African Union Holds Summit Amid Trumps Presence as Elephant in Room

African Union Leaders to Address Impact of US Policies at Summit

The 39th annual meeting of the African Union is set to begin on Friday, with leaders from the 55 member states gathering to discuss the effects of US policies on the continent. The summit comes as the Trump administration’s second term has introduced significant changes in its approach to Africa.

Historic cuts to foreign aid and a shift towards trade policy have had a substantial impact on Africa, according to experts. The Trump administration has also made sweeping changes to immigration admissions, which have affected the continent. Despite these changes, the US president did not attend the summit, but his policies will still be felt by African leaders.

The White House National Security Strategy, released in November, gave only brief mention to Africa, with a total of three paragraphs dedicated to the topic at the bottom of the last page. The document highlights Trump’s efforts to end conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan, as well as his vision for US-Africa ties shifting from foreign aid to an investment and growth paradigm.

African leaders are expected to discuss the impact of these changes at the summit, with many seeking a balance between their relations with the US and other countries. The Trump administration has sought to forge new bilateral agreements with African countries, focused on resources and security gains. Experts warn that the repercussions of these policies have already been felt on the ground in Africa.

According to estimates, 26 percent of foreign aid to the continent came from the US, while direct investment by the country was estimated at $47.47 billion as of 2024. However, Trump’s administration has since dismantled USAID and cancelled billions of dollars in aid programmes, leading to concerns about the impact on global health and development.

The Center for Global Development has assessed that the current US foreign aid cuts could lead to significant losses in life, with estimates suggesting up to 500,000 to 1,000,000 deaths annually. The summit is expected to be an opportunity for African leaders to recalibrate their approach to engagement with the US and other countries, seeking a more reciprocal and predictable partnership.

Source: Al Jazeera