United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
concluded his maiden trip to the African continent on Tuesday in Ethiopia,
where he met the country’s prime minister Abiy Ahmed, the president Zewde
Sahle-Work and African Union Commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat among
other dignitaries.
Pompeo also visited Angola and Senegal, where he
highlighted America’s commitment to pursuing its strategic interests and
supporting its African allies.
In this article, we recap some of the key messages
that Pompeo shared over his three-legged trip.
Warning to South Africa
During his final leg in Ethiopia, Pompeo took some
time to warn South Africa’s government against plans to expropriate land
without compensation,saying it would be ‘disastrous’ for the economy.
“South Africa is debating an amendment to permit
the expropriation of private property without compensation. That would be
disastrous for that economy, and most importantly for the South African
people,” he was quoted by Bloomberg news agency as saying.
Pompeo argued that African economies need “strong
rule of law, respect for property rights [and] regulation that encourages
investment’‘.
South Africa’s ruling party has said it is
committed to amending the constitution to allow land expropriation without
compensation in order to tackle the “historical injustice” caused by the
white-minority rule.
Most of the country’s farms and agricultural
holdings are owned by white farmers, 72% according to government statistics.
White people make up 9% of the population.
Beware of China
In a speech at the U.N. Economic Commission for
Africa in the Ethiopian capital, Pompeo reiterated the United States’ warning
to African countries against big infrastructure projects financed by Chinese
loans.
“Countries should be wary of authoritarian regimes
with empty promises. They breed corruption, dependency,” Pompeo said in a
speech to diplomats and business leaders.
“They run the risk that the prosperity and
sovereignty and progress that Africa so needs and desperately wants won’t
happen.”
The Trump administration has repeatedly sought to
counter China’s influence on the African continent by questioning the
sustainability of China-funded projects and the ability of African nations to
repay Chinese loans.
China is Africa’s largest trading partner.
Trade deal with Kenya
Pompeo also confirmed that the United States was
seeking a free trade deal with Kenya.
“If there’s one thing you should know about our
president – my boss – you should you know that he loves deals. He wants more to
happen between the United States and nations all across Africa,” Pompeo told
business leaders.
He however did not give more details about the
negotiations that began last month.
Pompeo also hailed the free market generally,
blasting “failed socialist experiments of years past” in places like Zimbabwe
and Tanzania.
Successful trip?
While the United States is working hard to lay out
a positive vision for its cooperation with Africa, observers say president
Donald Trump’s policy on Africa undermines this.
African countries have been targeted in Trump’s
travel bans while the US is currently considering military cuts on the
continent.
“Pompeo is unlikely to undo the damage from the Trump
administration’s travel bans, the proposed budget cuts, or the president’s
disparaging comments about the region,” said Judd Devermont, Africa director at
the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a think-tank in Washington.
It is also argued that messages like Pompeo’s are
too little too late, considering the benefits that African governments have
derived from Chinese support.
“It is undeniable that Chinese investment was
quite crucial in keeping Ethiopia on track as one of the world’s fastest-growing
economies for many years,” Abel Abate Demissie, an Ethiopian political analyst
said.
Abel also argues that Chinese finance more visible
projects like roads and buildings while the Americans invest in fields like
education and health.
“The fact that Chinese loans and sometimes grants
have less bureaucracy also makes it quite convenient for Ethiopia and Africa at
large,” Abel said.
In Angola, Pompeo praised president Joao
Lourenco’s commitment to the fight against corruption, while he also pledged to
support Ethiopia’s political reforms and continue mediating the row with Egypt
over a dam on the River Nile.
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