U.S. Policy in Africa

Campus Report ^ | March 9, 2009 | Alanna Hultz

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U.S. Policy in Africa

by: Alanna Hultz, March 09, 2009

At an Africa Action event in collaboration with Howard University African Studies Department, U.S. policy in Africa under the Obama Administration was discussed. Africa Action describes itself as the oldest organization in the U.S. working on African affairs. Their mission is to change U.S.-African relations to promote political, economic and social justice in Africa. At the event Emira Woods, Co-Director of Foreign Policy In Focus at the Institute for Policy Studies, Semhar Araia, Africa analyst and lawyer, member of the Obama-Biden Transition Team and Professor Shadrack Gutto, renowned African scholar, author and educator, gave opening remarks followed by four different panels that discussed concerns in Africa such as conflict and militarism, economic policy, global health policy and climate change.

Woods said “we are dealing with a triple crisis: the economic system hasn’t worked, we have a food crisis and Africa is at the epicenter of global warming.” She continued “everything must change and we need a new engagement that encourages movement.” In November the World Bank revised its economic outlook for developing countries and acknowledged that developing countries “are now much more vulnerable, with dwindling capital flows, huge withdrawals of capital leading to losses in equity markets, and skyrocketing interest rates.”

Araia believes “we need smart power signaling the return to foreign policy.” She said “we need the three D’s, diplomacy, development and defense.” Araia feels the U.S. should host a White House summit on African affairs in order to improve diplomatic engagements, revert back to care competency of military and work on development by addressing youth, unemployment and alternative energy options....

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