The United States of America's Strategic Policy Goals in Sub-Saharan Africa: Beyond Humanitarianism and Development Assistance

Africa has always been presented as a unique case in international relations theory. The imbalances inherited from colonization and the various challenges African nations faced following their independence coupled with weak institutional capability contributed to make the region a place where, most believe, American foreign policy goals can never rise above humanitarianism, aid and assistance.;This study was initiated with the premises that Africa plays a bigger role in US global strategy; a role which goes beyond humanitarianism as Africa is very much part of the global community and through its interactions with other members of aforementioned community has often become a key component of US foreign policy objectives. It was the case during the Cold War when some African nations opted for a Soviet inspired model of development and thus drew the attention of US policy makers. It is the case now as US security concerns very much affect the countries of the Horn of Africa but also countries like Mali and Nigeria. The US is also, trying to diversify its energy suppliers because of recent upheavals in the Middle East and, this has led it to increase the share of its energy imports from SSA. Finally, the Chinese presence on the African continent has shown that while prospects are limited, SSA still is a potential market in need of industrialized goods.;This thus calls for a change in attitudes and perceptions in policy-making toward Africa.;The study, interviews and research conducted revealed that while changes are indeed taking place in SSA and prompting similar responses in US foreign policy making, humanitarianism will still remain a component of US foreign policy. Because African governments do not have the capabilities needed to face the threats of international terrorism, natural disasters, the spread of diseases, or to fill some of the very functions that could stabilize their own domestic contexts (reduce inequalities, set up more participatory forms of governance, etc.), humanitarianism becomes a necessary component of U.S. foreign policy.