RNC Research

Today, Obama Arrives In Africa For A One-Week Trip To Senegal, South Africa And Tanzania. “President Barack Obama flies across the Atlantic on Wednesday for a trip that takes him to Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania, his second visit to sub-Saharan Africa since taking office. The trip aims to bolster investment opportunities for U.S. businesses, address development issues such as food security and health, and promote democracy. It comes as China aggressively engages the continent. The Asian nation is pouring billions of dollars into Africa, running oil and mining firms, and replaced the United States in 2009 as the largest trading partner.” (Faith Karimi, “Obama Heads To Africa To Promote Investment, Democracy,” CNN, 6/26/13)

OBAMA’S TRIP TO AFRICA HIGHLIGHTS LANGUISHING U.S. POLICY ON THE CONTINENT

This Will Be Obama’s First Trip To Sub-Saharan Africa As President, “Aside From The 22-Hour Stopover In Ghana On The Way Home From A European Economic Summit.” “Obama visited Africa as a senator in 2006, including a stop in Kenya, where thousands greeted his arrival and media coverage was glowing. But, aside from the 22-hour stopover in Ghana on the way home from a European economic summit, he has not been back since.” (David Nakamura and Sudarsan Raghavan, “Ahead Of Obama’s Visit, Africans Feel He Hasn’t Lived Up To Promises,” The Washington Post, 6/25/13)

“After Four Years Away And Few Major Initiatives Aimed At Africa,” Obama’s Trip To Africa Is Being Met With “Disappointment With His Perceived Lack Of Interest And Action On Issues In Africa.”  “When a newly elected President Obama zipped through Africa in 2009, he was given a hero’s welcome on the continent of his father’s birth. This week, after four years away and few major initiatives aimed at Africa, Obama will return as a prodigal son. Initial euphoria over the election of the first African American U.S. president has given way to disappointment with his perceived lack of interest and action on issues in Africa not related to America’s security.” (Robyn Dixon and Kathleen Hennessey, “Obama’s Africa Visit Will Take Him To A Changed Continent,” Los Angeles Times, 6/25/13)

Obama Has Been Criticized For “Lagging Behind Former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton And George W. Bush, As Well As China, In Engaging Sub-Saharan Africa.” “President Barack Obama is visiting Africa on a mission to make up for lost time. Lagging behind former U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, as well as China, in engaging sub-Saharan Africa, Obama has assembled a weeklong, three-country itinerary to begin taking a more active role in pushing U.S. investment and strengthening democratic institutions on the continent.” (Margaret Talev, “Obama’s Africa Mission Is to Make Up for Lost Time,” Bloomberg, 6/25/13)

• In The 4 Years Since Obama’s Brief Visit To Ghana, “China Has Made A Major Push To Extend Its Influence In Africa,” Increasing Annual Trade With Africa To $200 Billion, “Twice That Of The United States.” “As African leaders frequently note, the president’s outreach is overdue. It has been four years since his previous, 20-hour visit to Africa as president, a stretch during which he has made multiple visits to Asia and Latin America. During that time China has made a major push to extend its influence in Africa and, in some important ways, has succeeded: At $200 billion, its annual trade with the continent is twice that of the United States. During regular visits by its presidents, including one by new leader Xi Jinping in March, Beijing has been showering governments with billions in aid, with no apparent political strings.” (Editorial, “Obama Can’t Skirt Tough Issues In Africa,” The Washington Post, 6/25/13)