Africa and the United States: A history of malign neglect

Abstract

Argues that the United States policy towards Africa over the last six decades has reflected a history of “malign neglect”. During the Cold War, Washington pursued its global strategy of “anti-communism” in Africa, resulting in a proliferation of weapons to local proxies and millions of African deaths. After the end of the Cold War, despite rhetorical support for democracy and economic development, US policy under the three presidencies of Bill Clinton (1993-2000), George W. Bush (2001-2008), and Barack Obama (2009-2016) continued to undermine these goals through a securitisation of policy and continued support for autocratic regimes.