- Though some African political experts are hopeful of a positive shift in US’s Africa policy, under Joe Biden, many believe that only the rhetoric is likely to change and not the substance.
- Biden administration may be more aggressive in its response in terms of sanctions against those regimes in Africa where there are undemocratic elections.
Though some African political experts are hopeful of a positive shift in US’s Africa policy, under Joe Biden, many believe that only the rhetoric is likely to change and not the substance.
Sebastian Spio-Garbrah, head of Da Mina Advisors, a political risk consultancy with offices in New York feels that strengthening trade ties is likely to take a back seat to issues like democracy. He is of the view that the Biden administration may be more aggressive in its response in terms of sanctions against those regimes in Africa where there are undemocratic elections. But what can change the discourse, he added, is the possible installation of Nigerian economist Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the head of the World Trade Organization.
If Susan Rice is designated as Secretary of State, as rumored, Africa would have some importance in the general orientation of the administration says Spio-Garbrah. One positive development from Africa’s angle is the inclusion of retired and much-respected Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the former assistant Secretary of State for African affairs and former US ambassador to Liberia to head the Biden-Harris transition team. Many experts are of the view that from a geopolitical angle, the focus of the American government will continue to be Europe and Asia, more than Africa.
