Imagining Obama's Africa
Policy
A
Kenyan celebrates the victory of President-elect Barack Obama.
(AP/Riccardo Gangale) Shortly after Barack Obama's election,
South Africa's Mail & Guardian newspaper ran a special issue
depicting the president-elect as a superhero (Atlantic). But
the newspaper's editorial page took a more measured tone, warning
against viewing him as Africa's messiah. "The only lesson we
can learn from him is to reimagine the art of the possible,"
it said. Is Obama Africa's superhero, or just its role model?
A number of analysts and U.S. policymakers say he will likely
be something in between, devoting new diplomatic attention to
the continent but not necessarily increased aid or military
support.