As the dust has settled on US elections and Joe Biden has occupied the White House for a four-year term, the obvious question in many African minds is, what does it hold for US- Africa ties? For sure, compared to the Trump regime, it is going to change gears.
The prevailing view among Political observers is that the Trump administration put Africa on a back-burner. He allegedly treated Africa and developing countries with disdain calling “shithole countries”, opposed international trade agreements, including with African nations, and sought to cut U.S. funding for multilateral organizations which was a lifeline for Africa. Under his leadership, the US gravitated more towards the power struggle with China and Russia, slashing the U.S. military presence in Africa.
Contrary to this, President Biden’s perspective of Africa is bound to be entirely different. As Vice-President under Obama, President Biden is well versed with the core African issues. Some of his team members are also similarly proficient in Africa matters. His designated ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who held various ambassadorial positions in African countries, has vast African experience. In spite of this, when it comes to Africa Policy of Biden administration, only a change in tone is expected initially followed by incremental changes in policies.
A reversal of Trump policies such as US withdrawal from WHO, and a cessation of proposed budget cuts to US development programs in Africa will be a big relief for the continent. The US will also be part of the global coronavirus vaccine initiative (COVAX).In the long run, China will continue to be an important prism for US-Africa relations according to experts. A more substantive US engagement in Africa as they try to match the Chinese presence is expected only gradually.
It appears that, when it comes to democracy, the Continent seems to witness an erosion of democratic values in spite of the efforts of the African Union. The restoration of US leadership in the critical area of democracy promotion and multilateral institutions is something that can change the political course of many African countries. During the past weeks, many African nations were in political turmoil. Tanzania and Uganda have held elections that did not meet any standards of a free and fair process. Power struggle and Fights to hold on to power by leaders were seen in Malawi, the Central African Republic, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, and Somalia, and so on. Africa should aspire for an interventionist US administration pushing for democratic ideals and rule of law. Samantha Powers’ nomination to lead USAID is expected to bring back the US to its central role as a supporter of democracy.
Biden administration will be the one to handle the negotiations of a new trade deal with Africa, the Africa Growth opportunities Act (Agoa )expiring in 2025. The process started by the Trump administration by opening a free trade deal negotiation with Kenya, which was to be used as the prototype for securing trade deals with other African countries may be put into cold storage. Instead, an approach similar to Obama’s term of securing mega-regional trade deals may be chosen.
What emerges is that given the scale of challenges that occupy the top agenda of the Biden administration including the pandemic, Africa may not feature prominently in US foreign policy immediately. Within the constrained resources and competing priorities, What Africa can hope for from the new Biden African team would be a better deal in the realms of trade, health, culture, and security.
