"Change in US-AFRICA relationship"?
Comments by Franklin Katunda, group's administrator
Would the US become more engaged in the African Continent in the Obama era? Too long western corporates (including many US firms and merecenaries) have been part of networks of sponsors for weapons dealings with African military leaders, whom for most are despot, dictators. The illicit exploitation of mines and other precious gems in the old continent have caused wars, coup d'Etats and genocides. Most civil wars and genocides happened by the hands of armed leaders with connections with financiers and merceneries from US, Europe and even communist nations like Iran, Lybia, China, Russia and Korea.
The African continent became since the 60s a place when our national security was at risk with the initial East-West Cold War to end up with post democratization of most african regimes in the 80s to become a terrain of easy money for these outlaws. The 1990 to 2000s horrific happenings in Africa (Sudan, Congo Democratic, Rwanda, Nigeria and others Somalia, Kenya) and the motives behind their actors could fragilize our national security, if political instability, civil unrest, economic crisis and poor governance can still prevail.
Too long the foreign policy of the United States towards Africa has been timid, our diplomacy mode has been even accomplice, sold out to the dictat of the Europeans (former colonists of all African nations to the exception of Liberia). The French, the British, Portuguese and the Belgians have no power but an historical advantage over the US in Africa; the European Union is running the show in the old continent, and more it leads the US in every area of interest: economy, geopolitics, education, cultural identity and more the choice of leaders to become heads of states. It is time the United States of America become the ally, once of african countries that make progress in the observance of human rights, good governance and economic growth.
Here is the question: Now that Africa has been neglected too long ... Can Obama make the difference in Africa? How would he proceed when nominating Amb Carson, a longtime Intelligence officer and a 37 years diplomat in a continent that shifted from being a cold war terrain in the 60s to become "presumably" a barn to a few Al qaeda elements, to numerous illegal "western" predators and "communists" outlaws?
What do you think Amb. Carson could bring to the process to improving a positive and active presence of the United States in Africa; to the benefit of both the welfare of the African people and our country's national security?
Please read, and leave your comments at the bottom.
****
<article from All Africa Dot com, white housedot gov>
JOHNNIE CARSON NAMED AFRICAN AFFAIRS UNDERSECRETARY AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT
President Barack Obama today announced his intent to nominate Ambassador Johnnie Carson, Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, State Department.
Ambassador Johnnie Carson is currently the National Intelligence Officer for Africa on the National Intelligence Council. He joined the NIC in September 2006 after a 37-year career in the Foreign Service. Prior to this appointment, Carson served as the Senior Vice President of the National Defense University in Washington D.C. (2003-2006).
Carson's Foreign Service career includes ambassadorships to Kenya (1999-2003), Zimbabwe (1995-1997), and Uganda (1991-1994); and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of African Affairs (1997-1999). Earlier in his career he had assignments in Portugal, Botswana, Mozambique, and Nigeria. He has also served as desk officer in the Africa section at State's Bureau of Intelligence and Research; Staff Officer for the Secretary of State (1978-1979), and Staff Director for the Africa Subcommittee of the US House of Representatives (1979-1982).
Before joining the Foreign Service, Ambassador Carson was a Peace Corps volunteer in Tanzania. He has a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Drake University and a Master of Arts in International Relations from the School of Oriental and Africa Studies at the University of London.
Ambassador Carson is the recipient of several Superior Honor Awards from the Department of State and a Meritorious Service Award from Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. The Centers for Disease Control presented Ambassador Carson its highest award, "Champion of Prevention Award," for his leadership in directing the US Government's HIV/AIDS prevention efforts in Kenya.
<end of article>
Comments are closed for this post.
