What Barack Obama’s victory may mean for Africa

by Augustine Magalowondo

The vote is out. The U.S. have elected an Afro-American president. But why should we in Africa care about the U.S. elections when, we just had our own unprecedented presidential by-election in Zambia to talk about? Why should we care when we just witnessed South Africa replacing Thambo Mbeki? Indeed, don't we have Zimbabwe to talk about? How about the forthcoming elections in Ghana?

 I am sure that some Americans wonder or think we are crazy when we seem to care a lot about their (American) elections when we have so many issues that call for our attention on this continent. Talk of DRC, Sudan, Ethiopia, Chad, Eritrea and you name it. The list is long. So why care about elections in the U.S. in the first place?

Unparalleled influence

Well, the reason is simple if not obvious. Even with other emerging global actors like China, India, Brazil, and to some extent, Russia increasingly tipping off the balance of power in world politics, the U.S. remains, at least for now, a nation whose influence in the happenings of the world is still unparalleled. Consider the current financial crisis for instance! I heard this other day a student of African politics saying that when America coughs, the rest of the world sneezes. Indeed, it is not unusual to find a common person in a typical remote African village easily telling you who the American president is but fail to recall the name of his/her local parliamentarian.

Although that may sound like an exaggeration, the point made is that there is nothing like an all American affair that remains within the confines of the U.S. Now, I am not sure whether this is a desirable position for any country to be found in, but that is beside the point or not the focus for now. The point is that because of what the US is, these elections are, like any other US elections in the past, keenly being watched and rightly so even when there no African Union observers there.  

Obama: 'a fellow African'

But for Africa in particular, these elections have a unique significance. I am sure you would quickly say yes, because we have a 'compatriot', a fellow African, or some one of African descent who is poised to win. Well, that is true and for many in Africa, it is what makes these elections particularly unique. There is a kind of euphoric feeling that for once, we may have 'our own brother' governing that powerful nation! Some one who is connecting Africa to the U.S, even at that very personal level. Obama himself has unequivocally spoken so highly of his family tree. Of course, Africans are not disillusioned. They know that Obama is first and foremost an American. He only has some African roots but it is these roots that set him apart among the presidential contenders. There is a natural feeling of proximity and/or familiarity that makes many Africans to consider Barack to be better positioned in as far as the U.S. Africa policy may be shaped. But there is more to Barack Obama than just his well known African descent that creates a sense of optimism in the future U.S.-Africa relations under this 47 year Senator.

Outspoken critic

Ever since Barack Obama came into the public limelight as a Democratic Senator, he has distinguished himself as someone who wants to make a difference not just in the U.S. but also in other parts of the world, especially in Africa. He has been outspoken and his critical position is well known on Darfur. For the young African generation (and Africa is predominantly youthful), Barack Obama brings to them hope particularly when they recall that unlike many African leaders, he openly called spade a spade when he described Robert Mugabe's Government in June this year as "illegitimate". He sees the power sharing agreement in Kenya between Raila Odinga and Mwai Kibaki as a "vital step forward" but he is quick to add that coalition members should make "an enduring commitment to democracy, cooperation and national unity [1]".

Ally

In other words, what many in Africa expect from the Obama Administration is a government that will remain a strong ally and act in solidarity to the fight for democracy. Not the administration that may conveniently sacrifice the democratic cause at the alter of other strategic 'national interests'.  Furthermore, for many Africans, the fact that Barack Obama has been one of the strongest critics of the Bush Administration's unilateralism in foreign policy suggests that his (Obama's) administration may be that which has not just a big mouth and a loud voice but also a big ear at the same time. Much as the outgoing Bush administration did a lot in and for Africa, many here were disquieted with the kind of foreign policy that suggested that "either you are with us or you are against us". This either-or approach to international affairs implied that there was only one way to looking at issues and that was the American way. I wonder whether this is democratic.  Africa wants to have a voice and space in the global village and there are a lot of hopes that between the two candidates, Obama may be better placed to ensure that Africa's voice is heard and her place is secured. Of course, when all is said and done, one would have to say that the taste of the pudding is in the eating. Anxiously will Africa watch as events unfold in the U.S.

[1] See U.S. Policy toward Africa, Council on Foreign Relations: http://www.cfr.org/bios/11603/barack_obama.html#19