The upcoming election in the United States will have a significant impact on the interactions between the US and African countries. With only four days to Election Day, neither Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris nor Republican former President Donald Trump have outlined any specific strategies for Africa. Examining their past actions provides insight into their potential plans for future engagement with the African continent.
During his presidency, Trump reinstated and expanded the Global Gag Rule, which restricted US foreign aid to international health programs that supported abortion services. He also cut funding to the United Nations Population Fund, which provides maternal health services in low-income countries. These actions posed a threat to sexual and reproductive health services in vulnerable communities across Africa.
Although Trump withdrew the US from the Paris Agreement in 2020, his administration advanced trade opportunities between the US and African countries through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Prosper Africa, a program launched under Trump, aimed to facilitate trade between the US and African businesses and counter the influence of China and Russia in Africa.
The Biden-Harris administration immediately revoked the Global Gag Rule and rejoined the Paris Agreement upon taking office. They relaunched the Prosper Africa campaign with a focus on energy, climate solutions, health, and digital technology. Additionally, they have prioritized trade partnerships with African nations and increased bilateral agreements in various sectors.
Biden’s administration has shown a more welcoming approach to Africa, culminating in a strategy for sub-Saharan Africa and the US-Africa Leaders Summit in December 2022. The administration supports renewing AGOA, a critical economic partnership with African nations, and has proposed granting two permanent seats to African nations in the UN Security Council.
The author expresses skepticism about Biden’s commitment to Africa, citing the lack of meaningful state visits and partnership cultivation. They call for Harris, if she becomes president, to prioritize African relations and advocate for greater representation on international bodies. Unlike Trump, who focused on inward-looking policies, Harris presents an opportunity for productive collaboration with Africa if she upholds her pledges to the continent.
