We look foward to a change of heart in the White House
Posted by Madibeng Kgwete: 005 November 2008
First of all, let me congratulate you on your historic election to the high office of President of the United States of America.
I would also like to congratulate the American voters for making history by electing you as the first African-American to occupy the position of president of the United States.
As you are well aware, your election comes at a time when the world economy is shrinking and America is fighting a controversial and illegal war in Iraq.
You may also be aware that the international community, and the African continent in particular, has welcomed your election with the hope that the imminent change of leadership in the White House will bring about a change in the manner in which America has related with friends and foes abroad.
Because of your history as a descendent of the Kenyan people, we Africans see you as one of us. We therefore look forward not only to a change of leadership at the White House, but also a change of heart in the manner in which America relates with Africa.
In your victory speech, you mentioned that change has come to America. We in Africa would also appreciate it if the winds of change blowing in America could also blow towards our continent – which is also your ancestral home.
I am particularly keenly waiting to see what will guide your foreign policy towards Africa, your ancestral home and therefore your continent as well. Up to now, American foreign policy towards Africa has been guided mainly by self-interest, selective justice and double standards.
For example:
(a) In America, funding of political parties by foreigners is prohibited. However, America funds opposition political parties in African countries. The most obvious example is Zimbabwe.
(b) America preaches freedom and equality internationally, but the same America and her allies reject efforts to democratise the United Nations (UN), particularly the UN Security Council.
No other continent has as many members at the UN as Africa. Yet, Africa is the only continent without a permanent seat at the powerful UN Security Council.
(c) America is a fervent advocate of peace, security and prosperity. Yet, at a time when the world’s poor are getting poorer and hungrier, America continues to spend trillions of American taxpayers’ money buying weapons.
(d) Africa is rich in natural resources, ranging from minerals to agricultural products. However, America and her allies at the World Trade Organisation and other international gatherings continue to negotiate unfair trade deals favoring the rich and powerful over the poor and vulnerable countries, most of which are African.
(e) The American constitution emphasises justice and equality as being amongst the basic tenets of freedom. Yet, in practice, America and her allies have sponsored efforts to apply selective justice at the International Criminal Court and other juristic bodies.
Your soon-to-be predecessor, President George W. Bush, has damaged America’s reputation internationally with his “war on terror” – arming the troops with weapons to fight an ideology oversees.
We in Africa are now elated that a man we can easily associate with has been elected to the high office of the President of the United States of America. We therefore look forward to change – change of leadership style and change of heart in the White House.
Under your able leadership, we in Africa – your ancestral home – look forward to a US that not only preaches but also practices freedom, equality, peace, security and justice at home and abroad.
