Afro-US Relations: Addressing the Balance

President Barack Obama has paid two visits to a select few African countries since his he took up office in the White House. Following the eloquent speech he made in Ghana, Africans hoped and expected that he would make a dent in the socio-economic history of the young continent during his term in office.

When heads of African nations, bar a few unwelcome guests, received a president’s invitation two weeks ago, all showed up promptly in Washington DC. Such eagerness was perhaps a sign of their belief that such a summit could bear fruits unlike any other meeting they had attended before. They did not pander over the details of protocol.

President Obama arranged cordial receptions for the leaders after promising financial support under the pretext of consolidating trade and investment relations.

Meanwhile, over a thousand demonstrators from a number of African countries, including Ethiopians, were raising their voices in protest against their respective leaders just across the street. They were trying to persuade President Obama to use his leverage, as President of one of the richest and most powerful countries in the world, to take appropriate action.

But he was not moved one inch. His main concern was steadfast at business and trade relations between the US and Africa.

As far as Ethiopia is concerned, the relationship with the US has a long history, which goes back over a century. During the monarchy, Ethiopia was buying armaments, including fighter planes and tag boats, from the US.

The Ethiopian army was fighting alongside US forces in Korea and the latter’s engagement in helping to support the Alemaya University through training scholars became another area of cooperation. This is in addition to the altruistic contributions to help our country.

We cannot forget the late Texan Congressman, Mikee Leland, who lost his life in a helicopter crash while on duty helping refugees from neighbouring Sudan, exactly 25 years ago.

Afro-US economic relations cannot be seen apart from the global situation. Until recently, the notable relations were North-South, following the ex-colonial base.

Prices of goods and commodities were decided by the North. The South was engaged in supplying the North with raw or semi-processed resources, the price of which was continually decreasing.

Of late, however, this relationship is being supplemented by the BRIC countries – Brazil, Russia, India and China. Goods are sold to Africa at a cheaper price. This results in the growing of strength of these countries, which is a concern to President Obama, who is doing his best to consolidate the US economy that is still reluctantly emerging from recession.

He concentrates on the growing of small enterprises, which could employ an increasing number of jobseekers. He wants to make new investments wherever it is viable to do so. His way seems to particularly favour the textile industry, unaware of the fact that imports of second-hand garments are killing it. For a president with such an intention, there seems to be no better place than Africa at this point in time.

China, and other growing countries, have started deepening their roots in Africa. One may call it “scrambling for market”. Africa, on the other hand, can benefit from the competition. It can sell its exports to those who pay better and buy its imports from those giving better prices and suitable terms of trade.

But Africans should not embark on projects simply because they get loans or grants. They have to make comparative studies and intelligent decisions. Unfortunately, most of the leaders do not know their own respective countries and their own people, never mind their resources.

The sub-regional organisations, like the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS), Southern African Development Community (SADEC) and even the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), are fundamental instruments under the African Union Commission with the ability to implement the goals and aspirations of Africa. Regional projects, like railways, electricity lines and telecommunications networks, are essential for realising the goals enshrined in the charter.

Even if Africa can trade with the west, Africa’s future lies within itself. One has to ask why Europe opted for establishing the European Union.

At present, the price of goods and commodities in all the member countries are, surprisingly, the same. The same is true for their buying prices.

A united Africa can boost its own bargaining power in the global market. Africans should be aware of the plays of others, so that they do not stand to miss out.

The other problem faced by the western world today is migration. Yong Africans are fleeing their countries and trying to cross borders, moving to the western world – the pretext being either economic or political. The western world wants to contain these migrants in their own respective countries.

One way of doing this is to invest in these countries. The US policy with regards to containing migrants in their country seems to be just that.

The other solution seems to be political, in that the African leaders should try to create a conducive situation for the African youth to stay in their own countries. Billions of US dollars are signed in these protocols, but the youth keeps on leaving, even to America


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