US, Africa are intertwined for development –Panelists

A group of panelists at Africa Forum, a special pre-summit programme held recently has observed that United States and Africa are intertwined for rapid socio-economic and political development. Dr. Sulayman S. Nyang, chairman, Department of African Studies, Howard University, Dr. Raymond Gilpin, Academic Dean, Africa Center for Security Studies (ACSS), His Excellency Cheikh Niang, Senegalese Ambassador to the US and Bernadette Paolo, President, The Africa Society were the panelists. According to the panelists, African countries need to intensify their partnership with the US in a number of key sectors relevant to sustainable human development. The panelists through the forum want the continent’s leaders to strengthen tie with US on power, support for Small and Medium Enterprises, the Diaspora’s engagement in the continent’s development and agriculture. “The futures of the US and African countries are inextricably bound and that Africans are favourably disposed to fortifying their partnerships with the United States in all realms. With respect to trade and investment, Africa’s integration into the global market and the continent’s increased economic prowess necessitates a different partnership with the US,” the panelists. They observe that many Americans have little knowledge about Africa, which impedes possible interaction on the willingness of corporations and individuals to invest in the continent. “Americans overall know very little about the continent of Africa. More education about Africa is needed so as to provide a foundation of respect and understanding,” the panelists pointed out. Emphasizing the need for the continent’s leaders to ensure peace and security of life through strong institutions, Dr. Sulayman Nyang said Africans have to live peacefully. According to him, country may not like each other but there is need to live with one another. He added that the liberalization of African governance is growing which has the tendency of connecting the continent to modernity. “Everyone should know today that governance is a big issue in Africa; liberalism is gaining ground; African Leaders Summit will be a chance for Africans to speak for themselves,” he said. Speaking on the right strategy for the proposed partnership with the US, Cheikh Niang, Senegalese Ambassador to the US said all African countries are unique and need to be handled individually. Ambassador Niang noted that checks and balance, strong civil society and level political playing field are pivotal to effective partnership, adding that all countries are not at the same level, which necessitated different approaches towards the partnership. Panelists were in agreement that that the upcoming Summit for African Heads of State and Government was historic, that the Obama Administration was to be credited for its implementation. According to them, the Summit should be a precedent, to which definitive deliverables could be achieved in the short and long term to advance mutually advantageous objectives. The “Africa Forum” was convened to discuss key issues impacting the Continent of Africa, U.S –Africa policy, and Africa’s rising role in the world. The primary objective was to further foster dialogue and collaboration in advance of the August 4-6, 2014, US-Africa Summit for African Heads of State and Government. It was organized by the FEEEDS Advocacy Initiative, Gallup, the Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa, AllAfrica.com, and Operation Hope in partnership with The Ambassadors to the United States from Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Botswana, Senegal and Tanzania.