It may seem counter-intuitive to imagine that Africa could make contractual demands on the United States. Yet, there is evidence that in recent times Africa has become more assertive with a newfound confidence. In fact, it appears the continent is at a point in history where it no longer needs the begging bowl whenever its leaders visit Western capitals.

This sense of confidence was on full display when Africa’s leaders converged on Washington DC for the US-Africa Leaders’ Summit in August 2014. Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta, representing the views of the 50 African leaders, clearly projected the new face of Africa’s diplomatic acumen by asserting that “it is good to see the US is waking up to the realities of the potentials of Africa just as China did a long time ago.”

Unlike in the past when such a summit would have provided a forum for lectures to Africa on democracy and human rights, this time around it was about mutual partnerships, deals, trade and investments. “We want to build genuine partnerships that create jobs and opportunities for all our peoples and that unleash the next era of African growth,” President Barack Obama said.

Source: un.org