Hillary Clinton’s statement to the senators at her confirmation hearing, required for appointment as the next Secretary of State in the Barack Obama presidency, gives a sneak preview at the direction that US foreign policy will take over the next four years. While the transcript sets out her overview of the global approach and is well worth reading, my focus is on her thoughts on Africa.
What becomes clear from the outset is that in respect of this continent, three trouble spots have become front and centre in the minds of the incoming administration; Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia; cholera, rape and piracy run amok.
“Always, and especially in the crucible of these global challenges, our overriding duty is to protect and advance America’s security, interests, and values: first, we must keep our people, our nation and our allies secure. Second, we must promote economic growth and shared prosperity at home and abroad. Finally, we must strengthen America’s position of global leadership – ensuring that we remain a positive force in the world, whether in working to preserve the health of our planet or expanding dignity and opportunity for people on the margins whose progress and prosperity will add to our own.
“The president-elect and I believe that foreign policy must be based on a marriage of principles and pragmatism, not rigid ideology. On facts and evidence, not emotion or prejudice. Our security, our vitality and our ability to lead in today’s world oblige us to recognize the overwhelming fact of our interdependence.
“I believe that American leadership has been wanting, but is still wanted. We must use what has been called “smart power,” the full range of tools at our disposal — diplomatic, economic, military, political, legal and cultural — picking the right tool, or combination of tools, for each situation. With smart power, diplomacy will be the vanguard of foreign policy. This is not a radical idea. The ancient Roman poet Terence, who was born a slave and rose to become one of the great voices of his time, declared, “in every endeavor, the seemly course for wise men is to try persuasion first.” The same truth binds wise women as well.” (Hillary Clinton)
There can be no doubt in anyone’s mind that Obama plans to disengage the US from Iraq, Afghanistan and as many other military operations as circumstances allow. He will, however, be guided and limited by the geo-political realities that are confronting him even now. Just by way of example the desire to close Guantanamo Bay is being delayed while “homes” are being found within the system or attempts are made to repatriate inmates to their reluctant country of origin.
As Clinton says, diplomacy and a host of other “tools” will be employed to achieve the goal of making the USA a “smart power”, which seeks to project power in a responsible way by primarily seeking to build relationships with other countries. However, make no mistake, should attempts at “persuasion” fail, Obama will prove to be a far more formidable opponent for those with hostile intentions than the seemingly bellicose George W Bush.
” In Africa, the foreign policy objectives of the Obama administration are rooted in security, political, economic, and humanitarian interests, including: combating al Qaeda’s efforts to seek safe havens in failed states in the Horn of Africa; helping African nations to conserve their natural resources and reap fair benefits from them; stopping war in Congo; ending autocracy in Zimbabwe and human devastation in Darfur; supporting African democracies like South Africa and Ghana, which just had its second change of power in democratic elections; and working aggressively to reach the Millennium Development Goals in health, education, and economic opportunity.” (Hillary Clinton)
In terms of Zimbabwe I believe that the SADC and even the parties of that strife torn country will battle to convince the new president that there is a place for Mugabe in the new government. While they may accept that a power-sharing arrangement is desirable it will have to be sans Bob as far as they are concerned. Obama’s only official take on Mugabe has been to declare his regime illegitimate. In terms of Somalia the issue of the surge by Islamic extremists and piracy will be given priority. Calls have already gone out to replace the Ethopian troops who have just withdrawn with a UN force.
DR Congo is going to prove to be a prickly pear with the Ugandan LRA rebels stirring up trouble in the DRC, Southern Sudan, Central African Republic and of course Uganda. Throw in Rwandan support for Tutsi rebels and DRC support for Hutu rebels and you have a nightmare in the eastern half of the country. The wealth of resources has also resulted in substantial corporate involvement, which the State Department will need to bring under control if a solution is to be found.
Darfur where China has vested interests may prove sticky when the USA seeks to prosecute those involved in the recent genocide. China has already been lobbying for support in holding off on referring the matter to the International Criminal Courts. I trust the USA will point out to Russia and China that, where a humanitarian crisis such as Zimbabwe and Darfur has arisen, the right thing to do when the UN wants to pass a resolution in order to act is to abstain like they did in Gaza. Zimbabweans are still paying for the infamy of Russia, China and South Africa.
Fortunately it appears that, despite our less than glorious foreign policy, the USA considers South Africa as a democracy worthy of encouraging and establishing a long- term relationship.
“But here again, as we work to repair the damage, we can find new ways of working together. For too long we have merely talked about the need to engage emerging powers in global economic governance; the time to take action is upon us. The recent G-20 meeting was a first step, but developing patterns of sustained engagement will take hard work and careful negotiation. We know that emerging markets like China, India, Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia are feeling the effects of the current crisis. We all stand to benefit in both the short and long-term if they are part of the solution, and become partners in maintaining global economic stability.” (Hillary Clinton)
Senator Clinton goes to great lengths to confirm the important role that the USA plays in helping the countries of the world in dealing with poverty, illness and a myriad other problems. There is an acceptance that this “obligation” is something that the new administration takes very seriously. It is heartwarming to see not only her approach to Africa, but also the high regard that she has for South Africa.
Let us hope and pray that in this, the year of our own elections, we start to act like a responsible regional power and merit the credit that she has given us.
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