by Scott Morgan
08-12-05
Recently the Council of Foreign Relations -- a think tank based in
Washington, DC -- issued a very crucial report regarding the future of American
Foreign Policy in Africa.
The format of the report was as a warning to the President. With the current
"War on Terror" and with the emerging competition with China over oil and other
economic sources Africa should be ignored at the peril of the US.
At this time America has a chequered past when it comes to previous
administrations and policy towards Africa. The continent was a vital periphere
in the ideological struggle against communist Russia. Both nations poured
millions of dollars and roubles in both military and economic aid propping up
governments or aiding rebel movements.
With the fall of the Berlin wall less focus was paid to Africa as the attention
of the US went to other areas of the world.
The battle of Mogadishu seemed to indicate an end to US interests in Africa.
The battle which has been documented in a book and a movie tells a tragic tale.
Eighteen members of the US Special Forces were killed in a daylong battle while
trying to apprehend a Somali warlord. This was a major defeat for the US. Soon
after the battle the US forces pulled out of Somalia.
This decision was proven to be short-sighted as it has been seen by some
observers as a factor in both the genocide in Rwanda and in the long running
Congolese (Zaire) civil war.
There are several opportunities where the United States can make a positive
impact on the continent. Aid from the USA has risen by over 500 % in the last
decade and the Millennium Challenge Account and the emergency plan for AIDS
relief are seen as crucial steps.
The administration has sought to end the political crisis in Zimbabwe and has
brokered a peace deal in southern Sudan also but there are several others areas
to improve the US role.
One area that needs to be improved is any US involvement in the various
crises that arise in a tension filled environment. One conflict that was
mentioned was the war in the DRC. This conflict almost escalated in October as
Uganda threatened to invade if the transitional government did not disarm
Ugandan militias that are hiding out there.
There is a row developing now as the main opposition candidate faces treason
charges in a military court two months after returning from exile. Darfur was
also mentioned as a way for the US to provide leadership.
These are not the only areas where the administration should pay attention to
in Africa. Ethiopia and Eritrea threaten to renew their war soon and as this
happens 23 pro-democracy activists languish in an Ethiopian jail. Kenya has seen
violent demonstrations after a proposed constitutional amendment failed.
The recent elections in Liberia provide an opportunity for the US to back a
freely-elected government. There are elections scheduled in the near future for
the Ivory Coast and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These elections are
crucial as they will have the potentialto lead for stability in central and
western Africa.
As long as the war on terror and oil are not the main areas of concern there
will be great improvement in US-African relations.
Let us hope that it happens.
Source: FrontPageAfrica