President Barack Obama needs to lead the way to action in America’s African policy, former special assistant to President George W. Bush and South African Ambassador Jendayi Frazer said in a public address at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum Tuesday.
The forum, ‘Solutions: A Transformative U.S.-Africa Policy,’ highlighted Frazer’s impact on foreign policy in Africa’s health, economic development and debt cancellation during the Bush administration, as well as her thoughts concerning the future of Africa’s development.
‘The key isn’t how much money, but what’s done with the money,’ Frazer said.’ ‘We have to do more.”
Obama’s connections with African leaders are essential to the proper development and growth of the continent, Frazer said.
‘[The] Obama administration has got to meet with African leaders and has got to do it early,’ she said.’ ‘The core element is close collaboration with the leaders.”
Frazer said she thinks the Bush administration was successful in effectively reducing widespread debt by granting funds to rebuild nations, as opposed to giving loans that would ultimately leave nations further in debt.’ However, African nations should not rely solely on foreign support, she said.
‘We should continue to support them, but I don’t think we should take the lead,’ she said. ‘Seventy-one percent [of the continent is] classified as ‘free.” This is good progress for democracy. It is an indicator.”
While Africa has shown rapid economic growth in all regions, it makes up only 1.74 percent of world trade, she said. African nations must increase this to 10 percent to get out of poverty, she said.
‘Africa is trading at a deficit and will be faced with challenges to maintain its growth,’ Frazer said.’
Another major challenge is the status of AIDS in Africa, she said.’ Over a million lives have been saved due to foreign aid, but it is still not enough.’ Obama should focus on preventing the spread of the disease in the future, she said.
Boston University alumnus Robert Groffier said he enjoyed the forum.
‘I got an overall idea on which way things are going globally and what type of strategies the U.S. is employing for African countries in turmoil,’ Groffier said.
Attendee Lanre Aina said he thought Frazer was really open in acknowledging the mistakes of the Bush administration.
‘She was really down to earth about the administration’s mistakes. It was really good,’ Aina said. ‘She had a nice understanding that there is continuation in policy, which I didn’t know until now.’
Attendee Rahma Adam said Frazer was thorough and concrete in her ideas.
‘As an African, I see her as a very good advocate,’ Adam said. ‘Very few U.S. officials have shown that.’
However, attendee David Nance said he did not agree with Frazer on most of her points. He said Frazer overwhelmingly defended the Bush administration incorrectly.
‘I thought many people were perplexed by her willingness to support the Bush administration,’ Nance said. ‘I happen to think she was wrong on most things [about the Bush administration].’
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