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Post by Tukuler al~Takruri on Jan 14, 2019 14:20:22 GMT -5
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Post by Tukuler al~Takruri on Jan 14, 2019 14:30:23 GMT -5
EXCERPT
Our first priority, enhancing U.S. economic ties with the region, is not only essential to improving opportunities for American workers and businesses; it is also vital to safeguarding the economic independence of African states and protecting U.S. national security interests.
Great power competitors, namely China and Russia, are rapidly expanding their financial and political influence across Africa. They are deliberately and aggressively targeting their investments in the region to gain a competitive advantage over the United States.
From 2016-2017, China’s foreign direct investment toward Africa totaled $6.4 billion dollars. And, over the past several years, China has devoted considerable state-directed and state-supported financing to projects in the region.
China uses bribes, opaque agreements, and the strategic use of debt to hold states in Africa captive to Beijing’s wishes and demands. Its investment ventures are riddled with corruption, and do not meet the same environmental or ethical standards as U.S. developmental programs.
Such predatory actions are sub-components of broader Chinese strategic initiatives, including “One Belt, One Road”—a plan to develop a series of trade routes leading to and from China with the ultimate goal of advancing Chinese global dominance.
In Africa, we are already seeing the disturbing effects of China’s quest to obtain more political, economic, and military power.
The nation of Zambia, for example, is currently in debt to China to the tune of $6 to $10 billion dollars. China is now poised to take over Zambia’s national power and utility company in order to collect on Zambia’s financial obligations.
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Post by Tukuler al~Takruri on Jan 14, 2019 14:33:54 GMT -5
EXCERPT
Djibouti may hand over control of the Doraleh Container Terminal, a strategically-located shipping port on the Red Sea, to Chinese state-owned enterprises.
Should this occur, the balance of power in the Horn of Africa—astride major arteries of maritime trade between Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia—would shift in favor of China. And, our U.S. military personnel at Camp Lemonnier, could face even further challenges in their efforts to protect the American people.
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Post by Tukuler al~Takruri on Jan 14, 2019 14:38:03 GMT -5
EXCERPT
In fact, in Fiscal Year 2017, the Department of State and USAID provided approximately $8.7 billion dollars in development, security, and food assistance to Africa.
In Fiscal Year 2016, we provided approximately $8.3 billion dollars.
Between 1995 and 2006, U.S. aid to Africa was roughly equal to the amount of assistance provided by all other donors combined.
Unfortunately, billions upon billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars have not achieved the desired effects.
They have not stopped the scourge of terrorism, radicalism, and violence.
They have not prevented other powers, such as China and Russia, from taking advantage of African states to increase their own power and influence.
And, they have not led to stable and transparent governance, economic viability, and increasing development across the region.
From now on, the United States will not tolerate this longstanding pattern of aid without effect, assistance without accountability, and relief without reform.
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Post by Tukuler al~Takruri on Jan 14, 2019 14:45:34 GMT -5
EXCERPT
We want to use American dollars in the most efficient way to protect the interests of the American people.
Accordingly, we will make certain that ALL aid to the region—whether for security, humanitarian, or development needs—advances these U.S. interests.
[...]
to ensure efficient use of taxpayer dollars.
Countries that repeatedly vote against the United States in international forums, or take action counter to U.S. interests, should not receive generous American foreign aid.
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Post by anansi on Jan 15, 2019 4:01:32 GMT -5
EXCERPT We want to use American dollars in the most efficient way to protect the interests of the American people. Accordingly, we will make certain that ALL aid to the region—whether for security, humanitarian, or development needs—advances these U.S. interests. [...] to ensure efficient use of taxpayer dollars. Countries that repeatedly vote against the United States in international forums, or take action counter to U.S. interests, should not receive generous American foreign aid. See that's why the U.S and indeed the west is losing out on influence in Africa, this old worn out carrot and stick approach instead of trade and investments. U.S. assistance to Africa over the past four years to $3.2 billion, The relatively small nation of Israel received that much a year, now while China is predatory IMO and need to dealt with carefully, the approach is very different and much more productive, Bolton's approach is soooo 1980s. |
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