Simon Ateba is Chief White House Correspondent for Today News Africa covering President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. government, UN, IMF, World Bank and other financial and international institutions in Washington and New York.
The United States should play a bigger role in Africa and help address conflict, uphold human rights, and strengthen good governance, newly elected ranking member of the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-51) said in a statement on Wednesday.
“The African continent has long been ignored, neglected, and exploited by the international community, especially by the West, largely receiving attention in only the most dire circumstances and through a paternalistic approach,” Congresswoman Jacobs said after her election. “But the world’s youngest continent – and one of the most populous – is shaping its own destiny and that of the global order, and we need to take notice.”
According to her, “the United States has a responsibility to play a positive role in furthering progress on the continent – like addressing conflict, upholding human rights, and strengthening good governance – and tackling global challenges together.”
“To do this, we must follow the lead of local communities and civil society and avoid familiar patterns of colonialism. Through my role as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Africa, I plan to recognize Africa’s key geopolitical power and help build strong, lasting, and mutually beneficial partnerships with African nations that center African voices and advance our shared priorities,” she added.
