African governments are understandably concerned about how
Donald Trump’s surprise election as the 45th president of the United States might
affect their interests.
Thus far Trump has given no sign that
he will accord Africa any higher priority than his predecessors. His promises
to expand and escalate America’s so-called war on terror, however, are raising fears of
US military intervention in Africa. Beyond that he has offered no policy views
on Africa and his campaign had only a tiny team of foreign policy advisers.
Unlike his opponent, Hillary Clinton,
and all previous US presidents Trump has had no previous government or military
service. Histemperament and personal behaviour, however,
have been on public display for most of his 70 years.
These too mark a sharp departure from past standards of
presidential behaviour. At this stage, Africans might benefit more from an
assessment of Trump the man we already know. His most distinctive personal
attributes are not so foreign.
Consider the following leadership traits evident during Trump’s
contentious campaign and current transition to his presidency.
Traits
that will give demagogues comfort
Favoring strongmen over strong institutions:
His accusations questioning the integrity of the US electoral
process and governing institutions were unprecedented in modern US presidential
politics. And promises that he alone could save the nation sounded more
autocratic than democratic. This will surely reassure the strongman in the
Kremlin (Russian President Vladimir Putin) as well as those who still rule many
African states and chafed at US President Barack Obama’s call for institutional reforms to limit executive
powers.
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