Remarks
Thomas A. Shannon, Jr.
Under Secretary for Political Affairs
U.S. Institute of Peace
Washington, DC
September 13, 2017
(As prepared)
Introduction
Good morning. Thank you President Lindborg for your very kind and
generous introduction. To you and to Ambassador Carson I am grateful for
the invitation to participate in this important and timely symposium.
It is always a pleasure to cross 23
rd street and leave
behind the 1950s federal architecture of the State
Department for the
soaring beauty of the United States Institute of Peace.
USIP has proven itself to be a unique and vital institution within
our policy landscape. It is not only the keeper and dispenser of
remarkable expertise in the practice of peace building and conflict
resolution, but is also a convener and convoker of first category. USIP
brings together some of our best strategic thinkers and most interesting
organizations to discuss, debate, and shape American foreign policy.
Today is one such occasion. I am honored to help open this symposium
on the relationship between the United States and Africa, with a special
focus on the emerging partnerships that will define that relationship
in the 21
st century.
As Nancy noted, I am long-in-tooth as a diplomat. I have served our
great Republic for 34 years. Curiously, I have spent 17 years of that
career in the 20
th century and 17 years in the 21
st
century. This fulcrum has allowed me to witness and participate in some
remarkable moments of transformation and change. It has also taught me
that history does not end, it accelerates. Today, change has velocity,
driven by technology and connectivity. My experience has taught me that
American power and American values can have a transformative impact on
global change. I believe this is especially true for Africa. The
partnership that we offer is especially relevant for countries in the
midst of profound transitions from authoritarian to democratic
governments, from exclusive to inclusive societies, from autarky models
of development to ones based on open markets and regional integration,
and from global isolation to intense participation in world events.
Setting the Global Stage
As we consider the purpose and nature of our relationship with
Africa, it is important to note two things. First, Africa’s emergence as
a point of global interest and strategic convergence. What happens on
the continent over the next few years will shape the world’s economy,
security, and well-being. Africa is no longer an addendum to global
geopolitics. Instead, it is a bridge from the Indo-Pacific region to the
larger Atlantic community, while also connecting directly to Europe and
the Middle East. In the State Department it touches every geographic
bureau, and at the Defense Department it connects to every geographic
combatant command. In short, Africa’s centrality makes it immediately
relevant to our success and demands attention and engagement.
Second, as far as the United States is concerned, Africa is already a
continent of allies and partners. With a few notable exceptions, the
vast majority of African states share our commitment to free markets,
equitable trade, democracy and the rule of law, secure borders, and
effective responses to global terrorist threats.
African states’ progress towards open markets and free trade have
spurred economic growth, development, and tremendous opportunity across
the continent. Indeed, six of the world’s ten fastest growing economies
are in Africa. By 2030, Africa will represent almost a quarter of the
world’s workforce and consumers, and by 2050 Africa’s population is
projected to double to two billion people.
And our balance of trade with Africa is near parity–thanks to booming
demand for infrastructure investment, aircraft, consumer products, and
services. African states consistently attract strong investor attention
from American companies.
Democracy and the rule of law are also advancing on the continent.
Competitive, participatory elections are becoming the norm. Just two
weeks ago, we witnessed the Supreme Court of Kenya’s decision to
overturn the August 8 Presidential elections, and President Kenyatta’s
mature decision to respect that ruling. The independent legal process,
and broad support and respect for the Court’s decision, reflect the
strength of Kenya’s democracy.
Finally, African allies and partners are stepping forward to lead
regional initiatives to address long-running conflicts and humanitarian
crises. In the Lake Chad Basin, Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon
formed the Multinational Joint Task Force to fight Boko Haram and
ISIS-West Africa, and are coordinating military operations, civilian
security, and humanitarian assistance. The United States is proud to
support this and other regional initiatives to bring security and
stability to citizens affected by conflict and food insecurity.
Strengthening our Relationship: The Path Forward
Though there is much to commend in recent developments on the
continent, we all know that African states continue to face significant
challenges. And any relationship, however strong, requires care and
nurturing if it is to grow. As President Trump, Secretary Tillerson, and
our national security team engage with our African partners, they will
be guided by four strategic purposes.
Advancing Peace and Security
First, advancing peace and security. Doing so, yields dividends for citizens in Africa, and advances our own national security.
We are looking to African partners to take the lead in resolving
regional conflict, and we will continue to partner with the African
Union and regional organizations that lead successful efforts to end
violence and prevent mass atrocities. While our hope and commitment to
seeing an end to the devastating man-made crises in DRC, South Sudan,
and other locations is enduring, the long term sustainability of our
financial commitment requires continuing contributions from our
assistance partners. We will also require greater political commitment
from African leaders who want peace and stability in their countries and
in their region. This will ensure that our support and investment is
effective and enduring.
On the continent, we are working to build the capacity of regional
peacekeepers, whose numbers continue to increase in Africa. In the past
year, we have provided training to peacekeepers from over 20 African
countries actively engaged in UN and African Union (AU) peacekeeping
operations. This engagement has allowed more than ten battalions to
deploy more effectively into some of the world’s most dangerous
operations in Somalia, Mali, South Sudan, and the Central African
Republic. Generously, Africans now comprise over 70 percent of the
peacekeepers in Africa, up from 40 percent ten years ago. We acknowledge
that peacekeeping comes with a tremendous risk. We both mourn and honor
those Africans who have given their lives in peacekeeping operations.
The United States also addresses peace and security through
humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations such as refugees and
internally displaced people. In 2016, we provided more than $1.5 billion
to UNHCR’s humanitarian operations. With the support of USAID and the
Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration –
for example – an estimated 1.8 million people in South Sudan receive
life-saving humanitarian assistance every month.
Our work to advance peace and security is not just regional.
Increasingly, it is global. African states are partnering with us to
address the danger that North Korea presents to the world. We asked
African countries to join us in restricting political and economic
engagement with North Korea, shutting down North Korea’s illicit trade
networks, and publicly opposing North Korea’s reckless missile and
nuclear tests. Numerous African partners have taken concrete actions,
but more needs to be done.
Countering the Scourge of Terrorism
Second, countering the scourge of terrorism. This Administration
seeks to partner with African allies to confront and counter terrorism
in Africa, including defeating Boko Haram, al-Qaida in the Islamic
Maghreb, and ISIS-West Africa. In recent years, African countries have
intensified their regional and domestic efforts to take greater
ownership on this front, often with great success. In Somalia, the
African Union and Somali security forces are driving out al-Shabaab.
Working through AU leadership, regional peacekeeping partners such as
Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Burundi, and Djibouti are helping to lead the
way in this effort.
Military, law enforcement, and intelligence tools are vital to defend
against these threats, but military force alone is not enough for a
sustained peace. We must work with our partners, including civil
society, traditional authorities, and religious leaders, to address the
root causes of conflict, combat marginalization, and create economic
opportunity. There is no long-term solution to terrorism absent this
comprehensive approach.
Any progress in our counter-terrorism efforts, however, will be
undone by abusive and illegal behavior by security forces. We will
continue to hold our allies to the highest standards and ensure that
individuals who fail to respect human rights in this important fight are
held accountable.
The challenge now is for our African partners to complement their
successes on the battlefield with trained law enforcement personnel to
provide civilian security and economic policies to kick start moribund
local economies.
Increasing Economic Growth and Investment
Third, promoting prosperity through economic growth and investment.
This Administration seeks to do business not just in Africa, but with
Africa, moving the focus of our economic relationship with the continent
from aid to trade and investment. Trade will be free, fair, and
reciprocal, and our investors will be more competitive. This is about
creating jobs for both Americans and Africans throughout the continent.
One of our most important bipartisan endeavors in the economic arena
is the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA. AGOA has been the
cornerstone of U.S. economic engagement with countries of sub-Saharan
Africa since 2000.
To highlight a few of the achievements:
- U.S. investment in sub-Saharan Africa increased from $9 billion a
year in 2001 to $34 billion in 2014 and created over 300,000 jobs across
Africa.
- U.S. exports to Africa rose at an even faster rate, from $6 billion in 2000 to $25 billion in 2014.
- U.S. imports from sub-Saharan Africa under AGOA totaled almost $11 billion in 2016, a 14% increase from the previous year alone.
These successes, and the knowledge that trade helps strengthen
democratic institutions and reinforce regional stability, are prime
reasons the U.S. Congress overwhelmingly approved legislation in 2015 to
re-authorize AGOA for ten more years.
We remain committed to our economic partnerships with Africa and will
continue to seek opportunities to strengthen two-way trade and
investment. USAID, for example, has established three trade hubs to help
the African private sector take advantage of AGOA and expand exports to
the United States. Additionally, the Millennium Challenge Corporation,
or MCC, provides economic assistance to governments that have already
established good policy environments. Most of the MCC’s work has been
and continues to be in Africa.
Promoting Democracy and Good Governance
Finally, promoting democracy and good governance. Efforts to secure
enduring peace are undermined when governments fail to provide good
governance and uphold the rule of law – the foundation for security and
the driver of inclusive economic growth in free societies.
We see the corrosive effects of corruption as fundamentally
detrimental to the future success of African societies. An AU study
estimated corruption costs the continent roughly $150 billion per year.
Bribes and low-level corruption worsen poverty and inequality, and harm
citizens’ faith in government. Corruption – particularly at the highest
levels – deters foreign investment, foments instability, and diminishes
the capacity of security forces and other institutions to deliver basic
services.
The United States will continue to partner with regional
organizations to advance good governance and the rule of law. In The
Gambia, when President Jammeh reneged on his commitment to accept the
results of the presidential election in December 2016, the Economic
Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, stepped up with other
regional leaders and took a principled stand for democracy. ECOWAS and
regional leaders organized a strong diplomatic campaign to influence
President Jammeh to give up power. He ultimately stepped aside,
peacefully ceding power to his democratically elected successor,
President Barrow. This was an excellent example of an African-conceived
and African-managed effort in strengthening democracy, and one that we
were proud to support.
Conclusion
Africa is a place of trusted friends and partners. We must continue
to journey together in our quest for peace and security, inclusive
democracy and good governance, a trained work force with economic
opportunities, and an empowered civil society. As an old African proverb
says, “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go
together.” We plan to go together with our African partners.
Thank you again for the opportunity to be here today and for your
commitment to advancing the longstanding ties between the United States
and Africa.
