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US Election 2024: Limited Changes for Africa, Geopolitical Tensions to Grow, Says Zimbabwean Expert
US Election 2024: Limited Changes for Africa, Geopolitical Tensions to Grow, Says Zimbabwean Expert
Sputnik Africa
The US presidential election will be held on November 5. Incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, and Trump, a Republican, are running for the... 31.10.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-10-31T12:46+0100
2024-10-31T12:46+0100
2024-10-31T14:55+0100
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The upcoming US presidential election is unlikely to bring significant changes to Africa’s diplomatic landscape, Dr. Bowden B.C. Mbanje, a lecturer at Zimbabwe's Bindura University of Science Education, told Sputnik Africa.With US interests firmly rooted in security and influence, particularly in regions like the Sahel, both candidates appear to prioritize American and NATO objectives over African stability and development.He noted that this could mean a continuation of existing US policies, including maintaining military bases and backing civil society groups.On US-Russia relations, Mbanje indicated that a Democratic administration would likely pursue a more confrontational approach toward Russia, while a Trump victory could lead to warmer relations.He speculated that Trump “would rather befriend Russia than to be an enemy […] because he understands quite well that Russia is a very powerful country; it also is a nuclear threat.”The expert also commented on the polarized US media landscape, which he believes has affected the democratic process. According to Mbanje, “there’s a lot of misinformation, disinformation and […] propaganda […] being fed to many American citizens,” raising questions about whether voters can make fully informed decisions.Speaking of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Mbanje observed that there is bipartisan support in the US for Israel, despite the rhetoric about peace negotiations.Aside from that, Mbanje highlighted the importance of BRICS as a counterbalance to Western hegemony, particularly in relation to US global influence. He emphasized that the United States might benefit from shifting its approach to engage constructively with the BRICS coalition rather than pursuing policies aimed solely at containment.He reckoned that this shift is seen positively across much of the Global South, where BRICS is regarded as a pathway toward a more multipolar world order.To navigate this changing global landscape, Mbanje recommended that the next US president foster diplomatic ties with BRICS members, advocating for a world order that recognizes the voices of emerging economies. Reflecting on the broader implications of the election, Mbanje expressed his hope that the next US president will embrace a multilateral approach and respect international norms.
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US Election 2024: Limited Changes for Africa, Geopolitical Tensions to Grow, Says Zimbabwean Expert
12:46 31.10.2024 (Updated: 14:55 31.10.2024) Christina Glazkova
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Longread
The US presidential election will be held on November 5. Incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, and Trump, a Republican, are running for the country's top job.
The upcoming US presidential election is unlikely to bring significant
changes to Africa’s diplomatic landscape,
Dr. Bowden B.C. Mbanje, a lecturer at Zimbabwe's Bindura University of Science Education, told
Sputnik Africa.With US interests firmly rooted in security and influence, particularly in regions like the Sahel, both candidates appear to prioritize American and
NATO objectives over African stability and development.
“Especially in the Sahel region, you actually see when you look at both the candidates, they actually have a similar approach to African politics. So […] we are not expecting much from both […] candidates,” Mbanje remarked.
He noted that this could mean a continuation of existing US policies, including maintaining military bases and backing civil society groups.
“They are trying by all means to […] maintain that hybrid policy, whereby they will keep on sponsoring civil society groups in order to cause mayhem and confusion, even to destabilize these African countries,” he stressed.
On US-Russia relations, Mbanje indicated that a Democratic administration would likely pursue a more confrontational approach toward Russia, while a
Trump victory could lead to warmer relations.
“When you look at […] Kamala Harris […] she wants Ukraine to win the war against Russia,” he noted, adding that the Democrats appear focused on “trying to contain Russia.”
He speculated that Trump “would rather
befriend Russia than to be an enemy […] because he understands quite well that Russia is a very powerful country; it also is a nuclear threat.”
The expert also commented on the polarized US media landscape, which he believes has affected the democratic process. According to Mbanje, “there’s a lot of misinformation, disinformation and […] propaganda […] being fed to many American citizens,” raising questions about whether voters can make fully informed decisions.
“This is being fed to many American citizens and it’s quite interesting […] that a country like America, which should [..] allow other […] media players also comment on the elections, but they are actually blocking these media houses,” he added.
Speaking of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Mbanje observed that there is bipartisan support in the US for Israel, despite the rhetoric about peace negotiations.
“Kamala Harris actually promised that […] she will make Israel negotiate with Palestine,” he noted, but questioned how this promise aligns with current US actions, which he described as favoring Israel even in the face of international criticism.
Aside from that, Mbanje highlighted the importance of BRICS as a
counterbalance to Western hegemony, particularly in relation to US global influence. He emphasized that the United States might benefit from shifting its approach to engage constructively with the BRICS coalition rather than pursuing policies aimed solely at containment.
“BRICS is now a force to reckon in the international system,” Mbanje explained. “It is now counterbalancing a Western hegemony in the international system, specifically the US hegemony in the international system.”
He reckoned that this shift is seen positively across much of the Global South, where
BRICS is regarded as a pathway toward a more multipolar world order.
To navigate this changing global landscape, Mbanje recommended that the next US president foster diplomatic ties with BRICS members, advocating for a world order that recognizes the voices of emerging economies.
“The best way that […] a president can do is to mend relations with the BRICS countries, to agree with BRICS countries,” he suggested, adding that a policy based on multilateral cooperation “is more responsible to everyone.”
Reflecting on the broader implications of the
election, Mbanje expressed his hope that the next US president will embrace a multilateral approach and respect international norms.
“We expect to see a more responsible United States of America […] that believes in multilateralism rather than a United States of America that takes a unilateral approach in international events,” he concluded.
