Dualism in US aiding policy towards Africa: Commentary

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, March 16, 2004

Dualism in US aiding policy towards Africa: Commentary

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Recently, much criticism in international consensus has been heard about the US current policy of aiding Africa. Even the January issue of "Foreign Policy in Focus", a magazine published in the US thinks the focus of Bush Administration's foreign policy has imposed direct or indirect negative influence on Africa last year. Africa was hurt by such policy either from the perspective of politics or from that of economy.

It's a fact indeed. The US aid to Africa is conditional and serves its strategic interest. It will provide aids to Africa so long as it is in line with the US interests and profitable. If not, it will turn a blind eye to the needs or be profuse of some empty talks.

The US has always been lacking of sufficient care and assistance to Africa's poverty. As the largest impoverished continent in the world, Africa, is facing various challenges including alleviating poverty and hunger, promoting health and education. In the new century, to accomplish the "Development Objectives of the Century" made by the UN in 2000, Africa set up "Africa Union", which coordinates the African affairs and worked out the "New partner plan for African development". However, due to its weak economic base and shortage of fund, Africa is in dire need of aids from the outside. In order to help African countries get rid of poverty, realize stability and develop economy, the UN has called on the western developed countries to take 0.7 percent out of their GNP as aids to most underdeveloped countries including Africa. The US, however, is unwilling to make real commitment to such call. For many years, the US official aids only account for 0.1 percent of its GNP. This is not only far from the UN requirements but also at the very bottom on the donation list. As the most well off country in human history, US appeared so stingy in helping Africa relieve the poverty. It hasn't taken up the responsibility for booming common development of mankind, nor has it provided any official aid funds to impoverished countries in Africa as per UN request.

AIDS are the biggest challenge that Africa is facing nowadays. Statistics shows that out of 42 million AIDS patient and HIV carriers, 30 million live in Africa. Tens of millions of them have died since the first case of AIDS discovered in Africa. African countries need supports from the international community, for they cannot bear the huge expense in prevention and cure of people with AIDS. Last January, the US government announced the "President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief", in which it promised to provide at least 3 billion USD annually to Africa. In his visit to Africa in July, President Bush promised to grant 15 billion USD to Africa as funds to prevent and cure AIDS patients. All these promises won warm welcome and recognition from Africa and international community. Yet, the US government took no action, nor did it come up with any plan in last year. African countries are disappointed. The international consensus said the US failed to keep its promises.

On the other hand, the US showed great interest in Africa's rich natural resources, huge market potentials and important position in combating terrorism. Exploring and making use of the rich resources in Africa, especially the oil and gas, has become a significant part of the US' power strategy. Currently the oil supplied by Africa has come to nearly 20 percent of the US total import volume. It is predicted by year 2015 the oil imported from Western Africa will go up to 25 percent, thus surpassing the oil from the Gulf area. Having defined African oil as strategic product in line with its state interest, the US attaches importance to power cooperation with Western African countries like Nigeria and Senegal. The investment of the US oil companies in this region increased year by year. The attack at the US Embassy in Kenya, Tanzania in recent years, along with discovery of terrorists of "Al-Qaeda" in Somalia and Malawi, make the US aware that the African countries are possible to become the new shelter for terrorists should the US do not pay attention to them. Consequently, President Bush announced to provide African countries with USD 100 Million in combating terrorist activities in Africa as he visited the five African countries in last July.

The US is adopting a policy of dual standards in Africa: Satisfy some African countries' needs when they are related to the US reserve of resources, especially oil safety and anti-terrorism strategy. However, it turns a blind eye to Africa's war, poverty, disease and debt problems. The long-term poverty and underdevelopment of Africa unavoidably affects the world peace and development. The international community, especially developed countries like the US should have a broad vision for its African policy, so that the problems of African countries can be solved attentively, warmly and sincerely. The objective of aiding Africa is not merely for safeguarding its "oil safety" and fulfilling "needs in combating terrorism."

By People's Daily Online

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