Biden’s Diplomatic Approach Amid African Coups: Seeking Alliance
U.S. special forces have displayed a keen interest in strengthening relations with one of the world’s most corrupt, oppressive, and repressive regimes: Equatorial Guinea. This interest culminated in the delivery of aid by Special Operations forces to Equatorial Guinea last month, following high-profile visits to the country by top U.S. officials.
The move comes against the backdrop of evolving geopolitical dynamics in West Africa. A Pentagon report from last year highlighted Equatorial Guinea as a potential location for a future Chinese military base. Simultaneously, U.S. relations with longstanding allies in Central and West Africa have deteriorated, often following coups d’état by military officers trained by the United States.
The aid delivery to Equatorial Guinea appears to be part of a broader U.S. effort to court the country’s president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has held power for over six decades. This initiative comes as the U.S. seeks to maintain influence in the African Sahel region, where its influence has waned.
“We hope that this donation is the beginning of additional cooperation,” stated Commander Michael White, the defense attaché to the U.S. Embassy in Equatorial Guinea, following the aid delivery spearheaded by U.S. Special Operations Command Africa.
U.S. Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea David Gilmour echoed these sentiments, expressing hope that the recent donation of medical supplies would pave the way for further collaboration with the government of Equatorial Guinea. These efforts coincide with increased engagement by the Biden administration with Obiang’s regime.
However, critics have raised concerns about the U.S. cozying up to Equatorial Guinea, given the country’s egregious human rights abuses, rampant corruption, and political repression. The Biden administration’s outreach to Equatorial Guinea appears to contradict its stated commitment to democracy, human rights, and anti-corruption efforts.
Experts warn that the U.S. engagement with Equatorial Guinea undermines its credibility and sends the wrong message to other African nations. The hypocrisy of espousing democratic values while cozying up to authoritarian regimes like Equatorial Guinea’s raises questions about the sincerity of U.S. foreign policy commitments in Africa.
