The (Obama) Global Agenda: The Case For Sub-Saharan Africa

By Samba Tata*

The Obama campaign, true to its grassroots approach, requested input from its supporters as to how to move forward with his agenda for change. Over the past several weekends - and continuing until inauguration - house meetings are being held across the US.

So far, there have been over 4000 house meetings including the households of Africans in the Diaspora. Africans in the Diaspora (immigrants from black Africa) are most interested in the foreign policy agenda in particular as it relates to Africa south of the Sahara.  Black Africa offers immense pressing humanitarian challenges and opportunities (to make a difference).

There are the problems of poverty, hunger, disease, the lack of drinking water and physical infrastructure.The plight of Sub- Saharan Africa has, for long, been an after thought or footnote in American foreign policy. Africans in the Diaspora are clamouring for a sit at the table in regard to shaping economic and development policies for Black Africa.

Thanks to the diversity programme, there are many that are well qualified to participate. Of course, they cannot achieve this by being passive. They must not wait to be invited. They must invite themselves by using all avenues available - including this forum.

Discussions on development and economic aid should include physical infrastructure, specifically paved roads and bridges which facilitate the movement of people and goods. Clean drinking water is essential to life, good sanitation and health. We've all watched with horror the current outbreak of cholera in Zimbabwe and elsewhere because of poor drinking water.

There are thousands of villages in Africa that lack this basic necessity. A number of US-based non-profit and foundations are tackling this problem and succeeding. I am proud and delighted to know that students from my alma mater, the University of Cincinnati, spent this past Christmas vacation at their expense bringing water to the village of Rhe in Cameroon. 

More needs to be done and the US government could learn from these foundations, non-profit and student groups.Most development and economic problems that define poverty are exacerbated by continuing failed States even after several decades of independence.

These failed States are characterized by dictatorships, a lack of basic freedoms and democratic institutions, pervasive corruption, mismanagement and unfriendly business environments. There has to be change and the US can exert its moral and respected leadership to bring about change.

Poverty, along with hunger, disease and general human sufferings are recipes for instability and offer breeding grounds for terrorism.  It is in the best interest of all to improve the lives and environments in which millions of destitute Africans live.

There is euphoria and high expectation in Sub-Saharan Africa. Obama is perceived to be one of its own. As leader of the most powerful and democratic country in the world, he is expected to bring about much needed change. There is optimism about the future.

*The writer is a retired employee of Chrysler LLC in Newark, Delaware

Comments

[Ted]

It's a fact that sub-Saharan Africa or black Africa is plagued with life-threatening human made problems but unfortunately it's not part of USA and Obama is president of USA and not a leader in any country in Africa. It's also a fact that there are some countries in black Africa with their leaders who were presidents before Obama was born and are still presidents today and they will still be in office after Obama leaves office. These leaders understand how to withstand any western pressure if at all Obama has power as US president to force these African dictators out of power. The fate of black Africa lies in the hands of black Africans. They shouldn't expect Obama or any foreign leader to intervene in their countries for a political solution. What i think black Africans will want to learn from Obama is to see how he's going to pull his country out of this recession. The number of Americans losing their jobs due to this financial crisis which also erupted from the US, is rising exponentially. Companies and businesses are closing up and the country is in serious debt. I'm afraid the US will soon turn to IMF that was created for developing countries. The only good thing Obama will do to Africa is that he won't exploit his dad's continent as his predecessors have always done but he won't bring those changes these blind black African enthusiasts are blindly hoping for.

[UnitedstatesofAfrica]

Some Africans really have nerve. Look at us, sitting and crossing our legs and expecting President elect Obama to do everything for us. Was he running for the president of America or the president of Africa? tribalistic, corrupt and greedy Africans; we always want to claim what is not ours. What have you done for your neighbor? for your town? for your country? for your continent? America is facing a possible depression, a middle east fiasco and the end of their empire but yet, we expect Obama to come and solve our problems. Morons!