US Reaffirms Faith in Nigeria
From Constance Ikokwu in Washington, D.C., 02.06.2008
As President George W Bush prepares for his second official trip to Africa, the United States (US) government has once again expressed its commitment to Nigeria in spite of the numerous challenges facing the country.
An Assistant to the President on National Security Affairs, Stephen Hadley, said although Nigeria is not one of the countries to be visited, the country remains a “strategic” and “important” partner to the US.
According to Hadley, “Nigeria is one of our important partners and it is an exciting country. We'll be working closely with Nigeria. It is one of our strategic partners in Africa.”
President Bush and his wife, Laura, will be in Africa between February 15 and 21. They will visit Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana and Liberia, where Bush is expected to meet with Presidents Benjamin Mkapa, Paul Kagame, John Kufuor and Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.
THISDAY gathered that issues on human rights, democratic reform, free trade, and open investment regimes will be on Bush’s agenda during the visit.
The White House also says it will be an opportunity for Bush to review first hand the progress made on HIV/AIDS, malaria and economic development since his last trip to the continent in 2003.
Bush had made his first official trip to Africa with a visit to former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, at Abuja in 2003.
Oil is the cornerstone of US/Nigeria relations.
Instability in the Niger Delta is a source of concern to both countries as Nigeria is a major exporter of oil to the US. Nigeria currently supplies about 15 per cent of US energy needs.
Analysts say the US is keen on securing oil supplies from Africa and the Middle East. The volatility of the Middle East - instability in Iraq and contentious relations with Iran - has made the US look more to Africa.
In a visit to Saudi-Arabia last month, Bush had publicly asked the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to increase oil output.
The world and particularly the US had been hit hard by high oil prices.
With US economy on the brink of recession, fear is mounting that consumers will bear the brunt.
Bush had secured President Yar'Adua's support for the new US/Africa Command (AFRICOM) during a visit to the White House last year.
Yar’Adua’s support for AFRICOM had generated controversy in the country, which culminated in the US ambassador to Nigeria saying last week that his country had no intention of having a base in the African continent.
This however appears to be an afterthought or policy change following widespread condemnation of the command.
