Summit on Africa Raises Hopes, Issues
allAfrica.com
February 18, 2000
by Charles E. Cobb, Jr.

Washington D.C. - Among the 3,000 delegates gathered here for the National
Summit on Africa, both the presence and words of President Clinton were
warmly received. "Africa matters," he proclaimed reflecting the banner
stretched above him on the wall.
Hailing his administration's accomplishments and making new promises,
Clinton said the United States must provide greater support for debt relief,
conflict resolution and disease control in Africa. Clinton also called on
Congress to join the administration in approving a $40 million contribution
to the cost of a United Nations ceasefire monitoring force for the
Democratic Republic of Congo.
After the speech, however, many in the gathering worried about the substance
behind the pledges and saw a politician taking advantage of a political
opportunity. Noting Clinton's promise of $300 million to fight aids in
Africa, Mel Foote of the Constituency for Africa responded, "that's parking
meter money. And Clinton's my guy. I love him. But he's a snowmaster, a
political mastermind."
Economist Robert Brown, a member of the New Jersey delegation, hopes
President Clinton's presence and remarks mean more vigorous attention to
African issues. "I hear that over and over from people who want that to be
the case," he said. Brown can only offer a tentative "maybe." If there is a
policy shift towards taking Africa more seriously, several delegates said,
it will be because Summit participants go home and make it happen.
"People here will make the difference," said a Summit official. "One of the
important but not remarked on things about this meeting are the new people
we've brought into the Africa discussion. We've got Utahans, politicians
from Colorado. People from the South and outside the usual organizations."
Africans in attendance appeared to welcome the pan African cast to the
meeting and took advantage of the opportunity to network. At one table in an
eating area, Eritreans and Ethiopians, whose governments are waging war over
a border dispute, engaged in informal discussion.
But protocol and the desire for political change coexist uneasily in the
Summit setting. "It seemed strange to watch President Clinton talk of human
rights with Daniel Arap Moi sitting there," said one delegate, referring to
the president of Kenya, who has been accused of widespread corruption and
authoritarian practices.. It was reported that later in a private meeting
with Moi, Clinton "delivered a very stern message" on the need for
constitutional and economic reform.
"Deliberative" sessions over the next two days will discuss a number of
issues. But one issue dominates the conference undertone: Recognizing that a
"constituency for Africa" needs to be built in the United States, is this
the organization to do it?

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