Why Is Trump Meeting with Five African Presidents This Week?
This week, the President of the United States has invited the leaders of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal to convene in Washington. Analysts suggest that the agenda will likely cover a range of topics beyond mere economic opportunities.
A representative from the White House mentioned last week that “President Trump believes African nations offer significant commercial prospects that can benefit both the American public and our African partners,” as reported by DW’s Washington correspondent, Ines Pohl.
In a recent statement, Trump highlighted the vast economic potential of African nations, suggesting that stronger economic ties could be mutually beneficial. However, his administration has cut foreign aid to Africa, labeling it as wasteful and inconsistent with his “America First” policy. The focus is now shifting towards trade and investment, particularly in the vital minerals sector of West Africa and regional security.
Why These Five Nations?
Trump’s approach to Africa appears to have evolved since his first term. During a White House meeting on January 10, 2018, he notoriously referred to Haiti and several African countries as “shithole countries.”
“We recall those harsh comments, but the situation has changed,” observes Prof. Suleymane Bachir Diagne from Senegal, who teaches and researches at Columbia University in New York City. “Africa is now on the radar of the Trump administration. The continent is increasingly viewed as a site for potential agreements.”
However, if Trump’s emphasis is genuinely on deals and an ‘America First’ strategy, the selection of these five relatively small economies raises some questions. “It’s surprising,” Diagne comments. “One might expect larger economies like South Africa or Nigeria to be included. Instead, we have these five nations, which few would have anticipated.”
The Role of Natural Resources
In terms of trade volume with the United States, these five countries are relatively minor players. Nonetheless, each has significant untapped natural resources:
– Gabon is rich in oil, manganese, uranium, iron ore, gold, and rare earth elements.
– Guinea-Bissau has reserves of phosphates, bauxite, oil, gas, and gold.
– Liberia is known for its manganese and gold deposits, with diamonds found near its border with Sierra Leone.
– Mauritania boasts iron ore, gold, copper, oil, natural gas, and rare earth elements.
– Senegal has gold, phosphates, iron ore, and rare earth minerals, along with oil and gas fields.
Concerns About Migration and Drugs
“Donald Trump is primarily focused on managing migration and drug trafficking routes,” asserts Zakaria Ould Amar, an international consultant from Mauritania.
“These five nations are located along migration routes that have historically sent tens of thousands of individuals to the US-Mexico border. Additionally, international drug trafficking routes pass through this region.”
Amar believes that these security issues will dominate Trump’s discussions with the African leaders. “Economically, these countries hold little significance at present. I find it hard to see what Trump could realistically negotiate with them regarding trade or business.”
Prof. William Ferreira, an expert on American affairs from Guinea-Bissau, expresses doubt: “I question whether this meeting will produce tangible benefits for the African nations involved. There’s no such thing as a free lunch.”
“Our president’s visit to Washington to meet Trump does not bode well for Guinea-Bissau or its citizens,” he states. Ferreira highlights that the Trump administration has either halted or drastically reduced funding for aid programs in Africa, including Guinea-Bissau, which diminishes any expectations associated with the Washington meeting.
Challenges to the Rule of Law in Five Countries
For Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, this meeting presents an opportunity to position himself as a respected leader on the global stage, despite facing significant internal challenges. His term officially ended in February, yet he remains in power amid questions regarding the legality of his continued rule. The timing of the upcoming elections in December remains uncertain.
“All five governments, not just Guinea-Bissau, are grappling with serious institutional challenges and violations of the rule of law,” Ferreira notes. “However, this does not concern Trump. He aims to demonstrate that he still has allies in Africa. For the five presidents, this meeting is a chance to present themselves as significant and legitimate leaders on the international stage. From their viewpoint, it greatly enhances their status.”
Gabon’s current president, Brice Oligui Nguema, faces serious corruption allegations and is linked to the recent coup that ousted Ali Bongo Ondimba. Liberia is dealing with severe social issues. Joseph Boakai has been president since January 2024. Mauritania’s President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, a general and politician, has been in power since August 2019, but the country faces serious social challenges.
Senegal, led by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye since 2024, is confronting accusations of facilitating illegal international migration. Guinea-Bissau continues to struggle with institutional crises, with civil society groups accusing Umaro Sissoco Embalo of undermining democratic structures and attempting to establish a dictatorship. His legitimacy is perceived as deriving not from the populace but from international endorsements, such as the meeting in Washington.
Diplomatic Achievement or Political Spectacle?
Lesmes Monteiro, a presidential advisor in Guinea-Bissau, offers a different perspective. “Sissoco Embaló’s inclusion among Trump’s selected five is a diplomatic victory,” he told DW. “He is a determined leader, respected and welcomed by the world’s most influential statesmen: Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Emmanuel Macron, and now Donald Trump.”
Monteiro emphasizes ideological alignment as a crucial factor in the selection. “Trump and our president share similar values: a strong focus on national sovereignty and traditional principles. Guinea-Bissau’s geostrategic location is significant to the US, and economically, the country could become appealing to the US in the medium term.”
