If Obama Continues Bush Policy in Africa: Is It Really a Bad Idea?
Lauri Edwina Elliott
May 08, 2009
The stark contrast between Presidents Bush and Obama still lingers in the minds of the U.S. and the world. While the world has embraced Obama much more so than Bush, Bush still received high marks concerning Africa.
In 2003, Bush visited Africa, stressing that he was concerned about Africa. He focused on establishing peace and security on the continent, winning over HIV/AIDs and promoting economic development through aid and trade. His motives may be in question, but his actions in the ensuing years align with these priorities.
Bush directly engaged with more African heads of state than the Clinton administration. He stepped up to the plate for funding for HIV/AIDS on the African continent. Under his administration, the AGOA initiative expanded. Also, the Millenium Challenge Corporation (MCC) was established to assist governments reach their poverty reduction goals. He even supported canceling the debts of poor countries. With moves like this, even his strong critics have given credit where credit is due.
This may be a positive seed for America in Africa in this century. It´s interesting to note that this policy towards Africa seems to reflect a U.S. government shift to, or perhaps a return to the realization of, the importance of both diplomacy and development along with defense in its foreign policy.
You can see this shift working through the leadership in the Bush administration. Both Secretaries of State Powell and Rice promoted the importance of the diplomatic effort, but it was often minimized by the "defense" push. With a changing of the guard from Rumsfeld to Gates as Secretary of Defense, diplomacy and defense once again became partners. Gates has made his position concerning the importance of diplomacy and development clear, "In all, these non-military efforts – these tools of persuasion and inspiration – were indispensable to the outcome of the defining ideological struggle of the 20th century. I believe that they are just as indispensable in the 21st century – and maybe more so." He approved a National Defense Strategy last year supporting this theme.
Whatever the Bush administration started in Africa, it will likely be the Obama administration that leaves a legacy of America in Africa in this century. This potential legacy will involve increased diplomacy and development, if we listen to Secretary of State Clinton. Clinton says, "We must use what has been called smart power: the full range of tools at our disposal – diplomatic, economic, military, political, legal, and cultural – picking the right tool, or combination of tools, for each situation."
This may sound like the strategy that was evolving in the Bush administration, but expect the Obama administration to make something significant and wholly distinctive to itself. Gates and Clinton have already demonstrated a partnership between the Department of Defense and the Department of State through integrated strategies. Last month Obama presented a budget to Congress for U.S. International Affairs, increasing the budget for diplomacy and development structures for 2010. But it will be the specific actions taken for and in Africa that will define this legacy.
The Obama administration has already begun to face issues in Africa, e.g., Zimbabwe, the ICC Court indictment of Sudan´s president, the Somali piracy incident. However, it has only been within the last few months, that the focused leadership for Africa began to emerge.
It started with the appointment of two key personnel. First, Scott Gration serves as the Special Envoy to Sudan. Second, Johnnie Carson serves as the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. Carson was confirmed by a full Senate vote and officially sworn in just two days ago. His first official engagement will be as part of a U.S. delegation going to the inauguration of Jacob Zuma as President of South Africa this weekend.
There is also movement on the Obama´s policy for Africa concerning the priority of economic development. In April, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) launched the Competitiveness and Trade Expansion Program (COMPETE) in the COMESA economic community in Africa. It provides funding to increase competitiveness and trade in specific industries, as well as reduce barriers to regional and international trade.
Now that the Obama administration has tangibly moved on its Africa policy, the question is how well and how quickly it will take shape. Let´s see what happens in the next 100 days.
In 2003, Bush visited Africa, stressing that he was concerned about Africa. He focused on establishing peace and security on the continent, winning over HIV/AIDs and promoting economic development through aid and trade. His motives may be in question, but his actions in the ensuing years align with these priorities.
Bush directly engaged with more African heads of state than the Clinton administration. He stepped up to the plate for funding for HIV/AIDS on the African continent. Under his administration, the AGOA initiative expanded. Also, the Millenium Challenge Corporation (MCC) was established to assist governments reach their poverty reduction goals. He even supported canceling the debts of poor countries. With moves like this, even his strong critics have given credit where credit is due.
This may be a positive seed for America in Africa in this century. It´s interesting to note that this policy towards Africa seems to reflect a U.S. government shift to, or perhaps a return to the realization of, the importance of both diplomacy and development along with defense in its foreign policy.
You can see this shift working through the leadership in the Bush administration. Both Secretaries of State Powell and Rice promoted the importance of the diplomatic effort, but it was often minimized by the "defense" push. With a changing of the guard from Rumsfeld to Gates as Secretary of Defense, diplomacy and defense once again became partners. Gates has made his position concerning the importance of diplomacy and development clear, "In all, these non-military efforts – these tools of persuasion and inspiration – were indispensable to the outcome of the defining ideological struggle of the 20th century. I believe that they are just as indispensable in the 21st century – and maybe more so." He approved a National Defense Strategy last year supporting this theme.
Whatever the Bush administration started in Africa, it will likely be the Obama administration that leaves a legacy of America in Africa in this century. This potential legacy will involve increased diplomacy and development, if we listen to Secretary of State Clinton. Clinton says, "We must use what has been called smart power: the full range of tools at our disposal – diplomatic, economic, military, political, legal, and cultural – picking the right tool, or combination of tools, for each situation."
This may sound like the strategy that was evolving in the Bush administration, but expect the Obama administration to make something significant and wholly distinctive to itself. Gates and Clinton have already demonstrated a partnership between the Department of Defense and the Department of State through integrated strategies. Last month Obama presented a budget to Congress for U.S. International Affairs, increasing the budget for diplomacy and development structures for 2010. But it will be the specific actions taken for and in Africa that will define this legacy.
The Obama administration has already begun to face issues in Africa, e.g., Zimbabwe, the ICC Court indictment of Sudan´s president, the Somali piracy incident. However, it has only been within the last few months, that the focused leadership for Africa began to emerge.
It started with the appointment of two key personnel. First, Scott Gration serves as the Special Envoy to Sudan. Second, Johnnie Carson serves as the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. Carson was confirmed by a full Senate vote and officially sworn in just two days ago. His first official engagement will be as part of a U.S. delegation going to the inauguration of Jacob Zuma as President of South Africa this weekend.
There is also movement on the Obama´s policy for Africa concerning the priority of economic development. In April, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) launched the Competitiveness and Trade Expansion Program (COMPETE) in the COMESA economic community in Africa. It provides funding to increase competitiveness and trade in specific industries, as well as reduce barriers to regional and international trade.
Now that the Obama administration has tangibly moved on its Africa policy, the question is how well and how quickly it will take shape. Let´s see what happens in the next 100 days.
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