This week will go down as one of the epoch making event in the history of the US and the world in general. This is so, because Barack Obama is a black person, and happens to be the first black person to win a presidential race in the US. But what does the Obama presidency portend for the US and the world?
Obama predecessor, George Bush presided over a disastrous and belligerent foreign policy that saw the US engaging in a war with Iraq. This, like all wars has been a futile exercise- costly and tragic.
The US has displayed intransigence in climate change negotiations and has up to this day not ratified the Kyoto protocol. If the US were to sign the protocol, it will mean a great deal towards addressing the challenge of climate change.
The US has taken controversial positions in its defence of Israel over the occupation of Palestine; it will be interesting how Obama intends to deal with this one.
There has been a tendency during the Bush presidency to want to haul African heads of states in front of court in Hague for serious crimes against humanity. Small wonder then that, the very same Bush has declared a war that has literally decimated Iraq, but no one calls for him to account in front of the court. This prompted the president of Senegal to argue that, Africans must be tried in Africa.
These issues will be looked at carefully during the reign of Obama. The New African magazine has observed that in Obama priority list Africa came right after Israel , but at least he is better that McCain, because the latter did not include Africa at all. There is a huge problem of protectionist approach by the developed world when it comes to agricultural markets. African farmers are some of the best in the world, working under difficult and uncertain circumstances. Yet these developed nations do not open their markets for African farmers. Huge subsidies are given to farmers in developed nations to cushion then against any financial loss, and protection of their turf.
Meanwhile upon hearing that Obama won, the Kenyan government immediately declared a public holiday, apparently to celebrate the triumph of their fellow countryman! Interestingly enough though, the Americans declared no holiday, even during the election day itself!
In South Africa voting fever is starting in earnest; the Independent Electoral Commission has started a drive to get people to register in order to vote next year. Political parties have taken this opportunity to present themselves to the voters. Next year’s elections promise to be very interesting indeed, a new party, Congress of the People (COP) aka Shikota is poised to take some of the votes from the ANC.
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