Book review: The shadow politics of US-Africa relations
Can Africa build a mutually beneficial relationship with the US that reshapes decades of transactional security relationships?
"The Shadow Politics of US-Africa Relations" is an insightful and long overdue book delving into the complex dynamics between the United States and African nations since the end of World War II. Author Sobukwe Odinga, an assistant professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, examines the US's security relations with four countries: Ethiopia, Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire), and Uganda.
The book primarily focuses on the Cold War era and the post-9/11 period, questioning whether the US has truly had the upper hand in these relationships or if African leaders have been adept at pursuing their own interests. The author uses academic language, discussing concepts like "black moderate transnationalism" and "statist Pan Africanism." Despite the dense terminology, the narrative remains engaging and informative.
One of the most intriguing chapters covers the contentious relationship between the US and Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). The US overlooked Mobuto Sese Seko's autocratic tendencies due to the strategic importance of the Kamina air base and the uranium mine at Shinkolobwe. This led to a cozy relationship with Mobuto, despite his misrule, which impoverished the Congo while he lived in luxury.
However, some in the US administration, particularly within the Congressional Black Caucus, spoke out against this relationship, viewing it as an affront to human rights and a direct insult to black Americans.
Throughout the book, Odinga highlights the shifting currents of racial difference and racial solidarity in shaping US-Africa security relations. He emphasizes that African leaders have been able to leverage US policy to assert their goals and agendas, often referred to as "guile and agency." Odinga also explores the concept of "security partnerships" as bargaining processes rather than hierarchical institutions.
The book showcases leaders like Uganda's Yoweri Museveni and Ethiopia's Meles Zenawi, who emerged after overthrowing destabilizing regimes and received US support. Despite their autocratic tendencies, both leaders were rewarded with US backing due to their strategic alignment with US global security interests. The author argues that these leaders' autocratic regimes allowed them to publicly assert their autonomy from the West while maintaining profitable security partnerships with the US.
Written by urgent.news from Africa Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
