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Dr. Sanders answering Questions
on Global Issues |
U.S. Policy Toward Africa: What is it &
Why It is Important in Today's Global Context
Speech by
Ambassador Robin Renee Sanders
Benedictine
University, Chicago, October
29, 2015
The New Global Community
-- Today we are in the midst of a
global environment quite different than it was 10 years ago, 5 years ago, or
even from last year. We also live in a global context that is a dichotomy: one
with opportunities offered through technological advancement that help us live
our lives better, longer, and differently, but we also live in a world with
great insecurity, extreme poverty and many of humankind living in desperate
conditions.
-- Coming with this dynamic, global
context is also a sense of uncertainty as there are more challenges, an uptick in more unintended and intended
consequences to geo-political actions, and new state and non-state actors, who
see the world not only differently, but have a different playbook, and play by
different rules. Many, of which, we do
not understand here in the West.
-- If you are following the international news today you can see
how much the world has changed just this year with the continued surge of the
Islamic State (or IS); the massive influx of refugees and migrants into Europe
as a result of conflicts in Libya and Syria; the continued tensions in eastern
Ukraine; ongoing conflicts in both Iraq and Afghanistan; and what I call the "Sahel extremism belt," running from Tunis-to-Northeastern
Nigerian, Mali, and Niger-over to-Kenya, Somalia, and parts of Tanzania.
-- Even though we are living in extraordinary times with these
extraordinary, daunting world challenges, the U.S. can still make a positive
difference. What I mean is despite the challenges in the current global
context; the U.S. can have …. and nourish positive relationships.
-- Yes, there is a segment of the world population, in some
quarters, particular within extremists groups, that see our values and way of
life as a negative, or what I believe and have seen first-hand and would describe as "the essence of a clash of civilizations" – were our
values, way of life is contrary to their socio-political views and actions Unfortunately
in the last few years these differences have manifested themselves into
horrible acts of terrorism.
-- That being said, the good news is ….. that there are new
partners out there, politically, culturally and economically with which the
U.S. can further engage for the long term, despite these turbulent times. I
would argue that Africa is one of those world regions.
Africa Emerging Continent, African
Leader Nations:
-- So let’ start with answering these questions – why is this
region important, and what does this region mean for and to the United States of
America as a strategic political, economic, investment and cultural partner. In
other words: What are the elements of a US-Africa
relationship?
-- If we look at the main themes of current US-Africa relationship,
I believe you will see why the Region is vital to the U.S. now and for the
foreseeable future:
-- The overarching themes of the current U.S. Government -Africa
relationships are:
-- Investing in Africa’s future;
-- Peace and Regional Stability; and,
--
Governing for the Next Generation (meaning focusing on Africa's youth and its
future leaders);
-- It's all about demographics, really. But let me be clear when
I say demographics I am not talking strictly about population figures (although
key), but I see regional demographics as a national security issue and a national
strategic foreign policy issue. Thus, what I mean by demographics is – everything measurable and
non-measurable (e.g. perceptions) that impacts outcomes and geo-political
relationships – this includes in addition to population sizes and breakdowns by
age and gender:
·
world resource quantities and where they are the region in the world
they are located (i.e. where the oil, timber, jobs, lack of jobs, etc., land
and water resources are to;
·
In-country regional and religious differences or groups that might
impact world views, encourage conflicts, affect perceptions of an action or
statement/cartoons (French, Danish examples); and,
·
The “Singularity” of individual influences (e.g. Pope Francis=positive,
Putin=challenge)
Overall, these are the basket
of demographic elements that require the U.S. to see Africa today as an
important Region to engage with properly and to cultivate positive partnerships.
A Closer Look @ SSAfrica's
Geo-Political Demographics:
Taking a closer looks at the specific figures here are some to
help put the basket of Africa's
demographics into perspective as to the …. what, … the why, …. the needs,
and the good news. (Need to note that when I talk about Africa, primarily highlight the
48 countries in Sub-Saharan Region)
Let's start with the population figures in more detail and go
from there:
-- Africa’s population today is reportedly
1.1 billion people and
it is on course to reach 2.4 billion people by 2050. Its current average yearly growth rate is 2.45 per cent, which
will likely be higher than that over the next decades.
--The most significant sub-figure, in
the population numbers I just cited, is the figure on youth/young people (ages
10-34), representing about 50 percent
(or 600 million people). This figure will continue to grow over the next
two decades. I am emphasizing this sub-figure because I see it as Africa's "population
dividend." Meaning for me it is a positive (but of course it has the
potential to be problematic if certain development sectors are not addressed
more).
The
Continent's population stats will move Africa, in the next decade, from the third most populated region
in the world to the largest. But, most
of its people could remain below the poverty or extreme poverty level if
current development efforts do not triple.
-- Here is some additional context for you to consider:
-- 75 million –
current number of young Africans looking for work now, out of the 1.2 billion
working age population world-wide also looking for work; Unemployment is
also a world-wide youth issue.
-- 10 million
– number of young Africans of working age added yearly to the 75 million
already seeking jobs[/employment according to the
African Union (Political Body of African States)];
-- 547 million – number
of Africans living without electricity and energy;
-- $1.25 – average amount many Africans live on
per day, with no hopes to change this[, and few
opportunities to improve the quality of life for their families, have access to
education, clean water, and face challenges of poverty every single day;]
-- 847 million/1.2billion – is the
current number of hungry people and/or people living in fear of hunger in the
world today (this includes those in the U.S.);
-- 239 million
of those who are hungry everyday live on the African Continent. (A bit of good
news is this 847 million figure is 209 million less
than two years ago);[i]
-- 3 per cent – number of African adults with credit cards; only
a quarter of young African Adults have accounts at a formal financial
institution;
[I was at the United
Nations this session, as many of you who were in class session with me this
week, heard me talk about how critical this year was for the 197 countries at
the UN as they reviewed where development efforts where as a result of the
Millennium Development Goals which ran from 2000-2015 and the transition to the
new Sustainable Development Goals or SDG's, running from 2015-2030, which hope
to further cut these pillars of extreme poverty. There are five overarching SDG
goals covering many of the extreme poverty issues I have just mentioned]
This being said, I want to remind
you that I am providing the context as to why Africa is important and that
comes with explaining the challenges, which I have just done, but also sharing with
you the positives
Here are Some of The Positives:
-- 7 out of the 10 fastest
growing economics in the world are in Africa, although these economic gains are
yet to reach a lot of the masses. however, the
lives and prospects of some have changed, are changing and producing a growing
middle class). However trickle-down economics must come into play more to
change the lives of the masses;
-- 90 million people
in the middle (or consuming) class, largest number the region has ever had, up
by 31 million in last
10 years;
-- 736 million –
represents the number of mobile phones in Africa of which Nigeria has 100 million. Africa is the most mobile-ly connected region
in the world.
(One billion mobile
phones on the Continent (NB: World Bank notes six billion mobiles world-wide of which 5 billion are in
the developing world, combining Asia, Africa, and Latin America);
-- 250 million Africans have bank accounts; and,
-- Last but not least, the region
has collectively and potentially a $50 trillion[iii] dollar economy – making it one of the
largest potential markets for U.S. goods, services, investment, trade, and
business relationships.
-- In addition, today there are key Africa nations that see the U.S. in a
positive light, particularly key economic and political powerhouse leader
nations such as South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Botswana, Kenya,
Rwanda, Mozambique, and many others.
-- As noted above, I am arguing that these demographics are
strategic issues for the United States as it looks forward in the 21st Century.
Because ….the types of relationships that the U.S. forges with the Continent
over the next decades will be increasingly more important given the global
context we live in today. Why? Because we will need:
·
New and Strong Allies,
·
Partners on Policy, Partners to build coalitions;
·
Support International arenas such as the United Nations, World
Trade Organization, Organization of Islamic States, African Union, APEC, G-77, and
G-8;
·
New markets for business and investment
·
Expand and deepen cultural and educational ties
-- Africa is one of the new frontiers now for our policies for
these important elements of geo-politics, diplomacy, counter-terrorism,
emerging markets, and partners in international fora.
-- Thus, the U.S.
leadership is now focusing more on the region in a way that it never did before
– comprehensively and strategically but most importantly in partnership.
Actions and steps over the last 10 years - in my estimation – have truly laid a
better foundation for the positive footing between the U.S. and Africa Today.
-- Today we have a range of U.S. programs, strategic
partnerships, and educational program, economic and investment relationships
laying the foundation for greater and more comprehensive relations.
So much so that the President hosted in summer 2014 the
first-ever U.S. Africa Summit (never done by any U.S. President, sitting or
otherwise), inviting all the African heads of State to the United States for a
comprehensive forum to discuss democracy, economic, human rights, and
investment issues. He will also hold another business summit with African
nations in 2016.
NEXT STEPS?
-- So what are the next steps?
How do we expand the elements highlighted above and build on the current US-Africa relationship to
secure a positive relationship with Africa’s large "basket
of demographics," particularly since half of the Continent will be
under the age of 35 – in prime education
years, prime wage-earning years, prime years to be influenced by new partners.
-- -- Keep in mind, however, my introductory comments as to the
current challenges the U.S. faces with some in this age group in certain parts
of the world. Let us not also forget that there are similar sentiments of
disenfranchisement right here at home, in the United Kingdom, France, and
Australia given some of the terrorist incidences that have happened this year where
there has been an attraction to join –even in a "lone wolf capacity" - the Islamic State, Somalia’s Al
Shabaab, or Al Qaeda inspired groups like AQIM in North Africa or AQAP in the
Arabian Peninsula).
-- Given that Africa has this growing "population
dividend" that I described above, we have a role to ensure as much of a "quality
of life level playing field" on issues – such as reducing extreme poverty,
providing educational opportunities, adequate health care, food security, and affordable
housing. (many of these adopted at this September's UN Sustainable 2015-2030
Development Goals Sessions) – so that we can expand our ability to not only have
new allies, strong partnerships, and policy and economic relationships,
--But because our efforts in this regard will also
"help" (but will not totally stem) the possible attraction of people in
the (10-34) age range to extremist groups, but more importantly it is the right
thing to do and in line with U.S. values, and our historical posture of caring
about the well-being of people all over the world.
-- Rest assured I am not diminishing the need for us to address
our own domestic issues of extreme poverty right here at home. (which, includes things from adequate healthcare-to-unemployment-to-education-to-food
security and affordable housing, as we should probably have a similar SDG
initiative focused just on our domestic poverty challenges.
So, I want you to keep these 4 things
in mind:
·
Appreciate the range of demographics I
have shared on Africa's "population dividend," and the positives on economics,
political and natural resources areas;
· Note
that ….how the U.S. is viewed is connected to the assistance we provide to Africa's
development issues [and having new allies,
coalition partnerships, and support in international arenas.]
· Ensure that the next generation of
young Africans sees the U.S. as a friend even if differences may arise on some
policy points from time-to-time.
· Remember that there are 1.6 million Africans in the Diaspora
here in the United States, who are here because they believe in our values and
our system.
Thus, these are the "why's" as to Africa's importance
to the United State.
-- However, I do not believe we need
to be constant allies on every single issue, but we need to understand and
respect their human cultural differences and their “new global think” enough so
that when we do need their allegiance on key international issues, we have a
better idea of how to achieve our goal, or handle it, if we don't get their
support. We have to keep in mind it is a two-way street --meaning we also
need to listen better to Africa's perspectives in times of policy disagreement.
U.S.
Help on Africa's Development?
In order to truly capitalize on the dividends and continue to
build a stronger US-Africa relationship, I think the U.S. can continue to do
the following, but also put more emphasis on few things:
-- Combating
Poverty and Hunger, Improve Health Systems; we have programs such as FEED the
Future, Ebola, Pepfar (HIV) and Malaria Initiatives; particularly for at-risk groups such as women, girls, youth,
the disabled, and elderly, internal displaced person from conflicts.
-- Using
Information Technology to develop more “work around solutions to social,
health, financial literacy(see Operation HOPE), and educational access using IT innovation as well as the 736 million
mobile phones on the Continent to do so; Africa Region has the largest number
of mobile phones in the world;
--
Assist with climate smart agricultural/food security solutions, and developing
climate smart energy answers to bring electricity and energy to the 547 million
Africans without it today; Power Africa, and solar solutions are efforts in
this area;
-- Work with governments to continue to improve transparency in
political and economic processes to ensure good governance, reduce corruption
efforts, and the capacity of government institutions to handle their nation's
social sector needs;
--
Assist with access to education (includes vocational and other training); we
have the "Young African Leaders' Initiative, Yali, other educational
exchange and training programs;
Where we could do more:
-- Help
with the housing deficit (if you are poor you are also likely not to have good
shelters);
-- [One
of my biggest issues] Expand the number of Small and Medium Size Enterprises
(SMEs) as this will help build the Continent’s middle class from its current 90
million, and increase the number of SMEs from the current 331 million.
-- We
all have heard that there are 280 million SMEs in the US, which help make up
our middle class and are the backbone of our society; for Africa that role
would be no different. We do some SME, entrepreneurial training, through the
President's Entrepreneurial Initiative, African Diaspora Market Place (ADM), Global
Development Lab, and some other on-ground programs, but think we need to do
more in these areas, and restart providing vocational training.
-- We, or any other donor,
are not going to be able to provide enough formal jobs for the large number of
African youth looking for jobs – remember I said 74 million today, 10 million
more young people of working age being added to that figure every year.
-- So I believe having a living
wage through being an entrepreneur or owning a SME, or having a vocational
skill so that one is able to securely provide for one’s self and/or families
are key options for more robust U.S. Remember
this will be 600 million young people in the 10-34 years age group.
So How do We Engage?
--Fundamentally, we must engage differently than we have in the
past with foreign partners; we must listen more; understand human cultural
differences, and that each country may have its own path to further solidifying
its own democracy. The question is how we assist, if asked to help, while also
taking care of some of the same issues right here at home.
-- We can seek to share our values and principles without
appearing heavy-handed, and unconcerned about the plight that everyday people
face with the searing demographics I just mentioned.
-- I do believe that there are global human values that most
people hold dear: they want to be able to feed, clothes and house their
families; live with dignity and respect for human rights, and earn a living
wage. [have access to adequate health systems and affordable housing;
provide education for their children; and earn a living wage through job
creation or through entrepreneurial expression.
-- They want their governments to also be a voice for the
voiceless, support having a free press, demonstrate good governance, and ensure
a reduction/elimination of corruption.
And,
-- Being treated with
dignity and respect in pursuit of the above. (Global Dignity - percepts by
Operation Hope:
i.e. Every human being
has a right to lead a dignified life; fulfill one’s potential and access to a
human level of health care, education, income and security.
Thinking Ahead/Think In Time
on The US-Africa:
-- As
we in the United States lean forward on these challenges I have highlighted, or
look out ahead… at the "basket of Africa's
demographics" and the "array
of today’s geo-political issues," we need to ensure that Africa continues to
move up on our list of key places to be fully engaged at all levels.
So on my "Lean Forward," list I have these four things:
1.
Think
about building more relations based on
partnerships (country-to-country, community-to-community, people-to-people);
2.
Think
about the strategic long term with these emerging African nations, its leaders,
and its people, particularly its young people. This also applies locally. As
you look at your communities and what long term strategic planning you would/could
do?
3.
Think in Time – Think in parallel and
also strategically about the times in which we live; [What is happening now
that is impacting lives, and if that “what” remains the same or changes are
there a long term implications.
And last but certainly not least
4. Think about History
- Draw on lessons learned from history in
the process [of doing 1, 2, and 3].
Here is a "Quick
List Check" of some of the main issues I have talked about this evening.
People want to:
-- be able to feed,
clothes and house their families;
-- live with dignity and have
respect for their human rights;
-- have access to
affordable health care, and education for their children;
-- earn a living wage
through job creation or through entrepreneurial, SME, or vocational expression;
-- live in a country with
political transparency, a free press and good governance within recognized
legal and regulatory frameworks, have strong domestic institutions; and, a
have reduction/elimination in corruption;
Our Global Context:
-- Does include "a
clash of civilizations," or world perceptions different from extremists
groups
--Africa is and can
further be strong partner to the US given the "population dividend"
and other key market and resource demographics
In concluding,
To the Benedictine University students
here this evening, I know that your intervening college years here, will
provide you with the building blocks to become global, domestic, community or
family leaders. I hope in the midst of your time here integrity, fairness, and
respect for other cultures are also key “take aways.” I hope that what I have shared with you tonight
about global development needs (all applicable domestically) and human dignity expand
your thinking about both the world stage
and the domestic front, and particularly about why Africa is important to the
U.S.
It is a complicated,
tough global environment we live in today and it is constantly changing. You,
as future leaders, will need to understand and try to address these changes
without losing the sense of who you are as a person -- if you are working at
the domestic community level -- or who we are as a nation if you happen to be
on the global stage.
Think Smart about
the global context we are in today; Think Smart about
the future as you will be part of the new global leadership (at any of these stages -- community, family, world
levels), and Think Smart about shaping the new global environment
… Because you will will have a role in what it will look like …. and
certainly what it will be like! Thank You
A FEEEDS Blogspot
Endnotes:
[i] 9/19/14
CCTV TV live newscast, Miriam Kalma reporting)
[ii] CCTV
9/19/14 live TV newscast Africa Live Report
[iii] UN Week
2014, McKinsey Session on Nigeria, Remarks by Director Richard Dobbs, New York
Palace Hotel, N.Y.
[iv] U.S.
Small Business Regional III Advocate Official Speech, July 10, 2014, Gallup
Headquarters, Washington, D.C. at the FEEEDS-Gallup &
Partners,US-Africa Summit Forum
[v]
2012 speech, Commandant Eisenhower Resources College, National Defense
University, Washington, D.C. on occasion of ICAF College name change
