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Podcast

Harris or Trump 2.0 – why it matters for Africa

A podcast episode about African views on the US Elections
Date • 18 Oct 2024

As the US election approaches, Africa’s perception of US politics has garnered significant attention. The rise of Kamala Harris as a presidential candidate has sparked reactions across the continent. And the prospect of a Donald Trump 2.0 presidency is met with mixed emotions. In this mini-series, divided into two episodes, we explore how Africans view the candidates in the upcoming US election and how they think it will affect US-Africa relations.

In the first episode External link, opens in new window., we discuss how Washington’s Africa policies, and US-Africa relations, have evolved over the post-Cold War era in general, and under Joe Biden’s administration in particular. We also look at how Africans view Democrat candidate Kamala Harris.

In the second episode External link, opens in new window., we look at how Republican candidate Donald Trump, and the legacy from his term as president, is regarded in Africa. We also chew over what implications religious values, and the Israel–Hamas war, might have on African perceptions of American politics.

Of course, there is no “one perception” of American politics in Africa, since it is a continent of 1.4 billion people divided between 54 countries. So do not worry, dear listeners, we will not take on the impossible ambition of covering all of Africa. Instead, our hand-picked researchers in the expert panel will talk mostly about the countries that they cover in their research.

And the guests are:

  • Patience Mususa, Senior Researcher at the Nordic Africa Institute, specialized in mining communities and mineral resource management in Southern Africa in general and Zambia in particular.
  • Angela Muvumba Sellström Senior Researcher at the Nordic Africa Institute, specialized in women, peace and security and Africa’s voice in the UN, with a particular insight into Uganda and South Africa.
  • Isaac Kaledzi, Ghanian journalist who has been covering the US Elections from a West African perspective.

 

 

Quotes from part 1:

I don't think that Washington wants to be viewed as always coming with a human rights or governance agenda in the way it did in the past.

Angela Muvumba Sellström

The global narrative around the US, China and Africa is largely centred on China's [Belt and Road] infrastructure projects, but the US’ social infrastructure investments in sub-Saharan Africa, not least in Zambia where I work, have been less visible.

Patience Mususa

To touch on how Africa received the news of Biden’s exit, and Kamala Harris coming in [..] – it gives signals to African countries that have very old leaders, this is something we could really draw inspiration from.

Isaac Kaledzi (on video link from accra)

Quotes from part 2:

For authoritarian governments in Africa, a Trump 2.0 presidency is a boon. It legitimises their behaviour, because it signals that this thing called democracy is not a panacea.

Angela Muvumba Sellström

The view is that a Trump presidency would ramp up anti-migration rhetoric globally and have a real existential effect on young people.

Patience Mususa

Trump’s views are very sharply opposed to the conservative way that Africans behave in society, in terms of respect your neighbour, speak well of them.

Isaac Kaledzi (on video link from accra)

Reading list

Compiled by the NAI Library:

More titles External link, opens in new window. on United States + Foreign relations/International relations

NAI Podcast

The Nordic Africa Podcast is a series of discussions where we talk to political scientists, anthropologists, economists and other researchers about current issues and trends in Africa. We analyse the choices of African leaders, we challenge dominant narratives about the continent, and occasionally, we look into the crystal ball to see where Africa is headed. Hosts Heba Habib and Henrik Alfredsson and guesting experts guide us toward a deepened understanding of Africa’s role on the global scene.

Previous episodes