President Bush has less than 12 months to go in his disastrous Presidency, and not unlike other heads of state before him, decides at the last hour that one final hurrah in Africa is the medicine that will remedy all the mistakes made along the way. I would compliment Mr. Bush if I didn't think his two 5-day tours of the African continent during his 8-year Presidency were more about trying to show a compassionate side to an American President who will forever be remembered as the man who inverted the classic adage "think first, then Act."
Globally, Bush's popularity is highest on the African continent: 82 % of people in Ivory Coast, 72 % of people in Kenya and 69 % of people in Ghana express confidence that he does the right thing in World Affairs. Much of this support comes from a policy he deserves some credit on the President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR), which has made $15 Billion USD available since 2003 to various African countries. Not so with the rest of the world: the polling in these three countries is much higher than surveys in any Arab, Asian, Latin American or European country. I notice North America was not included in the survey, but rest assured that in Canada, Mexico and even in good old America, Bush will never again poll above 50%.
My 3 Critiques of the President's Africa Agenda
The PEPFAR Initiative. There are two main criticisms that I would like to explore. The first, perhaps somewhat out of the President's total control, is that the total amount of funds are pledged, and not yet fully allocated. Not by a long shot. Much of the funding remains tied up in Congress and partisan bickering aside, I think the President could do a lot more to pressure Congress on this front. He has begun to do that on this trip. The second an perhaps more stinging critique, and a large reason why partisan bickering remains, is the controversial ABC policy (Abstinence, Be faithful, use Condoms) promulgated by the President.
This policy appeals directly to the socially conservative side of the Republican party, but it is completely misaligned with the realties of the 21st Century. Hey George, guess what? people do have sex! Even your daughters! Proponents of this unwise policy tell me that abstinence first is a guideline and not a hard and fast rule. It takes a 'balanced approach' says Mr. Bush. The truth is that any African clinic that counsels on abortion or pushes condoms too readily, will be cut-off from funding. Moreover, it strengthens the Christian zealots in Africa and feeds the stereotypes that persist in Muslim Africa about Christian offerings of aid.
The Kenyan Crisis. Kenya remains in a state of crisis, despite Kofi Annan's attempts to bring the two sides together. The President sent C. Rice to assist in the mediation efforts and she went in to her discussions with the old "carrot" and "stick" approach. Likely she promised Kenyan leaders increased financing from America and greater access to the American market and threatened the revocation of American VISAs for Kenyans aligned to any party associated with ongoing violence. Now this is not a bad approach to take in advancing international diplomacy, given that Rice lost all credibility as a respectable stateswoman following her remarks about the Israel-Lebanon war of 2006 ("Growing pains of a new Middle East").
But here's the problem. Immediately following Kenya's fraudulent election the Bush government was asleep at the wheel. Canada and European countries refused to recognize President Kibaki when he arrogantly swore himself in, knowing it would lead to bloodshed. What action did America and the US Ambassador to Kenya take? They unwisely recognized and congratulated Kibaki after he swore himself in as Kenya's President. Three days later when violence kicked up the Americans and their leader, flip-flopped. So if you are Raila Odinga the opposition leader of the Orange Democratic Movement for Change, how much would you trust Ms. Rice to keep her word after the American government formally recognized your opponent as head of state?
A lack of courage and resolve on Sudan. President Bush was in Rwanda today amplifying his message that more countries need to contribute to the joint AU/UN peacekeeping force in Sudan. Mr. Bush reiterated his government's belief that genocide was occurring in Darfur. He announced $100 million USD to help train and equip the Rwandan army, thereby strengthening the country's future peace keeping efforts. These are all positive announcements but if only Mr. Bush could apply 1% of the "resolve" and unwavering determination he has for America's mission in Iraq to combating the Janjaweed and similar organizations that commit war crimes on the citizens of Sudan.
Studying the American President's incessant rhetoric about standing up for the freedom of those citizens facing oppressive regimes, the tough talk only turns to action in strategic states such as Iraq and Afghanistan. I think this weakens his credibility on the issue considerably and shows that when the going gets tough (standing up to the Chinese on Sudan, as Mr. Spielberg courageously did last week) his government has and continues to "cut and run" on the people of Africa.
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