US secretary of State Colin Powell has completed a six-day tour of four African countries. African observers, however, are not taken in by the fine words of the first African-American secretary of state. Many still remember that President Bush declared during last year’s presidential campaign that the continent does not fit in with America’s strategic interests. So the commentators look for action to back up Powell’s current US pledges of help.
Since the end of the Cold War, African leaders have felt that the outside world is neglecting the continent’s problems. The dramatic changes under way in post-Cold War Africa have presented unprecedented opportunities and obstacles. Africans have been seeking economic progress and democracy.
Beset by ethnic tension, economic decline and new threats from AIDS epidemic, Africans have increasingly looked to Washington for assistance and mature partnership.
This is seen as a rare window of opportunity, which may slam shut if United States can’t help Africans.
Moreover, Africa’s global political role is disproportionate to its economic or military strength. In a world increasingly receptive to the idea of collective security, Africa accounts for one-third of the UN’s membership and fills three of the non- permanent Security Council seats. Within Africa and internationally, America’s willingness to use its comparative advantages in promoting the peaceful resolution of conflicts is widely viewed as a key indicator of its continued world leadership.
On the other hand, Africa’s mineral wealth, its actual and potential markets for American products would guarantee continuing strong US involvement.
In pursuit of these US interests, many American analysts say that the trip showed Washington’s desire to be engaged with Africa. And the Bush administration seems to be alive to the consequences of African problems — the unchecked spread of AIDS, endless wars, shattered economy and how to promote democracy. Obviously, the African AIDS crisis is perhaps the greatest disaster unfolding anywhere. An estimated 70 percent of the world’s HIV cases are in sub-Saharan Africa. That is why the United States recently pledged to increase its funding to global AIDS programs. The heavy death toll from AIDS, especially among the young adults, has adverse effects on economic, political and stability throughout Africa.
Powell, who has made the global battle against AIDS a prime theme of his African trip, said that he would seek to have the US government make more funds available to fight immuno-deficiency syndrome worldwide than $ 200 million pledged by President Bush. Although, Powell has been careful not to appear to promise too much, some analysts insist that US assistance should focus on developing comprehensive HIV prevention programs..
In resolving conflicts that rage today in Angola, Congo, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, Sudan and the Great Lakes region, United States is ever more reluctant to commit its troops. Powell made clear during his African tour that US would continue to avoid direct military involvement in African disputes. In fact, American peacekeepers have not set foot on the continent since 18 US soldiers were killed in Somalia in 1993.
Nevertheless, it seems that Washington would help African countries when they act to restore peace, and devise their own indigenous peacemaking and peacekeeping mechanisms. The African forces would offer a less costly alternative to UN operations worldwide.
