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Trump could use aid suspension to counter China

Trump could use aid suspension to counter China
USA President Donald Trump. PHOTO/@WhiteHouse/X

President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend foreign aid to low- and middle-income countries has sparked debate about Africa’s dependence on external assistance, even six decades after independence. Critics argue that African leaders have failed to implement initiatives for self-reliance. The continent is often governed by power-hungry politicians more focused on wealth accumulation than improving the lives of their citizens. This has led to dysfunctional health systems, with many politicians seeking medical treatment abroad while their people suffer from inadequate healthcare.

Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta’s remarks on the suspension of foreign aid were a wake-up call for Africa to utilise its resources wisely and embrace self-sufficiency. However, his comments were met with resistance from some leaders who were uncomfortable with his blunt truth.

The suspension of foreign aid, combined with Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and the World Health Organization (WHO), is likely to have significant consequences for Africa. In a global geopolitical context where major powers are competing for influence, Trump could use this situation as leverage to counter China’s growing presence on the continent.

When Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, he declared: “The golden age of America begins right now. From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world.” His “America First” approach may force African nations to make difficult decisions about whether to align with Washington or Beijing.

Although CNN reported that the White House rescinded its decision to suspend foreign aid to African countries, no official communication has been made. It is possible that aid will be used as a political tool to influence African countries’ alliances, particularly as both the US and China vie for influence in Africa.

China has long been a major partner in Africa’s infrastructure development, offering funding that Western donors have been reluctant to provide, often due to concerns about operational and maintenance costs. Critics frequently describe Sino-African relations as a “debt trap”, but China’s approach allows African nations to become more economically independent compared to traditional Western aid, which often fosters dependency.

The US, however, sees China’s growing influence in Africa as a threat to its strategic interests, particularly with respect to Africa’s vast mineral resources. The suspension of foreign aid could pressure African countries to reconsider their relationships with China, especially in areas like healthcare, where foreign aid plays a significant role.

As both the US and China compete for access to Africa’s strategic minerals, the continent has an opportunity to leverage its position to become more self-reliant. African nations should strengthen partnerships that help them achieve economic independence, using their rich natural resources to their advantage.

China has continued to finance infrastructure projects in Africa that Western donors have been hesitant to support, especially during times of economic decline. The projects that China funds allow African countries to achieve greater economic autonomy, unlike Western donations, which tend to create long-term dependencies. Although some critics label Sino-African relations as exploitative, the reality is that China’s investments offer African nations an alternative to traditional aid-based models.

Instead of being forced to choose sides between the US and China, Africa can leverage its position in this great power competition to bolster its own development. The Chinese principle of non-interference has gained traction in Africa, where many governments prefer this model to Western practices, which often tie aid to promoting democracy and human rights.

— The writer is a Journalist and Communication consultant

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Onyango KOnyango

Onyango K'Onyango.

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