Quartz Africa published on 19 December 2018 a commentary titled "The US Should Focus on Soft Power and China Cooperation in Africa--Not Rivalry" by Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria, and Greg Mills, Chairman Brenthurst Foundation.
The authors express concern with that part of the Trump administration's new Africa policy that urges competition with China and Russia. Superpower rivalry in Africa has historically been "messy, destructive and occasionally bloody." The US should focus on how to better support democracy in Africa.
Showing posts with label Trump administration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trump administration. Show all posts
Friday, December 28, 2018
Tuesday, December 25, 2018
US Africa Strategy: China As Partner Rather than Adversary
The Conversation posted on 17 December 2018 a commentary titled "Trump's Africa Strategy Should Have Cast China As a Regional Partner, Not a Global Adversary" by John J. Stremlau, University of Witwatersrand.
The author concludes that what really matters to the Trump administration is not Africa but containing and countering China.
The author concludes that what really matters to the Trump administration is not Africa but containing and countering China.
US Africa Strategy More about China than Africa
The Interpreter, a publication of the independent Australian Lowry Institute think tank, posted on 20 December 2018 a commentary titled "The New US Africa Strategy Is Not about Africa. It's about China" by Cornelia Tremann.
The author concludes that asking developing countries to choose between the US and China is a bad idea. I agree. She adds that US strategy should focus on US-Africa relations, not on China-Africa relations. Again, I agree although in all fairness there is a significant component of the new strategy that does not focus on China. Most of this component depends, however, on the US private sector, which does not necessarily take direction from the US government.
The author concludes that asking developing countries to choose between the US and China is a bad idea. I agree. She adds that US strategy should focus on US-Africa relations, not on China-Africa relations. Again, I agree although in all fairness there is a significant component of the new strategy that does not focus on China. Most of this component depends, however, on the US private sector, which does not necessarily take direction from the US government.
Monday, December 24, 2018
China Responds to US Africa Policy
The Chinese government's Global Times responded on 14 December 2018 to the Trump administration's new Africa policy with an editorial titled "US' New Africa Strategy Shows Washington's Jealously."
China suggested the US should abandon its prejudice against China's activities in Africa and strengthen coordination with Chinese partners there.
China suggested the US should abandon its prejudice against China's activities in Africa and strengthen coordination with Chinese partners there.
US-Sudan Relations
The US Institute for Peace published on 19 December 2018 an interview with Aly Verjee and Payton Knopf titled "Reforming the US-Sudan Relationship Requires a Regional Strategy."
The authors suggest how the United States might obtain greater advantage in the second round of efforts to normalize relations with Sudan.
The authors suggest how the United States might obtain greater advantage in the second round of efforts to normalize relations with Sudan.
Friday, December 14, 2018
China Looms Large in New US Africa Policy
The Atlantic posted on 13 December 2018 an article titled "Africa Is the New Front in the U.S.-China Influence War" by Krishnadev Calamur.
Drawing on US National Security Advisor John Bolton's new Africa policy statement (see below) at the Heritage Foundation, the author focused on his remarks that criticized China's activities in Africa.
Drawing on US National Security Advisor John Bolton's new Africa policy statement (see below) at the Heritage Foundation, the author focused on his remarks that criticized China's activities in Africa.
Trump Administration Announces New Africa Policy
National Security Advisor John Bolton announced the Trump administration's new Africa policy on 13 December 2018 at the conservative Heritage Foundation. He said the administration will begin executing the policy immediately.
The strategy addresses three core interests: First, it will advance U.S. trade and commercial ties. Second, it will counter the threat from "Radical Islamic Terrorism and violent conflict." Third, it will ensure that U.S. taxpayer dollars for aid are used efficiently and effectively. In this connection, Bolton announced a new initiative called "Prosper Africa," which will support U.S. investment across the continent, grow Africa's middle class, and improve the overall business climate in the region.
Bolton's remarks included the sharpest criticism yet from any administration on the role being played in Africa by China and Russia.
The strategy addresses three core interests: First, it will advance U.S. trade and commercial ties. Second, it will counter the threat from "Radical Islamic Terrorism and violent conflict." Third, it will ensure that U.S. taxpayer dollars for aid are used efficiently and effectively. In this connection, Bolton announced a new initiative called "Prosper Africa," which will support U.S. investment across the continent, grow Africa's middle class, and improve the overall business climate in the region.
Bolton's remarks included the sharpest criticism yet from any administration on the role being played in Africa by China and Russia.
Thursday, December 13, 2018
US and China in Africa: The Debate in Washington Is Underway
Judd Devermont, director of the Africa Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities on 12 December 2018. His remarks were titled "Implications of China's Presence and Investment in Africa."
As the Trump administration ramps up a new policy towards Africa that challenges African leaders to make a strategic choice between China and Russia or the United States, Devermont suggests a more nuanced policy. He states that while Chinese engagement in Africa undercuts and potentially degrades U.S. capacities and influence in sub-Saharan Africa, China is neither ten feet tall nor do all its activities harm U.S. interests in the region. It is important to draw a finer distinction between which Chinese activities threaten U.S. national security priorities and which Chinese engagements are neutral or complimentary to U.S. objectives. If we portray all Chinese endeavors as antithetical to U.S. goals, we will fail to develop and implement an effective policy response. His advice is well taken.
As the Trump administration ramps up a new policy towards Africa that challenges African leaders to make a strategic choice between China and Russia or the United States, Devermont suggests a more nuanced policy. He states that while Chinese engagement in Africa undercuts and potentially degrades U.S. capacities and influence in sub-Saharan Africa, China is neither ten feet tall nor do all its activities harm U.S. interests in the region. It is important to draw a finer distinction between which Chinese activities threaten U.S. national security priorities and which Chinese engagements are neutral or complimentary to U.S. objectives. If we portray all Chinese endeavors as antithetical to U.S. goals, we will fail to develop and implement an effective policy response. His advice is well taken.
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
Trump Administration Focus in Africa: Counter China and Russia
NBC News posted on 10 December 2018 a story titled "Trump Admin Looks to Counter China, Russia's Growing Power in Africa with New Strategy" by Dan De Luce and Courtney Kube.
The authors report that the Trump administration is expected to release a policy statement on Africa this week drafted by the White House National Security Council that will emphasize America's rivalry with China and Russia as a top priority rather than an exclusive focus on counterterrorism. This shift in policy would be in accord with the US National Security Strategy announced in December 2017.
The authors report that the Trump administration is expected to release a policy statement on Africa this week drafted by the White House National Security Council that will emphasize America's rivalry with China and Russia as a top priority rather than an exclusive focus on counterterrorism. This shift in policy would be in accord with the US National Security Strategy announced in December 2017.
Monday, November 26, 2018
Sudan and US Sanctions
World Politics Review posted on 26 November 2018 a commentary titled "Is the Trump Administration Offering to End Sudan's Isolation for the Wrong Reasons?" by Richard Downie, Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Sudan has been on the US state sponsors of terrorism list since 1993. Discussions are taking place between Sudan and the US to remove Khartoum from this list, which both sides agree has not been justified for a number of years. The problem is that Washington has other concerns about Sudan dealing primarily with human rights that it is trying to improve before it removes Sudan from the state sponsors of terrorism list.
Sudan has been on the US state sponsors of terrorism list since 1993. Discussions are taking place between Sudan and the US to remove Khartoum from this list, which both sides agree has not been justified for a number of years. The problem is that Washington has other concerns about Sudan dealing primarily with human rights that it is trying to improve before it removes Sudan from the state sponsors of terrorism list.
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
US Works To Improve Relations with Sudan
Foreign Policy posted on 8 November 2018 an article titled "Trump Administration Gives Sudan a Way To Come in from the Cold" by Robbie Gramer.
Sudan's foreign minister recently visited Washington. The Trump administration offered a scenario whereby Sudan could be removed from the United States' list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Sudan's foreign minister recently visited Washington. The Trump administration offered a scenario whereby Sudan could be removed from the United States' list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Monday, October 15, 2018
Will New US Agency Match China's Financing in Africa?
The New York Times published on 14 October 2018 an article titled "Trump Embraces Foreign Aid to Counter China's Global Influence" by Glenn Thrush.
This is a good account of the new US International Development Finance Corporation (IDFC) that has the authority to provide up to $60 billion in loans, loan guarantees, and political risk insurance to companies willing to invest in developing countries.
It is important to understand that the funding is NOT limited to Africa and will probably be used more frequently in Asia and Latin America. This bipartisan effort won the support of the Trump administration once it was cast as a way to compete with China. While it is a welcome addition to US tools for competing with China and other investors in the developing world, there should be no illusions about its impact in Africa. The $60 billion is a cap covering an undetermined number of years. It doubles the cap of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), which IDFC has replaced. OPIC's global exposure as of 2017 was $23 billion with about $6 billion of this or 27 percent going to Sub-Saharan Africa. OPIC funding favored safe investments; IDFC can be expected to follow a similar policy. China will likely remain a significantly more important source of lending to Africa even with the creation of the IDFC.
This is a good account of the new US International Development Finance Corporation (IDFC) that has the authority to provide up to $60 billion in loans, loan guarantees, and political risk insurance to companies willing to invest in developing countries.
It is important to understand that the funding is NOT limited to Africa and will probably be used more frequently in Asia and Latin America. This bipartisan effort won the support of the Trump administration once it was cast as a way to compete with China. While it is a welcome addition to US tools for competing with China and other investors in the developing world, there should be no illusions about its impact in Africa. The $60 billion is a cap covering an undetermined number of years. It doubles the cap of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), which IDFC has replaced. OPIC's global exposure as of 2017 was $23 billion with about $6 billion of this or 27 percent going to Sub-Saharan Africa. OPIC funding favored safe investments; IDFC can be expected to follow a similar policy. China will likely remain a significantly more important source of lending to Africa even with the creation of the IDFC.
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
African Students Forsake US for China
Foreign Policy posted on 2 October 2018 an article titled "Forget Stanford, Tsinghua Beckons: America Is Losing African and Asian Students to China" by Cheng Li and Charlotte Yang, MA candidate at the Harvard Kennedy School.
Since 2014, the total enrollment of African students in China has surpassed that of the United States. The Fulbright Program, a hallmark of U.S. cultural diplomacy since 1946 has faced calls for funding cuts since the Obama administration. In the meantime, China has employed a number of policy tools to promote higher education, with a special focus on attracting students from Africa and Asia.
Since 2014, the total enrollment of African students in China has surpassed that of the United States. The Fulbright Program, a hallmark of U.S. cultural diplomacy since 1946 has faced calls for funding cuts since the Obama administration. In the meantime, China has employed a number of policy tools to promote higher education, with a special focus on attracting students from Africa and Asia.
Friday, September 7, 2018
Is the Trump Administration Writing Off Africa?
World Politics Review (WPR) published on 7 September 2018 a commentary titled "Trump Seems To Be Writing Off African Security, But Will It Matter To the U.S.?" by Steven Metz, who has a weekly column with WPR.
The author argues that the Trump administration may be writing off Africa, which has always been at the fringe of American global strategy. While his statement on the position of the Trump administration is premature, the author concludes, ill advisedly in my view, that it may not matter to either the United States or Africa as each charts its own way into the future. Does Metz not realize that Africa accounts for more than one-quarter of all members of the United Nations? Both the Trump administration and Metz need to take Africa more seriously.
The author argues that the Trump administration may be writing off Africa, which has always been at the fringe of American global strategy. While his statement on the position of the Trump administration is premature, the author concludes, ill advisedly in my view, that it may not matter to either the United States or Africa as each charts its own way into the future. Does Metz not realize that Africa accounts for more than one-quarter of all members of the United Nations? Both the Trump administration and Metz need to take Africa more seriously.
Monday, August 27, 2018
China, US, and Africa
Kenya's Business Daily published on 21 August 2018 a commentary titled "Why Kenya Should Realign to Changing Global Economic Order" by George Wachira, director of Petroleum Focus Consultants.
The author suggests that the Trump administration's America First policies have rattled multilateral institutions that have previously held the world together. With the traditional US-EU shared global leadership now in flux, China and Russia are likely to leverage the ongoing trade and political uncertainties to consolidate their global position. This may fit especially well with China's long-term plans for economic, political, and military ascendancy and its significant stranglehold on Africa. For Kenya, China remains both a big opportunity and a tricky challenge. Kenya needs to learn how to deal with China, which is mostly interested in leveraging its position to its own advantage.
The author suggests that the Trump administration's America First policies have rattled multilateral institutions that have previously held the world together. With the traditional US-EU shared global leadership now in flux, China and Russia are likely to leverage the ongoing trade and political uncertainties to consolidate their global position. This may fit especially well with China's long-term plans for economic, political, and military ascendancy and its significant stranglehold on Africa. For Kenya, China remains both a big opportunity and a tricky challenge. Kenya needs to learn how to deal with China, which is mostly interested in leveraging its position to its own advantage.
Friday, August 24, 2018
Is US Policy Towards Africa On the Mend?
World Politics Review published on 24 August 2018 a commentary titled "Trump's Outbursts Aside, There Are Signs the U.S. Wants to Repair Ties to Africa" by Julian Hattem, a journalist based in Kampala, Uganda.
The author argues that recent high level visits by African leaders to Washington, especially the upcoming visit of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, are signs that the Trump administration may finally be willing to engage publicly and constructively with a range of African issues.
The author argues that recent high level visits by African leaders to Washington, especially the upcoming visit of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, are signs that the Trump administration may finally be willing to engage publicly and constructively with a range of African issues.
Monday, July 30, 2018
China's Rapidly Evolving Security Agenda in Africa
The Chinafrica Project broadcast on 28 July 2018 a 27-minute podcast titled "China's Rapidly Evolving Security Agenda in Africa" with Lina Benabdallah, Wake Forest University.
The discussion covers the range of China's security relationships with Africa and suggests why African military personnel are increasingly eager to work with their counterparts in the People's Liberation Army.
The discussion covers the range of China's security relationships with Africa and suggests why African military personnel are increasingly eager to work with their counterparts in the People's Liberation Army.
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
Where Does Africa Fit in Xi Jinping's Worldview?
The Chinafrica Project ran a 32-minute podcast on 21 July 2018 titled "Where Does Africa Fit in Xi Jinping's Worldview?" Hosts Eric Olander and Cobus van Staden discussed the issue with Elizabeth Economy, US Council on Foreign Relations.
Economy, who has recently returned from a visit to China, reported that the prevailing view in China is that the liberal international order is over and China wants to play a key role in shaping the new order. At the same time, Economy found that some Chinese believe China has over reached. An example of this may be the Belt and Road Initiative that now includes West Africa and the polar regions.
Economy, who has recently returned from a visit to China, reported that the prevailing view in China is that the liberal international order is over and China wants to play a key role in shaping the new order. At the same time, Economy found that some Chinese believe China has over reached. An example of this may be the Belt and Road Initiative that now includes West Africa and the polar regions.
Ethiopia, Eritrea, and the United States
World Politics Review published on 23 July 2018 an analysis titled "How Peace in the Horn of Africa Can Transform U.S.-Ethiopia Relations" by Richard Downie.
The author concluded that the United States should use the upcoming visit to Washington of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to support peacebuilding in the Horn of Africa, strengthen its relationship with Addis Ababa, and reset relations with Eritrea.
The author concluded that the United States should use the upcoming visit to Washington of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to support peacebuilding in the Horn of Africa, strengthen its relationship with Addis Ababa, and reset relations with Eritrea.
Friday, July 13, 2018
U.S. Role in Ending the Ethiopia-Eritrea Conflict
Foreign Policy published on 12 July 2018 a commentary titled "Trump Needs to Close the Deal in the Horn of Africa," by Daniel Runde, Center for Strategic and International Studies.
The author argues that the United States has an outsized role in the Horn of Africa and this is an historic opportunity to ensure that peace and normalization of relations take place between Ethiopia and Eritrea. While I agree that the United States should do everything appropriately possible to encourage this development, I believe the author has an exaggerated view of U.S. influence in the region. So long as Ethiopia and Eritrea themselves are sincerely trying to end this dispute, it may be more appropriate for outside powers to remain on the sidelines unless assistance is requested by both parties.
The author argues that the United States has an outsized role in the Horn of Africa and this is an historic opportunity to ensure that peace and normalization of relations take place between Ethiopia and Eritrea. While I agree that the United States should do everything appropriately possible to encourage this development, I believe the author has an exaggerated view of U.S. influence in the region. So long as Ethiopia and Eritrea themselves are sincerely trying to end this dispute, it may be more appropriate for outside powers to remain on the sidelines unless assistance is requested by both parties.
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