America-Africa Leader’s Summit scheduled to take place on August 4th-6th is a great opportunity for both America and Africa to renew their relationship and also to strategize the new path for their cooperation and partnership. America has been Africa’s traditional partner in economic and political development.  It has also been instrumental in the implementation of Millennium Goal Development (MDG’s) projects in areas of education, health, agriculture and trade.

The recent lost glory between Africa and the US due to geopolitical issues and the indicting of certain African leaders by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for committing crimes against humanity has been critical and has had adverse effects to the development of most African countries creating serious economic and political setbacks.

China’s influence over Africa has risen in the recent past due to the lackluster relationship between Africa and its other traditional partners like America, Europe and Japan. Although Africa has been looking East, it is not clear how much Africa has achieved in terms of political development because China’s relationship with Africa is purely on business and trade.

The US should not renew its relationship with Africa simply to counter China’s influence as that is likely to create political setbacks in several African countries where leadership is still autocratic and not democratic. Like other European partners who cherish democracy and the rule of law, America should not relent in demanding for good governance practice among African leaders. Africa cannot remain dark and backward forever because of bad leadership and corruption.

Most African countries are celebrating fifty years after independence and have every opportunity to enhance the development of their people just like other developed and developing nations in the world.

The US-Africa Leader’s Summit will only have a meaning if African leaders take advantage of it for the benefit of their own people. America is a world power with lots of opportunities and advantages that Africa can benefit from. As much as the US also has a lot to gain from such relationship, Africa stands a better chance to benefit if it remains focused and understand the US policy well.

The US- Africa Leader’s Summit is not unique. China, Japan, and the European Union have held similar forums in the past to enhance partnership with Africa. It is upon Africa to take advantage of such cooperation and friendship with developed countries to advance their interests for the benefit of the African people. Such international forums provide excellent opportunities for African leaders to expedite and present a continental agenda on the table for discussions.

Africa faces serious challenges that require immediate solutions. Such challenges range from internal conflicts as a result of power struggles, tribalism, nepotism, unemployment, diseases, poverty, bad governance, corruption, and insecurity as a result of terrorism and religious extremism.

The US- Africa Leaders’ Summit like other such international forums provide Africa with an opportunity to revitalize itself and to review challenges and opportunities necessary for its economic, political and social growth.

By Denise A. O. Kodhe,
Director- General, Institute for Democracy & Leadership in Africa- (IDEA) Nairobi, Kenya.