In the United States, Donald Trump won the presidential election. The Republican is offering himself a second term in the White House. This American election is, of course, followed all over the world, particularly across the African continent. The reactions are pouring in. What will this new mandate change for Africa? What to remember about African policy during his first term?
We all remember the derogatory comments made by Donald Trump during his visit to the White House. He then qualified Haiti and African nations of ” shitty country ». Which sparked indignation on the continent.
But apart from this incident, President Donald Trump had shown little interest in Africa. During his first term from 2016 to 2020, Donald Trump made no official visit there, unlike his predecessors. President Barack Obama visited 7 African countries, Republican George W. Bush visited 11.
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Even members of the Trump administration have traveled little on the continent. His principal secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, only made one trip to Senegal and Ethiopia, at the very end of Donald Trump’s first term.
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A bit out of obligation, said some researchers, to try to counter Chinese competition, particularly economic competition. And yet, despite this lack of displayed interest from Donald Trump, his administration’s African policy has been consistent. As in the past, it was mainly a question of stimulating investment and increasing trade with Africa. Moreover, during his presidency, Donald Trump maintained the budgets allocated to Africa.
Continuity will also have been on the security level, where the Trump administration has maintained its support for several countries in their fight against the jihadist threat, while significantly reducing the American military presence on the continent.
A ” great victory » for Félix Tshisekedi
However, there were numerous reactions this Wednesday morning across the African continent, congratulations to Donald Trump from Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye. In Kinshasa, Félix Tshisekedi, president of the DRCwelcomed this election by speaking of a “ great victory », reports Patient Ligodiour correspondent.
The Congolese head of state said he was ready to collaborate with the new elected American president and to strengthen what he describes as a strategic partnership between the DRC and the United States, countries which, according to him, “ already maintain good friendly and cooperative relations “. The entourage of Felix Tshisekedi also expressed hope for increased US involvement in the search for peace in eastern DRC.
For their part, few Congolese media have, until now, covered the American election in depth. The television sets remained discreet. Few experts were invited to comment on the American election. It is on social networks that the enthusiasm for the American elections is most visible.
On Congolese social networks, the debate focuses on the figure of Donald Trump, sparking comments, debates and sometimes even humorous memes. This morning, in the taxi buses of Kinshasa, discussions were going well on the vote. Some passengers exchanged opinions on Trump, debating his flamboyant personality.
Negative economic consequences in South Africa?
The South African president congratulated Donald Trump, even if this result does not necessarily bode well for the country. In his message, Cyril Ramaphosa hopes that the “ close and mutually beneficial collaboration » between the two nations can continue, and wishes to work in concert with the American government while South Africa then the United States will host the G20 in 2025 and 2026, reports Claire Bargelèsour correspondent in Johannesburg.
However, the country doesn’t really have fond memories of Donald Trump. Before his first term, he claimed on his social networks that the rainbow nation was a country “ravaged by crime”, or even a “ total mess and very dangerous “. Then, once in power, he began to denounce what he calls the “ confiscation of land from white farmers », surfing on the theories of white genocide also shared by Elon Musk.
This prompted the South African presidency to condemn comments “ unhappy and uninformed“. The results of these elections should therefore not, a priori, facilitate relations between the two countries.
This election could even have negative consequences on the economic level for South Africa. The rand, the South African currency, also experienced a significant drop this morning. And this could continue, analysts say, due to the uncertainty surrounding Donald Trump’s future policies.
The standoff with China should also have consequences, since Beijing is Pretoria’s leading trading partner, just ahead of Washington. Finally, Donald Trump’s new protectionist program could directly affect South Africa, which is frowned upon by some Republicans because of its links with the BRICS and its support for the Palestinian cause.
Also see what will become of its advantages linked to AGOA, this agreement which allows African products to be exported to the United States without customs duties, and which benefits South African sectors such as automotive equipment, chemicals, and agricultural products such as citrus fruits or wine.
In Senegal, fatalism and no particular fears
Official congratulations to Donald Trump came this morning from the President of Guinea-Bissau. Oumarou Cissoco Emballo wishes Donald Trump every success for his mandate and says he is delighted to strengthen relations between the two countries with him.
At Senegalan important diplomatic partner for the United States given its stability in the region, there was no official reaction as of midday.
The presidential camp is in the middle of the campaign for crucial legislative elections to win a majority in the Assembly, which is perhaps the reason for this delay. In the meantime, among activists and supporters of the ruling party, we welcome this victory with fatalism and without particular fear, reports Léa-Lisa Westerhoffour correspondent in Dakar.
In 2016, there was some concern, he told RFI a member of FRAPP, this anti-imperialist movement close to the ruling party, Pastef. The concern to see Donald Trump’s nationalist and racist discourse taken to Senegal for example.
But today, said this activist, “ we know who we are dealing with. We know that there are no expectations in terms of international solidarity, but also no animosity towards Senegal. “.
A similar analysis from the professor of American civilization, Ousmane Sène. The first election of Donald Trump in 2016 did not disrupt the relationship between Senegal and the United States.
American development programs for Senegal have remained the same, as has the diplomatic relationship which is good. It must be said that the United States is not a major investor or trading partner of Senegal. The country remains far behind Europe, China and Turkey.
The fear is more at the geopolitical level, that Donald Trump could oppose, for example, Africa’s request to have one or two permanent seats in the United Nations, while Joe Biden agreed, or even that Trump can exit the climate agreement. Decisions which in turn would have negative consequences for Africa.
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