US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is on a gutsy mission in Africa. Eliza Griswold, a fellow at the New American Foundation, writes, “It is idealistic to think that Clinton’s visit might turn America’s eye more sharply on Africa. But it is also possible. Six months ago, it was utter lunacy to think that someone as high-ranking as Hillary would meet with the likes of the Somali President Sheikh Sharif. And yet today, it’s yesterday’s news.”
Clinton is currently in South Africa, the continent’s economic heavyweight. She wants to improve ties with the country after several years of strained relations. Meeting with South African officials today, Clinton discussed Zimbabwe and initial reports indicate that she did not strongly push South Africa to take a more active approach to the crisis (listen to Jeffrey Gettleman’s report from Pretoria).
Several analysts are expecting South Africa to reduce its foreign policy objectives under President Jacob Zuma. The new administration is faced with high expectations to improve the livelihoods of South Africans, the country’s first recession in 17 years and challenges from powerful constituents. These factors and Zuma’s leadership style will influence South Africa’s global reach.
“Jacob Zuma is a very different man from Mbeki,” argues Xolela Mangcu, a nonresident fellow at the Brookings Institution. “His ambitions for Africa – or for changing the global world order for that matter – will most likely be more modest. He has already said South Africa’s foreign policy engagements on the continent will be constrained by the global economic crisis. This is not to say that South Africa will adopt an isolationist position with respect to both continental issues. The country will however be more selective in its engagements by bringing a greater focus on those countries with whom it seeks to build strategic relationships both politically and economically.”
For more, check out CNN’s video on US-South Africa relations.
Photo from Denis Farrell.
