To counter the Russian and Chinese presence

America is reshaping its policy in sub-Saharan Africa

Blinken is greeted by his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor as he attends a meeting in Pretoria.

AFP

Yesterday, the United States revealed a comprehensive reformulation of its policy in sub-Saharan Africa, in which it intends to confront the Russian and Chinese presence and develop non-military methods against terrorism.

This new strategy, which takes into account the growing demographic importance and weight of Africa at the United Nations as well as its vast natural resources and opportunities, coincides with the start of US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on his second African tour that will take him to South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.

This shift also comes at a time when some assert that the US focus on combating extremist groups in Africa militarily has not yielded significant results.

The new guidance document unveiled yesterday affirms that "the United States has a great interest in ensuring that the region remains open and accessible to all, and that governments and peoples can themselves make their own political choices."

"Open societies generally tend to work in coordination with the United States, attract more American trade and investment, and counter the harmful activities of the People's Republic of China, Russia, and other foreign actors," she added.

The document, titled "US Strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa," details four five-year goals: supporting open societies, delivering democratic and security gains, working towards post-pandemic recovery, creating economic opportunity, supporting climate preservation and adaptation, and an equitable energy transition.

The US document refers to the allegations of the White House against Beijing and Moscow in Africa.

It considers Beijing to be acting as an arena to challenge the rules-based international order, to advance its exclusive commercial and geopolitical interests, and to weaken US relations with African peoples and governments.

As for Russia, it “views the region as a porous environment for parastatal and private military companies, and often creates a state of instability to gain strategic and financial advantages,” according to the US document, which also refers to the use of “disinformation.”

While some 70 percent of Africans express resolute support for democracy, the number of so-called free states has shrunk to eight, a number not so low 30 years ago.

The document proposes increased efforts to "stop the recent wave of tyranny and military coups by working with allies and partners in the region to respond to democratic backsliding and human rights abuses."

She added that the United States would use its "unilateral capabilities," that is, its military, against terrorist targets "only when it is lawful and where the threat is most acute."

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