Trump-Biden duel: what the Malians say

 

After four years of Trump presidency, many Malians have remembered the character only invectives, insults, unwanted tweets, scandals. Suffice to say that the image of President Trump is tarnished to say the least, “even if some recognize him as a rather solid record”, as Dou Niangado, communicator and Malian blogger, points out: « Trump, for all that can be said, has a pretty good track record on the economy. And in an election campaign, it is always easier to defend a record than to defend a program. The re-election of Trump would not surprise me, it would even be my prognosis ”, indicates the blogger. This confirms that in Africa, and more particularly in Mali, a Sahelian country, even if the American presidential election is followed by far, opinions are decided on the two candidates.

Trump’s divisive profile data

« Donald Trump has a way of doing politics that is unworthy of an official, because he manages the country as if he was managing personal affairs. He has more of the ideology of a casino boss and has no respect for his fellow citizens. He pretends he doesn’t care about anything ”, says Adama, a bank employee in Bamako, who adds, “Cis a racist. I’m not at all a fan of the character, or of his way of managing a country. So for me it’s Joe Biden without hesitation!”. For Djibril, 45, humanitarian worker, the approach is different. “I would still like to continue with Trump. Because with him, a lot of things have changed. With Joe Biden, the problem, as has been said very often, is that he does not have a specific program. So it is better to continue with the one you are starting to master rather than having a new one in the system, ”he explains

Obamacare, a marker

For Amadou, social worker, the great mistake of President Trump and of having signed the killing of Obamacare, a law promulgated by Barack Obama, which aimed to guarantee health coverage to 32 million Americans who are lacking. A law criticized and unraveled by the Republican camp for its cost and its administrative burden. “Joe Biden must be elected so that Obamacare can see the light of day again. This great reform had raised hope for millions of Americans and this hope vanished with the election of Trump ”.

The strong impact of the race question

Another decisive point in the choice of support for one or the other of the candidates for the American election, among the Malians, is racism and the emergence of the “Black Lives Matter” protest movement against police violence. This is the point that forged the conviction of more than 80% of African-Americans that President Trump was racist, marked by the indifference of the president who is rather limited to supporting the police. whatever the situation. “I support Joe Biden because he understands the cause of black Americans,” reacts Youssouf, 21, a communication student, who also regrets that America has turned away under the Trump era from Africa.

Interest in Africa, an important criterion

“How to get passionate about the American elections when America is not passionate about Africa? », Retorts Aicha, student, who does not have a great interest in the election of the one who will become the« Commander in chief »of the first world power. « During Trump’s tenure, there was no room for Africa, neither in its development nor in its multilateral and even more bilateral support ”, deplores Mohamed, journalist. “That’s why, I think a second term for Trump wouldn’t be good for Africa. I think Biden is really the right candidate because while some think that Obama hasn’t done much for Africa, there’s no denying that he tried a peaceful policy that takes Africa into account. , even if he could have done better. Joe Biden could be a factor in reviving relations between Africa and the United States. Because, at the level of the United Nations and certain consultation frameworks, the WHO for example, the Americans, under Trump, have completely broken up support for Africa. For me, American democratic policy is more favorable for Africa, ”he says.

It must be said that during his four-year mandate around the slogan “America first”, “America first”, Donald Trump did not travel to Africa and showed no particular interest in the continent except he even called it “miserable”. Two Secretaries of State, Rex Tillerson and Mike Pompéo, have visited Africa once, as well as the First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump. Apart from these visits, his administration has not really engaged in the field. “It does not make me hot or cold,” cuts this politician from the north of the country. “To me, an American is an American. Vis-à-vis us, I have never felt any variation in American policy regardless of the elected president. So I believe that nothing will change, ”he asserts.

Security issues also taken into account

Nevertheless, the United States has a military presence in Africa as part of the fight against terrorism and in particular in the Sahel where American forces are cooperating with the French army, a leading player in the fight against terrorists. The 1st power also financially supports the G5 Sahel. But, for the past four years, under the leadership of Donald Trump who wanted to withdraw American forces from theaters of distant and deadly conflicts, the administration wanted to reduce the manpower of AFRICOM, the United States Military Command for Africa, as well as its support for United Nations operations. “It is important that Biden wins this election so that the leadership of the world’s number one power is preserved globally. That development aid and that in terms of intelligence and logistics to French forces continue and intensify against the terrorist threat rather than wanting to focus its engagement in Africa just to counter Chinese and Russian influence in our countries. There is more urgent! », Exclaims this former advisor to the Prime Minister

Despite taking into account all these criteria, many Malians questioned believe that, whatever the candidate, Republican or Democrat, who will win on November 3, Africa and the Sahel will not constitute a priority field in foreign policy. American. ” He It is time for Mali to start counting on itself, ”says Mariam, a 40-year-old computer scientist, who replies when asked about her choice of candidate:“ Neither one nor the other ”.

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