Will Obama "Change" Africa Policy too?

President Obama campaigned and probably won the election on the basis of his promise and vision of change. He eloquently painted a picture of what ‘Change’ looked like and Americans fell in love with that mental picture. Within his first 100 days, Pres. Obama has taken America’s domestic and foreign policies in directions that do contrast with the administration of Pres. George Bush. However, one area of his foreign policies that post 100 days still, in substance, resemble the policies of his predecessor, is his Africa Policy.
Granted, his nominee for Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Mr Johnnie Carson was only officially sworn in two days ago on Wednesday the 6th of May. Thus, one could argue that an assessment of his Africa policy should now commence.
However, I do think that certain events, within these first 100 days, have permitted us to catch a glimpse of what Obama policy toward Africa, might look like, and it doesn’t not materially differ from that of Pres. Bush, in my opinion.

The Somali “Piracy” issue is a case in point. Certainly, armed robbery in high seas of US vessels is an act against US interests. But the story is much bigger than that, although mainstream media has not made sufficient ‘noise’ about the untold other side of the story.
I find it hard to believe that Pres. Obama, being one with a probing mind and a careful examiner of all facts available, would be unaware that since the early 90s reports of toxic dumping and illegal fishing have been taking place off the coast of Somalia by Western and Asian nations. These nefarious and clandestine acts, have for nearly 20 years, threatened Somali fishermen’s ’ source of livelihood and caused diseases.

Understandably, timing is of great importance and when an American Captain is being held hostage with guns pointed to his head, that is not the time for a history lesson of geo-political events. But, the American Captain is now freed, and the issue of “Piracy” is being talked about by all the media pundits. Now, is the time for the untold story to be injected into the public debate as an issue that needs to be addressed as part of the solution.

There is also no sign that the AFRICOM idea has been scrapped. I intend to write about what specific changes I would like to see the Obama administration effect, in my subsequent postings.

What Obama’s policy toward Africa will look like is not clear. At this point, we can only make inferences, and the conclusion they lead me to is not change but continuity. But the jury is still out on this one.