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Trump wants to do business with Africa, but ignores important countries
Trump invites selected African leaders to a summit to counter China's influence. But major economies remain excluded. What does this mean for the future of US-Africa relations?
Trump wants to do business with Africa, but ignores important countries
The White House is hosting an unofficial “African Leaders” summit this week. But of the continent's 55 countries, only five have been invited.
The invited African delegation
Liberia's president announced he is one of five African heads of state summoned by US President Donald Trump to a "high-level summit" in Washington, D.C. were invited. The aim of the meeting is to deepen diplomatic relations, advance shared economic goals and strengthen security cooperation between Washington and “selected African nations”. Other heads of state invited include the presidents of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania and Senegal.
Missing important players
What is exciting is that none of Africa's major economic players, such as South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt or Ethiopia, were invited to the summit. These countries are part of the BRICS group, which consists of emerging economies such as Brazil, India as well as Russia and China, which face the USA. Analysts agree that Trump's choice of guests presents a mystery, describing the shift in U.S. policy toward the continent as a "high-risk gamble."
Was Trump looking for results?
Christopher Afoke Isike, a professor of African politics and international relations at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, called Trump's hand-picked guests an "easy target" in his bid to roll back China and Russia's influence in Africa. Will this summit serve to find a diplomatic solution that advances American interests in Africa?
The interests of the invited countries
Despite their smaller economies, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Senegal and Liberia are rich in mineral resources such as oil, gas, gold, iron ore and rare earths. These nations are also often starting points for migrants wanting to come to the USA. Ousmane Sene, head of the West Africa Research Center (WARC), argues that talks at the summit will not only concern trade, but also include migration flows and security issues.
The geopolitical landscape of Africa
China is considered Africa's largest bilateral trading partner, while Russia is expanding its presence on the continent and acting as a main supplier of military technology. The relationship between these small economic players and the big powers is not new. The five invited countries had already maintained close relations with China in the past.
What can the five countries expect?
According to journalist and political analyst Mamadou Thior, the leaders of the five African countries need to be smart in their negotiations. USAID, once an important partner for countries like Senegal, no longer exists. The responsibility now lies with the leaders of these countries to negotiate new cooperation opportunities.
Analysts like Isike believe this meeting could usher in a new, transactional diplomatic model of U.S. engagement. The American government may be interested in private sector partnerships, investments, infrastructure development and security cooperation.
Conclusion
In summary, Trump's invitation to the five African states represents both an opportunity and a challenge. Affected countries must negotiate skillfully to protect their interests in a geopolitically complex landscape as the United States seeks to redefine its influence in Africa.