Carnegie Think Tank Calls US-Africa Leaders Summit a ‘Seismic Shift’
In an article released on 22 December 2022, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP) pronounced the recent 2nd US-Africa Leaders Summit (#UALS2) as a Seismic Shift in the relations between USA and Africa. The Think Tank went on to describe the event as a “qualified success” which indicates a decisive paradigm shift in how the US now views ‘Africa as a continent central to the future of the global economy and the international order.’
The CEIP noted five key takeaways from the Summit:
- A new US ‘Whole-of-Government Approach’ toward Africa
- US support for African Representation in #GlobalGovernance
- Pledging billions in shared priorities
- A shift from Aid to Trade & Investments
- Support for key pan-African initiatives
In August 2022, in view of the Summit, the White House issued the “US Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan African” which sets the tone for a ‘New Era’ in US-Africa Partnership.
More importantly perhaps, to translate words into results, the US has appointed the seasoned diplomat and former Assistant State Secretary for African Affairs Johnnie Carson as Special Presidential Representative for US-Africa Leaders Summit Implementation.