What Will Obama Bring Africa?

Obama won the election and African countries and people were all happy for him. Meanwhile, they all count on this Obama – the very first African-American president in U.S. history – to help Africa to achieve peace, stability, and better development.

Will Obama’s trade policy and aid to Africa be any different? It is not yet known. Nevertheless, national security, resources in Africa, and democratic and benign policy will remain as America’s major theme toward Africa.

First of all, having Obama in office will be an advantage for the cooperation between America and African countries on issues like anti-terrorism. Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga indicates that after Obama has won the election, Kenya will establish a closer cooperation with America on anti-terrorism, especially against the terrorist activities in the Horn of Africa.

While congratulating Obama on his victory, Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe also indicated his determination to work with America. He hopes that the new American government will lead a pragmatic set of policies and improve the relationship between the two countries.

Besides, the U.S. announced the establishment of Africa Command last October. Although it hasn’t been able to “settle down” in Africa, with Africa Command the American military can bring its cooperation with African countries on anti-terrorism to another level. This helps to prevent terrorist groups from setting up new bases in Africa.

It is said that Obama’s connection with Africa will help African people change their hostile attitude toward white people as “colonists” and “invaders,” offering a better atmosphere for the cooperation of America and African countries in various fields.

Obama also indicated during the election campaign that if he won the election, he would work for better relationships with those countries that encourage and promote democracy. This fits the African people’s will to eliminate corruption in the governments, develop their countries, create more career opportunities, and improve people’s lives.

America’s ambassador to Kenya, Michael Ranneberger, recently indicated that with Obama in office, African countries are probably going to face even more pressure to promote democracy. Benign policies will be Obama’s top issue with African countries.

John McCain’s African adviser J. Peter Pham indicated that Obama’s Kenyan origin and the popularity he gained in Africa after winning the election come together as a “valuable opportunity” for him.

If Obama can use this “opportunity” wisely, it will help him to promote American values in Kenya as well as in the all of Africa. This helps to ensure America’s interests in Africa while facilitating the African people’s urge for peace, stability, and development.

Indeed, while those African people are clapping for their hero Obama, some other civilians, scholars, and politicians are rather calm. They wonder if Obama, this new president of African origin, can really bring Africa any substantial benefits.

Alfred, a new university graduate from the Luo tribe, the same as Obama’s origin, cares a lot about Kenya’s politics and economy. He told us with honesty that “it is delightful to see someone from the Luo tribe like Obama become the American president. It will definitely bring more tourists to Kenya, therefore benefiting tourism, Kenya’s pillar industry. This will be a spring to Kenya’s tourism. Nevertheless, other parts, such as attracting foreign investment, will hardly be any different for now.”

Kenny, a businessman working in Durban, South Africa told us, “it is great to have an African brother sitting in the White House. I don’t think, however, this means much for Africa. Will the American president bring big changes to our lives? I really doubt it.”

Such opinion is the majority among Africa’s academic, political, and government circles. Observers emphasize that people should not count too much on Obama.

Graham Hopwood, Executive Director at the Institute for Public Policy Research of Namibia indicated that Obama is facing a series of domestic and international issues upon taking office, such as how to deal with the international financial crisis and the Iraq issue. There is a possibility that Obama will continue Bush’s policies with Africa. The people of Namibia have to accept reality.

Dr. Achille Mbembe from University of Witwatersrand, South Africa, holds an even sharper opinion, saying, “on these things, Africa’s expectation of Obama is merely an ethnic pride. On other things, the African people are too wishful and unrealistic and they should not expect too much.”