Obama needs to choose his African battles with care

HOPES that Africa will benefit from the election of a US president with ancestral roots in Kenya are probably exaggerated, but no one could doubt that Barack Obama does start off with a distinct advantage. His personal prestige will enable him to intervene decisively in African conflicts — should he choose to do so. His recent call to President Kgalema Motlanthe, for instance, to discuss the Zimbabwean crisis, showed his willingness to engage in a more personalised form of diplomacy.But he will have to choose carefully, for he needs to establish a record of success if this is not to become a wasting asset.Obama began his term of office last month under the strain of a global financial crisis and a deepening recession, continuing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, a near-meltdown in Gaza and potentially explosive relations with Pakistan, Russia and Iran. Obama’s foreign policy team will be plenty busy before Africa is even considered.Prioritising even within Africa will be a challenge. Five African crises demanded attention on Obama’s desk the day he took office — in Sudan, Somalia, Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Niger Delta..MORE..http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/topstories.aspx?ID=BD4A935190