Tanzania pledges ‘continued friendship’ with US

Americans woke up early to watch the US Presidential election, which saw Donald Trump defeat Hillary Clinton. Photo: Kim Lan Thonus

Americans woke up early to watch the US Presidential election, which saw Donald Trump defeat Hillary Clinton. Photo: Kim Lan Thonus

Tanzanian president John Magufuli says his country will have “continued friendship and cooperation” with the US, following Donald Trump’s victory.

“Tanzanians and I assure you of continued friendship and cooperation,” says Magufuli in a congratulatory tweet to the American president-elect.

Elsewhere in East Africa, Rwandan president Paul Kagame called Trump’s victory ‘well earned’ and Burundi’s Pierre Nkurunziza told Trump that, “your victory is the victory of all Americans.”

While Trump has largely been quiet about his foreign policy plans for Africa, it’s speculated that Trump would reduce foreign aid, which could lead to a lack of progress on diseases such as AIDS and malaria.

Researchers also say Trump’s approach to the war on terror could backfire.

“For Africa, the most harmful policy of the Obama administration was arguably the lack of follow-through in Libya after the ousting of its former leader, Muammar Gaddafi … it created a power vacuum that left the region thoroughly destabilized … Trump is determined to eliminate not only those directly affiliated with ISIS, but also their families. A growing number of terrorist organizations in Africa have declared an affiliation with ISIS, so this could mean hundreds – if not thousands – of civilians killed in drone strikes during his administration. An impetuous approach to counter-terrorism will undoubtedly backfire,” says researcher Zachary Donnenfeld.

“If Donald Trump were elected and implemented the foreign policy he campaigned on, he could become the single most effective recruiting tool for terrorist organizations across the globe.”

Trump, a businessman and TV-star who has never held elected office, beat out democrat rival Hillary Clinton and will be the 45th President of the United States.

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About the Author

Daniel Hayduk
Daniel is Dar Post's news director. When not in the newsroom, he spends his days helping NGOs across the continent find their creative side.