By Uchenna Ekwo
With all the hype about the September 10, 2024 presidential debate held at the National Constitution Center, Philadelphia neither Trump’s nor Harris’ policies towards Africa came up for discussion. The debate moderators – David Muir and Linsey Davis of ABC News and the political pundits were also complicit in ignoring a mere mention of a continent home to more than a billion people.
The conversation about immigrants eating pets, cats, and dogs, unfortunately, clouded reasonable discussion about real issues of interest to the 55 countries in Africa that face severe challenges related to the consequences of changing geopolitical rivalry among more industrialized powers and the effects of technological disruption. Historically, the US’s policies toward the African continent have been inconsistent, with Africa being seen as crucial ally only when needed. Admittedly, the Biden administration’s Africa policy aims to foster openness and open societies, deliver democratic and security dividends, and promote economic development but Kamala Harris, Biden’s successor and a Black American herself, could not remember to mention Africa throughout the 90 minutes debate.
Many Africans, especially those in the United States who are expected to vote en masse for Harris would have loved to learn more about the progress report about the US-Africa Leaders Summit hosted by the Biden Administration. Two years after the excitement that heralded the second Africa Leaders Summit, what is the impact of the US-Africa partnership enunciated at the Africa Leaders Summit? What is the progress so far with benefitting countries in Africa in tackling climate change and security threats? What is the status of the Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA)?
Eligible voters of African origin are eager to know the U.S. strategy toward sub-Saharan Africa especially with security threats in East and West Africa.
Overall, the debate provided a platform for both candidates to share their visions and policies with the American public. It covered various topics including reproductive rights, immigration, Ukraine-Russia war, race relations, and the economy.
The demeanor of both candidates in the presidential debate was notable, with Kamala Harris displaying a calm and collected attitude, while Donald Trump appeared more agitated and defensive. Harris maintained eye contact and addressed Trump directly, whereas he avoided eye contact and referred to her in the third person. Harris’s strategy seemed to be to provoke Trump into losing his composure, which he did on several occasions . Overall, Harris’s demeanor was more presidential and composed, while Trump’s was more emotional and reactive.
The post-debate debate descended into who won the debate with lots of conspiracy theories all over the internet. Trump was quick to declare himself as winner immediately after the debate. He rushed to the spin room to announce that several polls had him beat his opponent “92% to 8%” while others suggested “89% and more…”
The next day he claimed without evidence that ABC leaked the questions to Harris before the debate and suggested ABC should lose its license for “rigging the debate” to Harris’ favor. Even more ludicrous was a suggestion by Right-Wing figures that Harris used audio earrings for the debate that had the capability to get information from her aides who fed her with appropriate responses to questions.
Buoyed by what many pundits referred to as a stellar performance, the Harris campaign welcomed another round of debate to which Trump refused saying that because his opponent did badly in the debate is reason for asking for a do-over.
Should there be another debate, it will be a good idea for the candidates not to ignore Africa. Beyond the debate stage, both candidates should articulate their policy priorities towards Africa in their campaign stumps. After all, the future of the world is in Africa. Trump and Harris understand that every political campaign is about the future. In fact, the slogan of Kamala Harris campaign puts it quite succinctly: A New Way Forward!
Uchenna Ekwo, Ph.D., journalist and scholar is Carnegie African Diaspora Fellow
9 Responses
Perhaps there’s nothing new to say about Africa. Thank God Trump didn’t say Africans also steal and eat American pets or that it’s a ‘shit’ continent !
Dr. Uchenna Ekwo, be it known that the wholesale neglect of Africa, to say the least, is emblematic of the sheer eclipse of the black in the scheme of things. Too bad! But, like you rightly pointed out, Africa represents the future, and those who ignore this fact are, certainly, not being in tune with the tempo of the time. Period!
America has no solution for Africa. I would say without fear that America is a big problem to Africa and in Africa. Remember Obama, and look at the situation in most African countries. Who benefits from America-Africa relationship?
A well-articulated exposure to the absence of African agenda to both candidates sweating to occupy the White House post November 5th Presidential election. For obvious reasons, Africa has become a footnote in world affairs. Partly due to corruptive tendencies of African leaders which have reduced the continent to a massive land of underdevelopment in both human and infrastructural levels. The unprecedented economic and political failures of African leaders is the main reason why the continent is snubbed by Western leaders. A continental geographical area and its peoples are as good as what they produce and bring to the table. Africa and its more than one billion inhabitants must change course to be relevant in world affairs and until then, the peoples and their leaders will continue to be considered useful idiots in the political, economic and military chess game between the Western and Eastern blocs as well as China.
Doc, I’m not interested in this election or any other in America because they have nothing to offer Africa but exploitation. In fact, I don’t like America for this. 😞
I couldn’t agree more that both candidates overlooked Africa, yet again. But I firmly believe that the future belongs to Africa. It’s time for us Africans to take ownership and drive the change we desire. We can’t keep waiting for external validation or reliance on Western nations, like the Americans. Instead, we must catalyze and inspire the future we want, harnessing our collective potential, resources, and innovative spirit to shape a brighter tomorrow for ourselves and future generations.
Africa takes the rare in the pecking order of world politics as its leaders have misgoverned more than two-thirds of the nations that constitute a richly endowed continent, whose brightest are constantly being driven to seek livelihood outside its shores by a profligate, prebendal and inept crop of rulers, who kowtow to the West and implement policies that leave the continent’s population asphyxiated.
It is therefore not surprising that there is no mention of Africa in that all important debate.
Africa owes itself the duty to be self assertive. For what you do is what defines you. A largely beggarly continent that willingly surrenders its resources, and often times sovereignty, to the wanton control of Western and Asian powers should not expect to be taken seriously.
Thats a nice piece. I am glad you noticed that they did not mention anything Africa. Well, that’s how they always feature us; only to remember Africa when something bad occurs.
Not surprised at that. Africa and her leaders do not earn any regard before the West, nar America.
Nigeria with that nature bestowed in her still struggles to survive due to corruption, and inept leadership.
Trump and Harris, like all leaders of Europe and America, are aware that whether or not they show ínterest in Africa, the puppets we call leaders will still lick their ass in search of aid.