Posted on by Katerina

USA Policy in Sub-Saharan Africa

Author:

Andrey Urnov

Abstract:

The article is devoted to Biden Administration Policy in Sub-Saharan Africa during the first half of 2022. This policy is carried out in accordance with a keynote speech “The United States and Africa: Building a 21st Century Partnership” made by Secretary of State Antony Blinken on November 17, 2021 in Abuja, Nigeria. The Secretary identified five spheres of common interest and cooperation – global health, the climate crisis, more stable and inclusive economy, defense of democracy, peace and security. The United States acknowledge a growing role of Africa in the world affairs and use all means at their disposal to preserve and strengthen their positions on the continent. The US “right” to be a global leader remains indisputable. The main enemies, as everywhere, are “authoritarian” China and Russia. The author reviews the US positions and activities in regard to conflict situations in Ethiopia, Mali, Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. The meetings and contacts are traced between A. Blinken, his deputies and assistants and African leaders – Chairpersons of African Union and AU Commission, presidents of Angola, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, The Gambia, Malawi, Somalia, Zambia, prime minister of Cote d’Ivoire, foreign ministers of South Africa, Kenia, Nigeria and other countries. The trips of two American delegations are described. One, led by Deputy Secretary of State W. Sherman to South Africa, Angola and Togo (May). The other – “the Department of State economic diplomacy delegation” to Nigeria, Kenia, South Africa and Namibia (February). Some statistics on US – Sub-Saharan Africa trade and investments are provided. The official position concerning the tasks facing Africom is cited.

In connection with the events in Ukraine, the United States launched in Africa a frenzied slanderous campaign against Russia. Despite brutal American pressure, about half of the African states refused to vote for the anti-Russian resolution in the United Nations General Assembly (26 out of 54). The African Union Chairperson M. Sall characterized the position of Africa as “very heterogeneous” and insisted on the cancellation of sanctions. His meeting with V. Putin in Sochi on June 3 showed that the African Union is interested in cooperation with Russia and has no intention to quarrel with it. The author analyses in detail “the Congressional Budget Justification” letter which presents the State Department requests of funds for the US policy in Africa in 2023 Financial Year (1 October 2022 – 30 September 2023). Now principle changes in regard to the size of expenditures or vectors of activities are planned.

Keywords:

USA, Sub-Saharan Africa, State Department, African Union, partnership, conflicts, settlement, events, Ukraine, sanctions

DOI:

10.31132/2412-5717-2022-60-3-6-25

References:

1. Africa’s Strategy to Draw Investment Needs Work. 24 January 2022. Bob Wekesa https://www.wits.ac.za/news/latest-news/opinion/2022/2022-01/africas-strategy-to-draw-investment-needs-work.html (accessed 21.03.2022)
2. Assistant Secretary Witkowsky’s Travel to Ghana Media Note. Office of the Spokesperson. May 25, 2022. https://www.state.gov/assistant-secretary-witkowskys-to-travel-to-ghana/ (accessed 28.05. 2022)
3. Biden to Return US troops to Somalia. E. Watson. May 16, 2022 CBS News. https://cbsnews. com/news/somalia-american-troops-biden/ (accessed 22.05.2022)
4. Building on Steps to End the Conflict in Ethiopia. Press Statement. Antony J. Blinken. Secretary of State. April 29, 2022. https://www.state.gov/building-on-steps-to-end-the-conflict-in-ethiopia/ (accessed 4.05.2022)
5. Chair’s Statement: Roadmap for Global Food Security – Call to Action Media Note. Office of the Spokesperson. May 19, 2022. https://www.state.gov/chairs-statement-roadmap-for-global-food-security-call-to-action/ (accessed 24.05.2022)
6. Commander Details How US Africa Command Furthers Defense Goals. March 27, 2022. Jim Garamone. DOD News. https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/2966710/com-mander-details-how-us-africa-command-furthers-defense-goals/ (accessed 10.04.2022)
7. Congressional Budget Justification, Department of State. Foreign Operations, and Related Programs. FY 2023. P. i. https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/FY-2023-Congressional-Budget-Justification_Final_03282022.pdf (accessed 16.04.2022)

Show More

8. Declaration of a Humanitarian Truce by the Government of Ethiopia. Press Statement. Antony J. Blinken. Secretary of State. March 24, 2022. https://www.state.gov/declaration-of-a-humanitarian-truce-by-the-government-of-ethiopia/ (accessed 28.03.2022)
9. Delivery of Humanitarian Assistance to Tigray and Afar Regions. Press Statement. Antony J. Blinken. Secretary of State. April 1, 2022. https://www.state.gov/delivery-of-humanitarian-assistance-to-tigray-and-afar-regions/ (accessed 4.04.2022)
10. Delivery of Humanitarian Assistance in Tigray. Antony J. Blinken. Secretary of State. Department of State. April 15, 2022. https://www.state.gov/delivery-of-humanitarian-assistance-in-tigray/ accessed 20.04.2022)
11. Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Meeting with South African Minister Pandor and Deputy Minister Botes. Readout. Office of the Spokesperson. May 4, 2022. https://www.state.gov/deputy-secretary-shermans-meetings-with-south-african-minister-pandor-and-deputy-minister-botes/ (accessed 7.05.2022)
12. Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Meeting with Angolan President Lourenco. Readout. Office of the Spokesperson. May 5, 2022. https://www.state.gov/deputy-secretary-shermans-meeting-with-angolan-president-lourenco/ (accessed 7.05.2022)
13. Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Meeting with Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba. Readout. Office of the Spokesperson. May 6, 2022. https://www.state.gov/deputy-secretary-shermans-meeting-with-gabonese-president-ali-bongo-ondimba/ (accessed 8.05.2022)
14. Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Meeting with Gabonese Defense Minister Ngoubili. Readout. Office of the Spokesperson. May 6, 2022. https://www.state.gov/deputy-secretary-shermans-meeting-with-gabonese-defense-minister-ngoubili/ (accessed 8.05.2022)
15. Digital Press Briefing on U.S. Commitment to Economic Trade in Africa. Special Briefing VIA Telephone. February 22, 2022. https://www.state.gov/digital-press-briefing-on-u-s-commitment-to-economic-trade-in-africa/ (accessed 28.02.2022)
16. Humanitarian Assistance to Communities in Northern Ethiopia. Press Statement. Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State, June 7, 2022 https://www.state.gov/humanitarian-assistance-to-communities-in-northern-ethiopia/ (accessed 10.06.2022)
17. Now the East African Community tackles the eastern DRC’s rebels. Institute for Security Studies. June 6, 2022. https://issafrica.org/iss-today/now-the-east-african-community-tackles-the-eastern-drcs-rebels (accessed 10.06.2022)
18. On the Transition Timeline in Mali. Press Statement Ned Price, Department Spokesperson. June 9, 2022 https://www.state.gov/on-the-transition-timeline-in-mali/ (accessed 12.06.2022)
19. Remarks at the Global Vax Initiative Launch. Remarks Wendy R. Sherman. Deputy Secretary of State. Mutu Ya Kevela School. Luanda, Angola. May 5, 2022 https://www.state.gov/remarks-at-the-global-vax-initiative-launch/ (accessed 7.05.2022)
20. Reported Massacre in Mali. Press Statement. Ned Price. Department Spokesperson. April 3, 2022 https://www.state.gov/reported-massacre-in-mali/ (accessed 8.04.2022);
21. Reports of Mass Atrocities in Western Tigray. Press Statement. Ned Price. Department Spokesperson. April 8, 2022. https://www.state.gov/reports-of-mass-atrocities-in-western-tigray/ (accessed 12.04.2022)
22. Secretary Antony J. Blinken with AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat at the Signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation Between the United States and the African Union. Remarks Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State. Moussa Faki Mahamat, AU Commission Chairperson Beniamin Franklin Room. Washington, D.C. March 11, 2022. https://www.state.gov/secretary-antony-j-blinken-with-au-commission-chairperson-moussa-faki-mahamat-at-the-signing-of-a-memorandum-of-cooperation-between-the-united-states-and-the-african-union/ (accessed 20.03.2022)
23. Secretary Blinken’s Call with African Union Commission Chairperson Faki. Readout. Office of the Spokesperson.February 8, 2022. https://www.state.gov/secretary-blinkens-call-with-african-union-commission-chairperson-faki-2/ (accessed 15.02.2022)
24. Secretary Blinken’s Call with African Union Commission Chairperson Faki. Readout Office of the Spokesperson. June 7, 2022. https://www.state.gov/secretary-blinkens-call-with-african-union-commission-chairperson-faki-3/ (accessed 10.06.2022)
25. Secretary Blinkin’s Call with Senegalese President and African Union Assembly Chairperson Sall. Readout. Office of the Spokesperson. March 3, 2022. https://www.state.gov/secretary-blinkens-call-with-senegalese-president-and-african-union-assembly-chairperson-sall/ (accessed 10.03.2022)
26. Secretary Blinken’s Call with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Readout Office of the Spokesperson. May 25, 2022. https://www.state.gov/secretary-blinkens-call-with-somali-president-hassan-sheikh/ (accessed 28.05.2022)
27. Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with DRC Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Lutundula. Readout. Office of the Spokesperson. June 2, 2022 https://www.state.gov/secretary-blinkens-meeting-with-drc-vice-prime-minister-and-foreign-minister-lutundula/ (accessed 5.06.2022)
28. Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Angolan Foreign Minister António. Readout. Office of the Spokesperson. May 26, 2022. https://www.state.gov/secretary-blinkens-meeting-with-angolan-foreign-minister-antonio/ (accessed 30.05.2022)
29. Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Angolan Foreign Minister Tete António Before Their Meeting Remarks Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State. Thomas Jefferson Room. Washington DC. May 26, 2022. https://www.state.gov/secretary-antony-j-blinken-and-angolan-foreign-minister-tete-antonio-before-their-meeting/; In Angola Sun Africa Constructs Seven Solar Projects Totaling 370 MW https://africaoilgasreport.com/2021/03/energy-transition/in-angola-sun-africa-constructs-seven-solar-projects-totaling-370mw (accessed 1.06.2022)
30. Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Foreign Ministers from Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritania, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, and Senegal Before Their Meeting Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State United Nations Headquarters New York. May 18, 2022. https://www.state.gov/secretary-antony-j-blinken-and-foreign-ministers-from-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-egypt-gabon-ghana-kenya-mauritania-nigeria-south-africa-zambia-and-senegal-before-their-meeting/ (accessed 23.05.2022)
31. Somalia Elects Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as New President. Aljazeera, May 15, 2022. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/15/somalia-elects-hassan-sheikh-mohamud-as-president (accessed 18.05.2022)
32. Somalia’s Presidential Election. Press Statement Antony J. Blinken. Secretary of State. May 16, 2022. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2022/05/mil-220516-state02.htm (accessed 19.05.2022)
33. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Satterfield’s travel to Ethiopia. Media Note. Office of the Spokesperson. April 12, 2022. https://www.state.gov/special-envoy-for-the-horn-of-africa-satterfields-travel-to-ethiopia/ (accessed 15.04.2022)
34. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa. Press Statement, Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State, June 1, 2022. https://www.state.gov/special-envoy-for-the-horn-of-africa-2/ (accessed 3.06.2022)
35. Statista. Direct investment position of the United States in Africa from 2000 to 2020. Published by Statista Research Department, Aug 4, 2021. https://www.statista.com/statistics/188594/united-states-direct-investments-in-africa-since-2000/ (accessed 21.03.2022)
36. Strengthening the US-Africa trade and Investment Relationship Nov 17, 2021 | Microsoft Corporate Blogs. https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2021/11/17/strengthening-us-africa-trade-investment-relationship-hearing (accessed 20.03.2022)
37. TASS. 2022. Ukraine looms over US-African Union summit. Africa Report. By Julian Pecquet Posted on Saturday, 12 March, 2022. https://www.theafricareport.com/183223/ukraine-looms-over-us-african-union-summit/ (accessed 20.03.2022)
38. Under Secretary Fernandez’s Travel to South Africa and Zambia. Media Note. Office of the Spokesperson. May 9, 2022. https://www.state.gov/under-secretary-fernandezs-travel-to-south-africa-and-zambia/ (accessed 11.05.2022)
39. Under Secretary Jose W. Fernandez’s Keynote Address at the 2022 Investing in Africa Mining Indaba Conference. Remarks. Jose W. Fernandez Under Secretary for Economic Growth Energy and Environment. Cape Town , South Africa. May 10, 2022. https://www.state.gov/under-secretary-jose-w-fernandezs-keynote-address-at-the-2022-investing-in-africa-mining-indaba-conference/ (accessed 15.05.2022)
40. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nuland’s Travel to Djibouti, Mozambique, and Nigeria . Media Note. Office of the Spokesperson. June 10, 2022. https://www.state.gov/under-secretary-of-state-for-political-affairs-nulands-travel-to-djibouti-mozambique-and-nigeria/ (accessed 12.06.2022)
41. The United States and Africa: Building a 21st Century Partnership. Speech. Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State. Economic Community of West African States. Abuja Nigeria. November 19, 2021. https://www.state.gov/the-united-states-and-africa-building-a-21st-century-partnership/ (accessed 29.11.2021)
42. United States Announces Additional Humanitarian Assistance for the Horn of Africa. 27 April, 2022. https://www.state.gov/united-states-announces-additional-humanitarian-assistance-for-the-horn-of-africa/ (accessed 2.05.2022)
43. U.S. Concern About the Deteriorating Situation in South Sudan. Press Statement. Ned Price, Department Spokesperson. March 29, 2022. https://www.state.gov/u-s-concern-about-the-deteriorating-situation-in-south-sudan/ (accessed 5.04.2022)
44. US Department of State and US Agency for International Development. FY 2023. Budget Request. Fact Sheet. Office of the Spokesperson. March 28, 2022. https://www.state.gov/u-s-department-of-state-and-u-s-agency-for-international-development-fy-2023-budget-request (ac-cessed 15.04.2022)
45. US Support for Somalia. Media Note. Office of the Spokesperson. June 13, 2022. https://www.state.gov/u-s-support-for-somalia/ (accessed 15.06.2022)
46. U.S.–Sub-Saharan Africa Trade Data. Special Monthly Summary of U.S. Trade. https://dataweb.usitc.gov/trade-data-reports/sub-saharan-africa/trade-data (accessed 20.03.2022)
47. Visa Restrictions on Individuals Responsible for Undermining Democratic Process in Somalia. Press Statement. Antony J. Blinken. Secretary of State. February 25, 2022. https://www.state.gov/ visa-restrictions-on-individuals-responsible-for-undermining-the-democratic-process-in-somalia/ (accessed 28.02.2022)
48. Zimbabwe: Extends Sanctions on Zimbabwe by Another Year. allAfrica. March 4, 2022. https://allafrica.com/stories/202203040211.html (accessed 9.04.2022)

Full Article