- Throughout the Atlantic, Africans even have a vested curiosity within the end result of the US election.
- The newest polls present that the present vp and Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris, has a slight, one-point lead, with Republican and former president, Donald Trump, a really shut second.
- The election end result will carry a lot of implications on African economies provided that the US is likely one of the predominant buying and selling companions.
On Tuesday 5 November, People will solid their votes to elect the 47th president of the US of America. The newest polls present that the present vp and Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris, has a slight, one-point lead, with Republican and former president, Donald Trump, a really shut second. This can be a neck-and-neck race with no sure end result, and the world waits to see who will lead the final world superpower from 2025 to 2029.
Throughout the Atlantic, Africans even have a vested curiosity within the election’s end result. Here’s what two political consultants from the North-West College (NWU) in South Africa should say about what a Trump or Harris victory will imply for the continent.
Prof Kedibone Phago, director of the NWU’s College for Authorities Research states: “We’ve already observed a number of of Donald Trump’s home and overseas coverage positions that largely prioritises the US throughout his earlier administration. He targeted his consideration on rising the US financial system. This additionally occurred towards a backdrop of a number of threats to cut back funding for worldwide our bodies such because the World Well being Group (WHO), North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), and related preparations. His deal with the US financial system, immigration, conflicts, and local weather change is anticipated to be extra aggressive.”
Key points relating to Africa
There are at the least two key points to contemplate relating to Africa. The primary is the African Progress and Alternative Act (AGOA), a commerce settlement between African nations and the US that enables duty-free entry to US markets. South Africa is a significant beneficiary, and its participation is basically a lifeline for AGOA. Excluding South Africa from AGOA could be each meaningless and counterproductive, although a Trump presidency may be anticipated to threaten this settlement.
Secondly, the US is likely one of the predominant buying and selling companions for a lot of African nations. A Trump presidency might imply that some African nations’ geopolitical positioning could also be put underneath immense stress to both select buddies and allies of the US to take care of beneficial and pleasant relations with the US.”
Kamala Harris is presently the vp representing the Democratic Get together and is prone to retain most insurance policies of the Biden administration. She has already visited Africa, projecting a constructive stance of her administration in the direction of the continent. She is anticipated to assist the continuation of AGOA with eligible African states which might be benefiting from this settlement.”
Dr Sysman Motloung, Political and worldwide relations professional notes: “The 2024 US elections deal with points surrounding racism and sexism, with some alleging that Donald Trump embodies these values, versus the restoration of reproductive rights, together with abortion, championed by Kamala Harris. Trump has additionally been blamed for disrupting abortion rights within the US. Nevertheless, he claims to guard ladies by addressing unlawful border crossings and crime.”
The US elections are a home affair, with each presidential candidates making robust statements to painting one another as unfit for the White Home. Kamala Harris describes Trump as ‘unhinged’, a ‘fascist’, a ‘Nazi’, and even compares him to Hitler, whereas Trump retorts by labelling Harris a fascist.
Take South Africa for instance. For us South Africans observing this political discourse, it’s harking back to native rhetoric, the place phrases like ‘rented black’, ‘anti-revolutionary’, and amasela (thieves) are generally used.
Equally, the Democratic Alliance usually calls on South Africans to ‘save’ the nation by voting the African Nationwide Congress out. On this vein, Harris urges People to ‘save the nation’ by voting Trump out. Such is the character of political battles.
Learn additionally: The US Congress proposes extending Agoa to 2041, protecting all African nations
What US election means for African nations
Concerning what it will imply for African nations if Trump or Harris wins, the influence is minimal.
Once more, let’s have a look at South Africa as some extent of departure. US overseas coverage is usually constant, and the US will stay dedicated to sustaining bilateral and commerce relations with South Africa. Navy cooperation between the 2 nations will proceed. Trump, if elected, wouldn’t push South Africa to reverse its abortion rights merely due to his stance on the difficulty inside the US.
The US presidency will nonetheless anticipate South Africa to handle the Monetary Motion Job Power (FATF) gray itemizing, and collaboration on combatting organised crime will persist. Different African nations can anticipate the identical.
The US has a vested curiosity in making certain the US greenback maintains its standing because the world’s reserve foreign money. An in depth have a look at each candidates’ platforms reveals a main deal with home points, with little emphasis on overseas insurance policies that may negatively influence African nations. In different phrases, life will go on, with a lot remaining the identical.”
Time will inform.
Evaluation by Bertie Jacobs from North-West College
