Obama’s victory and African politics                 

E. Ablorh-Odjidja, Ghanadot 

November 4, 2008

The word is out that a political party in Ghana, vying for the 2008 elections, sees in Obama’s victory a forecast of its own triumph come December; a laughable conjecture except, sometimes, a drowning man should be allowed to embrace the straw in his own mind, at least!

But before we ruin the effects of Obama's victory by describing or associating it with something that it is not, let us first recognize that his election will be welcomed by many in the world for various reasons, among which hatred for or dislike of President Bush will be one.

On other hand, Africans ought to see Obama’s victory as a necessary act, a providential doing to lift up the race and a marker of our social progress; regardless of our ideological affiliations or where exactly we live on the planet. 

In this manner, Obama's presidency must be as much a welcoming news for Colin Powell and Jesse Jackson, just as it should be for Kufuor, Obasanjo or Mugabe.

Foremost, Obama’s victory is also a lesson in democratic dispensation. 

He has been elected on a political party’s ticket; a party not founded as a result of a coup; nor coerced into existence in the wake of a violent upheaval. 

America since her founding has never experienced a political upheaval like a coup.  There was a civil war, but her citizens have been respecters of institutions, traditions and acts enshrined in the American constitution – a constitution that has never been shredded.

Obama, the president elect of America, appreciated the significance of his election, as exhibited in victory speech.

He said, “"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where anything is possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer…"

Obama was rooting for America's founding and her ideals and for nothing else.

Only in America, outside Africa, has it been demonstrated that a citizen of African descent can rise to the leadership of a country. 

This victory is a big booster for the American ideal, in spite of her slavery past. 

Surely, the moment of his election is worthy of emotion, as many Blacks portrayed.

T. D. Jakes described Obama instantly as “the chosen one.”

And his sentiment was echoed almost everywhere on earth - Europe, Russia, China, Japan, etc.

It also has to be acknowledged that this Obama phenomenon, a black executive of state, has only happened in America (outside Africa) and is not likely to happen anywhere else very soon.

The implication of the phenomenon recast ought to be obvious, that, not people of all nations will rush to accept the view of Obama as "the chosen one."

And for that reason, many Africans ought to be careful and not to read the wrong lessons from Obama’s election and victory as the first Black President of the United States of America. 

As much as Africans will want to see him as Black and African, and the "chosen one," Obama must still be seen as an American president first and that he is there in the presidency to pursue an "America first" policy. 

In this regard he will not be different from any of the presidents before him.

In the White House, he will inherit the mantle of leadership of the most powerful nation on earth, and the headaches that come with the office, such as experienced by Bush, Clinton and others before all of them. 

The notion that Obama will be loved at all times because he is African and a novelty powerful president is a farfetched one or at best a honeymoon idea.

Obama will be hailed by the rest of the world for as long as his policy choices are suitable or amenable to their own longings.

Some would love him the most if he pursued a mild, benign American interest first.

One litmus test area will be on foreign policy.  His support for Israel and stance against terrorism, if it followed that of Bush, will mark him as the great Satan, crude, and the “ugly American” for many.

Obama’s weaknesses, whether same as Bush's or not, will be exploited to the hilt.  But Bush, for all his problems, would not have to worry about race.  The cocoon of whiteness could make sure that some of his prestige and heritage are preserved.

As a Black president, Obama will be vulnerable, both at home and abroad.  He would be tested, especially by Europe.

Racism would not just die at the stroke of his incumbency.  Expectations from his presidency will be marked higher.  And world leaders would expect concessions from him that they didn’t ask from Bush. 

For instance, they will expect him to be “reasonable” in his fight against terrorism as if “reason” alone is enough to hold back the likes of Osama bin Laden.

They will expect inclusiveness, as opposed to American exceptionalism.

A writer from the New York Times wrote it this way after the elections.

 “…(In) the shift from campaign trail rhetoric to halls-of-governance reality could prove turbulent. And Mr. Obama’s soaring speeches have created such a well of anticipation that there is a deep danger of letdown. “

African leaders will have no less expectations from him.

Obama is a brother, they will say.  For this reason, his policies on relations with the continent can be fraught with pitfalls, as his predecessor Bush found out.

But, regardless of what one's thoughts on Bush are, his record in Africa has been stella - bold, generous, highly imaginative and successful.

PEPFAR, the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids, is a good example of a Bush policy that is working well for Africa and other Third World countries. 

And his MCA program is being hailed as a foreign aid success story in Africa, Ghana included, where it is seen as a ladder of hope for development and better relations with America. 

More will be expected from Obama by African leaders.  However, any reversals in the already installed Bush programs will be considered a serious letdown, should that occur.

Meanwhile, while we wait, we must continue to wish Obama success as the first Black president of the United States.

E. Ablorh-Odjidja, Publisher www.ghanadot.com, Washington, DC, November 4, 2008

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