st century partnership with the continent. This is key to maintaining the US’S strategic geo-political and economic influence in Africa against the backdrop of increased competition between advanced and emerging countries.
The Biden administration’s re-engagement policy is also informed by other considerations such as China’s rising influence. Some media reports have suggested that Blinken’s trip is aimed at countering China and Russia’s footprint in Africa, in particular Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov’s recent visit.
But it is difficult to claim that Blinken’s visit is singularly informed by the Russia-ukraine conflict. After all, Blinken’s first visit took place before the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Blinken is launching the US strategy for sub-saharan Africa. This is anchored on engaging Africa in promoting an open and stable international system in security, exchange and trade. It will also tackle the effects of climate change, food security, global pandemics and shape technological and economic futures.
In a speech at the University of Pretoria, Blinken reiterated – as he did in Nigeria in November last year – that he wanted to treat African countries as equal partners.
He focused on four priorities that he believed the US and Africa could tackle together.
The first was “to foster openness”, which would require the free flow of ideas and information, respect for international law, territorial integrity and national sovereignty. Blinken said “the US will not dictate Africa’s choices, neither should anyone else. The right to make those choices belongs to Africans.”
The idea of an equal partnership could be pursued through areas of common interest: global health, the climate crisis, inclusive economic growth, democracy, peace and security. Blinken said that the US strategy was founded on sub-saharan Africa’s capacity as a geopolitical force. For him the equal partnership is informed by Africa’s diversity, agency and focuses on “what we will do with African nations and peoples, not for African nations and peoples”.
The second priority was partnering with Africa to fulfil the promise of democracy.
He referenced Afro-barometer surveys that show Africans are largely against authoritarianism. And he acknowledged that delivering on democracy dividends – and the threat to democracy – was not just an African problem, but a global challenge.
However, the US would work with Africa to promote more inclusive and resilient processes and communities, citizen participation and the peaceful transition of power. These would be subjects of an African leaders summit in December.
The third priority is working with Africa to recover from the economic devastation wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic and laying the foundation for economic opportunities for people.
Blinken spelt out the ways in which the US will “be there for African countries”. These included rallying rich countries and key institutions to support debt relief, supporting the African Union’s Green Recovery Action Plan, climate finance, humanitarian and food relief, investment in agriculture, vaccine self-sufficiency and sharing vaccine technology.
The US is also supporting African-led initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area and the AU Agenda 2063. It pledged to raise over $200-billion to invest in infrastructure.
The fourth priority area is leading with Africa on clean energy transition, reducing emissions and restoring ecosystems. It would help save the planet, adapt to the effects of climate change and provide power for economic growth. He reiterated the US will invest in expanded energy access and meet developmental targets towards a just energy transition; helping communities to choose “conservation over deforestation”.
Whatever equal partnership means in this case, it looks as though the key take-away was a carefully considered business agreement couched as friendship. In the past, the US’S partnerships with Africa have been informed and characterised by power relations in which the US dictated the terms.
The rise in Beijing’s influence on the continent is a factor in the US redifining and resetting its relations with Africa. But Washington still has a long way to go. It must overcome growing anti-west sentiment on the continent given the development alternative that China offers.
Washington must overcome growing antiwest sentiment on continent
Isike is professor and director, African Centre for the Study of the US, at the University of Pretoria and Nyamunda is associate professor at UP