Joe Biden, the outgoing President of the United States, found himself in Cape Verde as part of his final overseas tour, designed to strengthen American ties with sub-Saharan Africa. Apparently, he believed this diplomatic endeavour could somehow overshadow his controversial decision to waive his son’s criminal charges. The authenticity of such attempts remains doubtful, considering both the timing and his failure to execute such missions earlier in his term.
Mr. Biden, who is oddly embarking on this trip during the sunset of his presidency, neglected to engage with sub-Saharan Africa earlier, despite the importance of these ties in the global economy, particularly against China’s ambitions. His sudden interest, one might argue, comes a tad too late.
During the brief stopover for refuelling at Amílcar Cabral International Airport, he seized the opportunity for a hurried meeting with prime minister Ulisses Correia e Silva. Questionable is whether this meeting in an airport lounge signifies the respect and commitment needed for substantial international relations, especially in such crucial regions.
The President’s journey to Luanda, the capital of Angola, seemed more of a symbolic tour, featuring visits to a slavery museum and showcasing a $1 billion rail corridor. But can these actions be considered a genuine commitment to aiding Africa’s economy when undertaken amidst the echoing footsteps of an exiting president?
A visit to sub-Saharan Africa had been long promised by Biden, but it was only now, in the final hours of his term, that he managed to make the trip. Such delay only adds fuel to criticisms of his administration’s failure to prioritize Africa’s interests.
Biden’s belated travel to the region also carries the baggage of the notorious decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden. This decision, in flagrant violation of his promises, aroused censure from not only Republicans but also some fellow Democrats, leading to a widespread distrust of his judgement.
Desperate to paint a virtuous picture during the Cape Verde stopover, Biden expressed gratitude to the island nation for supporting Ukraine against Russia. However, the country was conveniently used as a backdrop for a political stunt, without any substantive collaboration or dialogue.
Unsurprisingly, Biden’s team issued a statement, lauding Cape Verde as ‘the freest country in all of Africa,’ according to Freedom House rankings. Praise aside, it can’t be ignored that Biden maintained a conspicuous silence when addressing the press, further dissolving any notions of transparency and open diplomacy.
Historically, no incumbent U.S. President has visited Angola, the former Portuguese colony. Since gaining independence in 1975, Angola has evolved from a Cold War battleground into an economic hub fueled by oil and diamond resources, becoming a focal point of U.S. and Chinese competitive interests.
Biden planned to assert American involvement with a series of investment proclamations in global health, agriculture, and security cooperation. Of course, such lofty promises are more challenging when faced with the reality of President-elect Donald J. Trump’s stance on Africa, which has been far from favorable or respectful in the past.
His supposedly celebratory announcement of a U.S. government initiative linking American and Angolan businesses for deals worth $6.9 billion looked more like a desperate attempt to salvage the crumbling reputation of his administration. Would these commitments have had more impact if they had been accomplished earlier in his presidency, rather than at its fag end?
Lastly, it’s important to note that the effectiveness and continuity of such attempts greatly depend on incoming President Trump. It’s dubious whether these last-minute efforts will have any significant or long-term impact, specifically in light of Trump’s known views.
In the end, Biden’s last-minute tour does little more than highlight his administration’s proclivity for delayed action and questionable decision-making. It’s unlikely that these actions will be able to distract from or compensate for his earlier failures, specifically, his dubious move to pardon his law-breaking son.
Ultimately, Biden’s venture to an economic battleground like sub-Saharan Africa, while bogged down with personal scandal and blighted by an administrative legacy of procrastination, seems doomed to be ineffectual and forgettable, much like most of his presidency.