Africa and the USA: A Honeymoon

After Barack Obama’s visit to Ghana, it is now Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s turn, who is beginning a tour through seven African countries. The image of the U.S. in Africa has never been better. Even during the Bush administration, 73 percent of Africans had a favorable image of Uncle Sam. Today, according to a Gallup poll, 87 percent of adults who responded to the survey in the seven countries on Clinton’s list approve of U.S. leaders.

However, Africa expects a lot from this large, friendly country. It is delighted about the support provided by the U.S. in the fight against AIDS. The policy of supporting campaigns for antiviral distribution benefits two million people in Africa.

Africa expects a lot of backing on the part of the U.S. for the import of African products to the United States and hopes that this will not remain focused on oil imports.

Africa also expects that the U.S. giant, soon to be free of the financial crisis, will design a bold development-assistance policy. The time for exploitation is over and the time for assistance will soon end as well. There is now a need to construct a strategic partnership to extricate Africa from poverty.