US influence in Africa will wane under Trump
Monday, October 2, 2017
Subject
US policy towards Africa.
Significance
A September 13 speech by US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon announced a scaled-back list of Africa policy priorities. The policy speech was the first time President Donald Trump’s administration has articulated its vision for US Africa policy. After several months of policy drift, US officials will look to the speech to help guide their decisions, shape their activities and frame their rhetoric.
Impacts
- The Trump administration’s decision to rein in US good governance promotion efforts will embolden more authoritarian leaders.
- Washington’s diplomatic capacity on the continent will deteriorate, leaving it poorly positioned to respond to various crises.
- US Africa policy will become increasingly military-driven as civilian oversight over the Defense Department and US Africa Command weakens.
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