Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc. International Trade and Distribution
AFRICA
Will President Obama Snub or Lead Africa?
Oh how great the excitement was in November, 2008. The whole world celebrated as America elected its first Black president. It seemed that good change was on its way and nowhere was the excitement greater than throughout the continent of Africa. Our brothers and sisters were having hopes of true democracy, economic empowerment and responsible government. The new President of the “Free World” was going to provide great influence and make those changes happen. So far, those hopes of direct and positive leadership coming from the new leader have yet to transition into reality.
The fact is that so far President Obama has given Africa and its leaders a very token amount of attention or concern. His recent comments have been that of scorn for the bad leaders and an apparent attempt to blanket the entire continent because of the dastardly deeds of Zimbabwe, Sudan and other poorly led nations. What Africa needs is strong and sincere American influence not criticism void of helpful direction. During these last two years we have been losing our relationship with Africa. Meanwhile, Europe, Asia and South America are gaining their sphere of influence like never before. America is being cut off from Mother Africa and it is happening on the watch of our first Black president. So ironic! It is also dangerous to both Africa and the United States.
There is no continent on this earth that possesses the rich natural resources of Africa. It “burps” oil while diamonds, gold, platinum, coltan and other precious metals “soak” the ground. There is enough farmable land in Africa to feed the entire world. Yet, starvation remains an issue. Poverty is the worst in the world and it possesses the worst educational and healthcare delivery systems known to mankind. This is done through the exploitation of so called European and Asian friends and with the complicity and/or reticence of the United States. It is time for us to break this cycle and it should be coming from our first Black president. Instead we appear to be going in reverse.
This year is the 50th Anniversary of the great independence of most of Africa from colonialism. 17 countries including Nigeria gained their independence in 1960. The first nation was Ghana in 1957. Recently, France’s Prime Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, in celebration, hosted the leaders of Senegal, Mali, Niger, Ivory Coast, Benin, Togo, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mauritania, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Chad and Madagascar during Bastille Day (France’s Independence Day). He had their troops march with the French Army during the parade along the Champs-Elysees monument during the big parade. This is typical of how they court them. Other European and Asian nations plus Brazil court them also. In exchange, corporations from these nations are doing trillions of dollars in business in Africa to the detriment of American firms. We are on the outside looking in.
As celebrations like the above are happening this year, the United States through our President Obama tends to ignore. In fact, lately he delivered a “slap to the face” of Africa. He held a ceremony acknowledging the 50th Anniversary but brought nondescript African expatriates, visitors, etc. Not one ambassador, prime minister or president was invited. One Cameroon newspaper reported, “Barack Obama snubs the African dictators”. A newspaper in Burkina Faso stated, “A kick in the nose to African leaders, whom he seems to be royally snubbing”. They are hurt and rightfully so. Meanwhile, Germany, France, Italy, China, Japan, South Korea, etc. are becoming the outside vendors of choice as Africa grows its infrastructure and productivity and American businesses are at the back of the “bus”.
President Obama doesn’t have to kiss up to these guys. Tough love and leadership could do the task. An example: Nigeria is the fourth largest importer of oil to the United States (behind Canada, Mexico and Saudi Arabia respectively). Their government receives 60% of the total revenue from this. However, over the recent years more than $300 billion have “disappeared” through outright theft and embezzlement of government officials. Why can’t he say “No more corruption. Show us how these funds are being spent on education, healthcare, infrastructure, environmental clean up and economic development programs or we will have to go somewhere else”? The people of Nigeria would be so thankful and good government would be demanded.
Yes, we can affect change through our strong leadership and partnerships. It is our obligation and destiny to get very engaged with the whole Black Diaspora. Provide technology and demonstrate the power of self sufficiency. Stop them from the poverty game – some African nations structure up to one third of their entire budget with outside financial aid instead of gross national product. We can show them a better way and, at the same time, run off the crooks, robbers and malcontents. Mr. President, LEAD!
Mr. Alford is the co-founder, President/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce®. Website: www.nationalbcc.org. Email: halford@nationalbcc.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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