Trump's 100 days in office: The highs and lows for Africa

Today marks one hundred days since United States President Donald Trump took over the reigns of office from the first African-American leader of the country, Barack Hussein Obama.

Opinions were split on how Trump’s relation was going to be with respect to the continent, given the relatively cordial and mutual stance of his predecessor.

Many Africans saw a Hillary Clinton victory in the November 2016 as a continuation of the Obama relations but that was not to be as Trump won lesser popular votes but enough of the electoral college numbers to emerge winner of the polls.

This article looks at the Trump presidency this far, from an African perspective. We will look at the angles of diplomacy, of security and what African leaders have said about President Trump.

Security – Travel ban, fight against violent terrorism

Three African countries were affected in both travel bans the U.S. leader has signed – Somalia, Libya and Sudan. However both orders have been suspended by courts.

The Trump administration has shown that it will continue the fight against violent extremism on the continent.

The sale of combat planes to Nigeria and pledges by Trump in phone calls with Nigeria’s Buhari and Kenya’s Kenyatta indicated that he was ready to held fight against Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab respectively.

The United States military recently confirmed that it will deploy troops to Somalia in the fight against Al-Shabaab. This will be the first such deployment in over two decades because the last US troops in the Horn of Africa country left in 1993.

According to the US Africa Command, the latest deployment will help to train the Somalia National Army (SNA). The about 40 troops are to be deployed from the 101st Airborne Division.

Diplomacy and Presidential meetings

Trump has so far spoken to three African leaders via telephone. Nigeria’s Buhari, South Africa’s Jacob Zuma and Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta.

In each case, the need to strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation in areas of mutual interest was high on the agenda.

His first meeting with an African leader was when Egyptian leader Abdel Fatteh Al Sisi met him in Washington DC. There again, Trump spoke about the desire to help fight Islamic State militants.

“Botched Diplomacy” – The meeting with Sassou that never was

The first meeting he was supposed to hold with an African leader was reported as one on Libya with Congo’s Denis Sassou-Nguesso. That was information given by Thierry Moungalla – Congo’s information minister. And that was before Trump was sworn in.

Hope Hicks of the Trump team said there had never been a meeting scheduled and that there would not be one before Trump takes office on January 20. This information was put out in late December. > Trump's first African meeting is over Libya with Congo's Sassou Nguesso https://t.co/W4Dk655WUt

— africanews (@africanews) December 27, 2016

Proposed cuts in international spending

The Trump administration, however, raised eyebrows on the continent with news that Washington was going to cut down on its financial commitments to the United Nations.

The U.S. is the biggest financial backer of the global outfit and a cut was seen as having dire implications for the world but Africa particularly.

Conflicts and instability on the continent have made Africa one of the major beneficiaries of UN support in humanitarian aid and conflict resolution investments.

The United Nations has such great potential but right now it is just a club for people to get together, talk and have a good time. So sad!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 26, 2016

Shekau, Museveni, Mugabe all express views on Trump

In November 2016, Boko Haram factional leader, Abubakar Shekau, released a message posted on YouTube reacting to Trump’s poll victory. Shekau said they will “not be fooled by people like Donald Trump or anyone in the coalition who is fighting our brothers in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan or anywhere else.”

“We’re done with Obama, now we’re going to start with Trump … We remain convinced by our faith and we will not stop. For us, the war is just beginning,” he said in the Hausa language.

93-year-old Zimbabwean leader, Robert Mugabe, in commenting on Trump’s victory said he preferred Trump over main rival Hillary Clinton.

“When it comes to Donald Trump, on the one hand talking of American nationalism, well America for America, America for Americans – on that we agree.

“Zimbabwe for Zimbabweans. I do not know him. Give him time,’‘ Mugabe told the state-owned Herald newspaper.

Barely a month after Trump was sworn-in as President, Ugandan leader, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni also spoke about Trump during a meeting with a group of US Senators who paid him a visit.

I have heard H.E. Trump talk about “America first”. It is okay but he shouldn't close America off the unique opportunities Africa presents. pic.twitter.com/83sOWkYLTO

— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) February 23, 2017

Just two months on, the Ugandan leader sent out another tweet about why he loved Trump and asked Africans to take their destiny in their own hands.

He was commenting at a security summit held in Ethiopia.

That's why I love Trump. He's told you he is not your uncle. This is good. For Africans who feel orphaned, sorry. Let's mind our own affairs pic.twitter.com/IdKs6u5Xl3

— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) April 23, 2017

Trump trumpets his own achievements

“My fellow Americans I truly believe that the first 100 days of my administration has been just about the most successful in our country’s history. Most importantly we’re bringing back jobs.

You ask the people of Michigan, ask the people of Ohio, you can ask the people of Pennsylvania see what’s happening see the car companies come roaring back in. They don’t want to leave.”