Bush’s re-election ‘sad day for Africa’

South Africans on Wednesday bemoaned a black day for the world and its poorest continent Africa as George Bush appeared headed for another term in office.

”I have been keeping my fingers crossed that the American people will see some light, finally,” said Amina Cachalia, a prominent anti-apartheid activist and a top campaigner for women’s rights.

Bush’s likely re-election is a ”sad day for Africa, for Muslims all over and for the world in general,” said Cachalia, one of dozens of South Africans who attended a gathering in Johannesburg organised by the United States consulate to watch the election results.

While conceding that ”Kerry was a bit dull,” Cachalia pointed out that he would ”have staved off on Iraq” and ended a devastating war that began with an issue that has never been proven — Baghdad’s alleged stockpile of weapons of mass destruction.

”Now Bush can extend his campaign against terror further and maybe Iran will be on the hit list next,” she said.

She spoke as results showed that Bush was leading in the number of electoral college votes and Kerry made clear he was not ready to concede defeat as the outcome of the race in the key state of Ohio remained up in the air.

Kevin Malunga, a lecturer of law at Johannesburg’s prestigious Witswatersrand University, said the expected turn of events was ”a huge dent to multilateralism.

”The world’s most powerful country is getting back a man who refused to ratify the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, unsigned America’s membership to the International Criminal Court and seriously undermined the United Nations.”

”Bush had made it clear, despite his public pronouncements, that Africa was not a priority, so it’s bad news for us as well. He reacted very late to crises here — in Darfur, in Liberia and other places — which shows what’s important for him.”

However, James Lennox, the chief executive officer for the powerful South African Chamber of Business (Sacob) said the organisation had been rooting for Bush as he was tried and tested.

”It’s positive as there is a continuity. The Bush administration’s business engagement with Africa has been more positive … I speak of the Millennium Challenge goals, the extension and broadening of the AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act), the funds to fight HIV/Aids and his receptiveness to free trade.”

Signed into law on May 18, 2000, AGOA allows nearly 40 sub-Saharan countries to export about 6 100 products, including fibres, yarns, threads, fabrics, footwear, wine and motor vehicle components duty-free to the United States.

Lennox said proof of the positive spinoff of the Bush regime for South Africa was the fact that ”over the past four years we have been exporting about $4,5-billion worth of goods annually to the United States while importing $2,5-billion worth.

”Six years ago we were posting a deficit in bilateral trade.”

Simangele Sekgobela, deputy chief economist of South Africa’s Industrial Development Corporation, said Kerry’s campaign pledges were more in line with South Africa’s policies.

”He stands for affirmative action, which is what we are implementing in our country. He is against the death penalty, which is what we support. He, like us, is against privatisation of social security.”

”If Kerry wins, he will soften the stand on terrorism. This would lead to stability in the Middle East, the lowering of oil prices and in South Africa result in helping us to curb inflation and boost economic growth.”

However, she added: ”No matter who emerges as the victor, what the world needs now is a man who can end the madness in Iraq without force.” – Sapa

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