U.S.-Africa Relations Need a Reset 

By Eghosa E. Osaghae

U.S. presidential elections have always been of interest to Africa because of the crucial role the United States plays in the stability and development of the continent. Interest in the forthcoming election is particularly high because of the widespread perception across Africa that its strategic relevance to the United States has waned in the recent past―leading to relegation, neglect, and a lack of empathy.  

This comes against the backdrop of the debilitating situation in many parts of the continent, marked by deteriorating state fragility, increased poverty, poor public health, conflicts, terrorism, insecurity, democratic reversals, huge foreign debts, and the ravages of climate change. Those pressing issues require greater support from the United States, arguably Africa’s greatest ally.  

To date, the United States’ involvement on the continent has focused primarily on humanitarian and democratic interventions. While these are helpful, they have been at the expense of