As our ancestors taught us, “When two elephants fight, it’s the grass that suffers.” Today, dear African brothers and sisters, we watch America’s political elephants stampede toward the White House while our continent lies in their path like savannah grass in the dry season.
In one corner stands Donald Trump, the Manhattan Mogul with a selective memory for racial justice. His previous African policy could be summarised as “Where’s the profit?” On the other, Kamala Harris, California’s Chameleon Queen. Americans continue to debate her African roots as if to say that California did not keep records at the time of her Birth. Some say her identity seems to deepen or fade depending on the political season.
Let’s dissect what either victory means for our beloved continent beyond the hollow promises and diplomatic niceties.
The Trump Scenario: Return of the Deal-Maker’s Desert
Should the real estate emperor reclaim his throne, Africa must brace for the familiar storm. Much like a desert wind, his “America First” doctrine threatens to dry up the wells of aid that sustain our economies. During his first term, Trump painted our nations with a broad brush of dismissal. He famously said “shithole nations”. But he wasn’t wrong. The only ones who were offended were our Narcoqueens and Godfathers, aka politicians. Trump is good for Africa. He makes our leaders think and provokes us all to self-reliance.
Under Trump’s first reign, US-Africa trade shrivelled like a baobab in drought, plummeting to $41 billion in 2018 from its glory days of $100 billion in 2008. Even with AGOA’s supposed gift of tariff-free access for 6,900 products from 39 African countries, our exports to America barely scratched $20 billion, while American goods flowing our way stood at $12 billion. These aren’t just numbers, dear African family; they’re the breadcrumbs from America’s feast table.
But beyond these digits lies a more profound concern—his historical dance with racial controversy. Trump’s record reads like a cautionary tale from a Wolof griot. From housing discrimination lawsuits and the Central Park Five saga to the Charlottesville “very fine people on both sides” comment on August 17th 2017, Trump cannot hide his true feelings on race.
The Harris Horizon: Diaspora’s Daughter or Democracy’s Decorator? If Harris claims victory, Africa faces a different puzzle. Will the daughter of diaspora remember her ancestral home, or will she, like many before her, sacrifice African interests on the altar of American pragmatism? Pardon my bias. I’m saying that without acknowledging she is South Asian, too. Her border crisis management raises eyebrows higher than a Yuroba woman’s gele about her approach to Global South challenges.
Yet, her promises sparkle like Lake Victoria at sunrise: renewed trade partnerships, climate change collaboration, and support for democracy. But as our elders say, “A promise is a cloud; fulfilment is the rain.”
The Real Stakes: Beyond American Theatrics
Regardless of who claims the oval throne, Africa’s challenge remains unchanged. At the same time, Washington’s warriors wage their ballot battles. The mandate to milk us through our low-IQ greedy leaders is constant. China continues its economic embrace, Russia extends its influence, and our resources still flow outward like the mighty Niger River.
Chink in the Armour
The bitter truth in my African family lies in our continued dependence on Western whims. Whether it’s Trump’s transactional theatrics or Harris’s heritage headlines, we still seek salvation from systems built to extract, not elevate.
Tiger’s Roar
The time has come, Africa, to stop begging. Learn to feed yourself and choose leaders who can think. So far, you are blaming all your leaders, but you chose them. It’s like a young, beautiful woman who accepts a man’s proposal to marry and then cries wolf when he begins to abuse her. The signs were there, but she overlooked them because he reminded her of a rich movie star.
Whether America chooses its golden-haired gladiator or its barrier-breaking daughter, it’s not our business. Our path forward must be carved by African hands, guided by African minds, and fueled by African hearts.