(JustPatriots.com)- Vice President Kamala Harris started a flurry of U.S. trips to Africa on Sunday, with her first stop being Ghana. She will be there for nine days.
She will next visit Tanzania and Zambia, where she plans to work on bolstering those countries’ linkages to the African diaspora and their track record of democratic, peaceful power transitions.
Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta recently returned from Beijing, where he led discussions with the Chinese government to resolve Ghana’s worst financial crisis in decades. Godfred Alufar Bokpin, an economist and professor of finance at the University of Ghana, doubts that the government would see an immediate financial benefit from the visit.
Like Ghana, Zambia defaulted on its debt once the pandemic struck, making it the first African government to do so. The United States wants to be perceived as the more trustworthy partner, but there is a rising belief in Africa that the region should be allowed to choose its international partnerships. Zambian physician Sishuwa has spoken out against efforts to forge unique partnerships with African nations. He said that a country’s decision to seek help from China, Russia, or the United States should not be seen as a rejection of one of the three superpowers.
High-ranking US officials have said they have no plans to dictate to African nations which countries are acceptable diplomatic partners. President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia is set to co-host a virtual Summit for Democracy before welcoming Ms. Harris in the nation. The United States has been anxious to emphasize its focus on democracy in its connections with African countries. The US government claims that this, together with respect for human rights and transparent government, is the foundation of its ties to Africa.
Russia’s participation in African nations that have had coups has led to a worsening of ties with the West, while China has a policy of not interfering in the internal political affairs of other countries.
The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has increased the feeling of urgency among Western powers to gain influence in other African countries.
