Washington's Africa policy still lacks a framework

Significance

President Joe Biden’s core Africa team has been in place for several months now but the development of Washington’s Africa policy appears awkwardly caught between the president’s democracy promotion agenda, his broad concern about global competition from China and lingering assumptions from the war on terror.

Impacts

• Chinese and Russian activity in countries usually seen as peripheral is becoming more significant for Washington.
• As more crises affect the Horn and the Sahel, Washington will pay greater attention to anchor countries such as Kenya and Senegal.
• In keeping with long-term trends, Africa does not appear likely to become a high priority for the Biden administration.