USA-Africa : how not to spoil opportunities

"The U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit should not be seen as the beginning of a process, but rather as another important step in ongoing U.S. engagement with Africa.", suggestion of Amadou Sy

At the end, be humble : Andrew Young might teach you things. "Once back home, listen to your elders!!" This was one of the advice I got from there.

It is very well said that USA and Africa - in general- want this summit a “dynamic opportunity”. I thought that there is no way interests and stakes can be fully analyzed in three days. And I do agree, Heads of States are just political symbols to work on such an opportunity. Furthermore, even though it’s a first such huge summit in USA –we know such events happened between France, Japan, China, India- and Africa, but let’s agree - as I noticed-, USA is different from those other countries, though both of them members of G7 or whatsoever “world’s tankers”.

Hugeness of the event: Look here, seeing the list of attending Presidents and Heads of Governments, this gathering had never happened before and nowhere. Of course, taking a

With Amadou Sy

flight to Washington DC is different from flying to Beijing or to Tokyo. If economy, let’s say commerce and trade are the main topic to focus on, what an opening to penetrate that Connecticut Avenue: World Bank.  What a notch to target who to negotiate with.  Yes, Dr Jim Yong Kim was one of the inaugurating officers. Though Russia, Brazil, South Africa, India “innovate” by trying to start another common financial institution, the World Bank / IFM –just to name these-, “can be only in USA”. Otherwise, people discussing if it is a WB-Africa or a US-Africa event, that’s no issue. USA remains the key player. People need to target with who/how/when to negotiate and make contracts. Again, this isn’t the Heads of States/Governments’ role. I even doubt if they are really skilled for that.

Missing prospect: Let’s consider a small but strategic country such Burundi. It has been a great opportunity for that country to have its President around and be received –the first hours- by the State Secretary. What a procedure chance? However, in terms of strategic communication, this is how Burundi can’t spoil the occasion: setting up this summit, President Obama didn’t go toBurundi, neither did the SecretaryKerry.  We can find out the reasons of the kind of choices. But, governance and cultural motive stay on the top. Here is my point: as far as I know, President Nkurunziza knows enough English not to address to USA in French, especially in a kind of short but very important press conference. Here are the facts: he was hosted, escorted and led by John Kerry –who speaks very well French too-. Besides, he still needs “to read” –to be concise and clear-, as Kerry did. Besides this procedure, the “we have peace keepers in Somalia, CAR, etc.” looks needing updates. Oh, what that has to do- straight away- with energy, trade, investing in the future generation, health, etc., the main focus of the summit? By the way, did anybody see a Burundi National Statement about the summit?

Still a way out: Let’s agree that, Burundi doesn’t yet decide on its geopolitical and cultural spots despite the “Global” realities, process and stakes. It would be pleasing and foreseeing, though, if the country’s Health/Trade/Energy and electricity/ Ministers are of the delegation. My message is that Bush and his global policy on HIV/AIDS, same as the Clinton’s AGOA are more than currently active. In fact, though I am not an economic strategist, looking on the list of CEOs who attended the summit, Burundi to be represented by the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism is indistinguishable. Comparatively, South Africa, Rwanda, Malawi, Ethiopia, etc., are represented by specific companies: local airways companies, energy companies, and the like. The reason might be “keeping the opportunity dynamic.” They will be meeting detailed American counterparts and governmental institutions.

A factual Anecdote: Find and read it. It is written, black and white! As Washington hosted the World Bank spring summit, a seat was reserved to Burundi representative on a panel, just aside Ban Kimoon, World Bank President, MichaelBloomberg, Lawrence Summers,  and Margaret Chan. Was that for a fair reason? We all know the country still have ways to go in terms of development. It is said that they wanted to encourage the small and economically less competitive country which is, however, trying to provide some health services to its inhabitants. Guess what –if you don’t read the written article and from a rather trustful source-: the Burundi Representative didn’t attend that day’s activities. The seat was then taken by the powerful Nigerian female Minister. “At least, scientists, decision makers, etc., in the hall would have learned more about the small country’s realities” laughed an analyst.   Last, “even though international community wouldn’t financially support us, we will organize elections” (Nduwimana,E.). Really?

Takeaway: I was not neither the first nor the last to witness and participate in many and active –from independent institutions/organizations- conferences and forum, on Africa as well as the rest of the world. Diplomatically, “it’s a shame that dictators and ‘eternal’ Presidents are hosted in that democracy”, and by the Man at the end of his Term, said a political opponent in Benin. Nevertheless, how the “apathetic hands shake” between Kerry and Kompaore would be understood or interpreted? Who said “Museveni’s politicalstrategies want last longer?”  For sure, President Mugabe, Bashir, the Eritrean’s being shun doesn’t mean that all those who attended the summit are well seen by USA. USA’s Interests count too. “USA is a country that plan and acts for and on a long term. The general culture there is to give opportunities to everyone, on some conditions”, did I learn. 

Suggestion : African Leaders, take good model. Some would prefere heroes and here, identifying to who has succeeded would be rather human being. African Leaders, go and learn, at least, listen to people like Charlayne Hunter-Gault,  Sen. Gregory W. Meeks, Loretta Ross, Andrew Young (this humanitarian is even brought to you), Billye Aaron, Jimmy Carter, Vicki R. Palmer, and others. Go and visit/be inspired by memorials. Be humble! 


Audace Machado  

Sommet USA-Afrique : Un symbole incompris

“Les USA investissent très peu en Afrique”, ai-je entendu, au retour dans mon Burundi. Mon œil ! Je dirais, « Que les choses nous échappent ! ». Juste, pour exemple, Michèle Obama et ses services s’organisent pour accueillir et entretenir les femmes de ces leaders africains – à l’exception de Johnson S. « l’Homme fort » du Liberia qui sera avec les hommes- ; mais je serais étonné si ces mêmes Dames ne rencontraient pas aussi plusieurs ONGs, organisations ou « escrocs » religieux qui apportent beaucoup de dollars en Afrique. Haha, serais-je le premier à parler des mouvements –religieux dits- du réveil ? Oui, Bagbo et son Simone en ont payé les couts. Ce n’est qu’un exemple.

Avec Amb. H.J. Cohen

En outre, nos têtes moins éclairées ignorent ou oublient très vite que les Nations-Unies ont leur quartier général à New York. Ignorer ce fait, c’est croire que la visite de Samantha Power ou de JohnKerry dans les Grands Lacs Africains était ordinaire.  Lors d’une discussion introductive avec un collègue journaliste d’Isanganiro qui  voulait mon point de vue  dans une édition du journal de ladite radio – au départ du Président vers Washington, DC-, je souhaitais audit Président d’être accueilli au siège de la Banque Mondiale, non loin du FMI, en plein Washington DC.

Oui, Obama insiste sur le mot « jeunesse », comme par ailleurs tous les politiciens –surtout en propagande-. Mais encore, bien que ce soit une logique toute véridique, investir pour le développement c’est investir dans la jeunesse. Mais à part que l’on soit à la fin du YALI 2014, ou Forum des jeunes leaders africains aux USA, investissement dans la jeunesse veut dire notamment, éducation compétitive, création et offre d’emploie, ai-je appris.

Si ce sommet est à la Une aujourd’hui, disons aussi que c’est une affaire de culture et de media. C’est surement aussi parce que Obama est le 1^er Président au sang africain et à la tête d’une telle puissance politico-économique et sociale. Sinon, le genre de mouvement des Chefs d’Etats Africain s’est observé en Chine, au Japon, et dernièrement, en France. Donc, rien de nouveau à part que les USA diffèrent, stratégiquement et, pour les intérêts et priorités, de ces autres puissances. Ceci dit, a une journée dudit sommet, pas un seul entretien/tête à tête  n’est annoncé, entre Obama et un seul de ses pairs.

Enfin, s’il existe AGOA et que des businesswomen africaines sont présentement invitées aux USA, bref en plus de l’économique, « la gouvernance va au-delà des instances issues des élections, et la sécurité, la justice et le respect des doits humains sont d’une importance capitale pour les USA », entendais-je de l’Ancien « Africain », Herman Cohen.

Donc, qu’on ne se leurre pas : si, d’une part il y a des absents, évités ou non invités audit sommet, d’autre part, les leaders invités et présents ne veut pas dire que tout est clean entre les USA et leur style de gouvernance chez eux. Autant, Mugabe était « accepté » à Bruxelles en Avril passé, mais il ne le sera pas à Washington. Ce n’est qu’un exemple. Et puis, « Leaders Africains » est un large concept : ça ne se limite pas qu’aux Chefs d' Etats et de Gouvernement. Mais encore, il y’en a qui sont voulus présents pour des remarques directs. Eh oui, Museveni n’est pas moindre politique ! Parcourons les medias et rapports divers pour savoir que ce sommet arrive au moment au la gouvernance militarisée et « l’éternisation » au pouvoir refait surface, en Afrique, en général.  Donc, l’impact de ce sommet n’est pas à circonscrire aux seuls 5 et 6 Août 2014.    

Audace Machado

Update 
Agoa, Leaders as ministers, World Bank as a key US-player