John Bolton in 2018, then National Security Advisor United States of Americapresented strategy of administration donald trump for africaThe headline in ‘The New York Times’ captured the most obvious intent from the entire document: “Bolton outlines a strategy for Africa. really try to resist china”. government Joe Biden keep that targetadded in response to the increasing effect Russia on land but efforts The current US president is viewed as at least more subtle and sophisticated than its predecessor.
Biden is already taking concrete steps to try. strengthen alliances and ties with Africa. The term he chose to talk about the continent “partnership“. And that’s what he repeated at a meeting he held last December. Leaders’ summit attended by 49 African countries. This was the second such meeting Washington has hosted, after the first one held by Barack Obama in 2014.
At that meeting, Biden made a commitment $55 billion to support Agenda 2063 from Africa. Although most of the funds are not newly allocated, healthcombating climate change and its effects COVID-19development infrastructures or reinforcement food Safety, The war in Ukraine and its impact on the grain and fertilizer trade, as well as regional problems such as drought. It has also been announced that 165 million will be allocated for support.peaceful and transparent elections“.
Biden also assured his interlocutors that “Africa should be at the table in every room where global issues are discussed and in every institution where negotiations are held.” Thus, the continent he launched at the United Nations in September armchair in a possible reform process. Security Council. And he added his offer. For the African Union to join the G-20.
weakening
It was a sign that he was determined to try. Adding strength to an essential relationship that has become stagnant Over the last two decades, as Western influence in Africa has eroded, it is a phenomenon that has been widely recognized by experts and observers, and has been highlighted by some specific figures, especially since China launched the New Route of silk program in 2013.
For example, the Asian giant quadruples the US in terms of trade with Africa. While the USA managed to increase the figures of this trade by 22% to 44.9 billion dollars between 2019-2021, those of China reached 254,000 million dollars with an increase of 35% in the same period. This Meanwhile, US direct investment fell by 5.3%China nearly doubles as the largest provider of foreign direct investment, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs.
Beijing and Moscow
insistently from the White HouseAlliance with Africa is not about other countries”, but “USA real partners and wants to build relationships based on mutual respectThat’s what Biden spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said recently in the pressroom. Already in December, just before meeting with African leaders, National Security adviser Jake Sullivan declared: “The spirit from the summit that’s not what we’re going to do African nations and peoples, but what will we do with themAnd although this philosophy answers the claims of African rulers, the background of Washington’s economic and geopolitical rivalry with Beijing and Moscow in the region is clear.
In the Biden government’s own strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa, presented in 2022, the vision was noted given the approach of its policies towards Africa in line with its “Europe, Middle East and Indo-Pacific allies”. “Beijing and Moscow represent challenges. Chinesesees the continent as an “important step,” according to the document. challenge the international orderto advance their own commercial and geopolitical interests, undermine transparency and openness And Weakening US relations with African governments and peoples“.
Russiaalso a “makes sure he sees”permissive environment for state companies and private military an implicit reference to activities such as those of Wagner’s mercenaries, which often feed instability for financial and strategic gain. Mali, Burkina Faso, Sudan and the Central African Republic. And the Kremlin is accused of “using disinformation alongside its security and economic ties” to undermine opposition to the occupation of Ukraine. Eritrea and Mali were two of the seven countries that voted against the resolution in the UN General Assembly’s latest vote calling for Russia to withdraw its troops, and others. 15 African countries abstained (almost half of the 32 total abstentions). Five more did not participate in the voting.
diplomatic attack
after what donald trump would be First US president to not visit Africa after Ronald Reagan (she also insulted their home country) and although Melania Trump is making a controversial trip, Washington is also waging a notable diplomatic offensive across the continent. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anthony Blinken visited him three times in the last yearin one of these situations Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Moreover Linda Thomas Greenfield visited this place three times. The last since he was appointed UN ambassador, shortly before the General Assembly vote on the anniversary of the war in Ukraine. In recent weeks, travel Treasury Secretary Janet YellenAnd First Lady, Jill Biden. And in addition to the visits of other cabinet members, they will travel this year Vice President to Africa, Kamala Harris and Biden himself. No date or details have yet been given about the president’s visit.
One show of respect but in all these trips, China and Russia also have shadows. Prior to his wife’s trip, which was dedicated to “soft diplomacy” and came to Kenya and Namibia with messages of women’s empowerment and democratic encouragement to youth, Biden assured her that he would help bring attention to what was described as a “critical issue”. “: “Putin tried to starve the world Blockade the Black Sea ports to prevent Ukraine from exporting grain.” YellenDuring his visit to Senegal, Zambia and South Africa, he assured that the United States wanted to “deepen” its relations with Africa, a continent that will “shape the future of the global economy”, while at the same time that “many African countries are now disturbed.” high and unsustainable debtand it cannot be denied that this is a problem, and most Regarding Chinese investment in Africa“.
The treasury chief later assured him that he was simply stating the “facts”, stressing that “Washington is not competing with China” and “it is not up to us”. But this competition is real. And what he said to the ‘Voice of America’ resonates cameron hudsonone of the experts Center for Strategic and International Studies“The United States wants to see African countries collectively have a greater say in international forums and create prosperity for their citizens, but it also controls its ambition to expand China and Russia. Both may be true at the same time, but we know we just want an improvement and it’s more complicated more than that,” he warned.