Since the election of US President Barack Obama in 2008, there has been a shift. Africa has been the talk of town. We have seen more celebration of Africa’s fashion, music, and movies as well as a positive exposure of the continent than what we normally read or hear. Even more so, President Obama’s first term has helped the continent quickly learn to map its own future.
With the President’s seeming subtle distance from the continent, Africa, in a more mature self-reliant way, has been forced to stand on its own two feet to get itself in its place in the world.
Overall, this is exactly what Africa needed: a moment to learn to look inward in order to grab this opportunity – the election of President Barack Obama – to broaden and to have a more comprehensive engagement among themselves as well as with other countries. This has caused a better understanding of the potential within the continent, one that is driven by a majority youth population, and where a billion people are ready for change.
Now with the re-election, the shift is even further persuading Africans and those of African descent living in the Diaspora to understand and urgently meet the needs, interests, and priorities of the African people.
“Obama’s strategy on Africa," released in June 2012, reflects his will to guide his relations with Africa during his second term and sets forth four strategic objectives for U.S. engagement in Africa: (1) strengthen democratic institutions; (2) spur economic growth, trade, and investment; (3) advance peace and security; and (4) promote opportunity and development.” While this agenda of the president is great, his re-election encourages Africans to strive to meet the needs of its people through increased participation in the global economy and by improving the basic building blocks of any society- education, health care, economy, employment, etc.
While the expectations of his re-election waver among Africans, there is still this joyousness on the continent over the victory and a sense that history is being made not only within the United States, but also within a United Africa.
However, Africa must take control of its own future and destiny. Our Leaders must engage with each other and be willing to collaborate on various platforms. We must begin providing African solutions to our African problems and stop looking to western societies for an Agenda. President Obama should not be the only catalyst of change in Africa. We must look within the continent and be driven by the force of energy and passion amongst members of our population, especially the youth.
