What does the Joe Biden presidency mean for Malawi?
China is rising, of course; but, for now, let’s not lose focus with facts: The United States of America or US is still the world’s superpower, the leader in global politics.
Through its superpower status, the US shapes the tone of global politics and economy to the extent that its action and inaction on any policy issue affects millions of people across the world.
That is why change of government in US is a key policy issue that every country in the world pays serious attention to.
On November 3, Americans went to the polls, again, to decide if they should either continue with the Republican Party Donald Trump or bring in Democrat Joe Biden.
It is clear that Americans have given Trump a status of a one term president while ushering in former vice president Biden to lead them.
Unarguably, Biden’s arrival will likely be another chapter in global politics as he will also effect new policy directions that will affect the world in a different way.
So the question is: How will his presidency affect Malawi’s politics and economy?
In the first place, we need to understand the African context in which US presidents define their perspectives of policy direction.
We are coming from the background where Trump held little contempt for Africa both through his action and in action. He spent the entire term without stepping his feet on African soil; quite symbolic that Africa, to him, was of little policy interest to his presidency.
Further, we all haven’t forgotten how Trump lumped Africa among nations he mocked and attacked as ‘shithole’ countries.
From such a background, it is certain that Trump placed no value to African politics and that is his legacy. Malawi is no exception.
However, it remains to be seen if anything dramatic will change with Biden in office. It must be underlined that Biden has a remarkable history of standing up for Africans.
As a senator in the late 1980, Biden was among the senators that stood up against white minority rule in South Africa. He spoke against apartheid and he spoke with vigilance and continuity.
Further, through working with President Barack Obama, Biden was considered a darling to many African nations as he was seen as a friend through association.
From that perspective, Biden rises to office with goodwill from different African nations including Malawi.
Specifically for Malawi, Biden’s presidency presents both: optimism and cautiousness.
A key issue that Biden will be of great value to Malawi is his stand on climate change.
The US government is one of the key players in funding climate change interventions. In Malawi, climate change interventions help Malawians to adapt and, on the other hand, create employment for many people. Yes, it’s true.
With Trump’s denial that climate change is a hoax, it meant even cutting funds to that come to this challenge. His position was a threat to climate change fight and with Biden coming in, who believes climate change is real, there is a strong breath of hope and optimism.
Further, as someone with a history of defending the black race, Biden ushers in an age of hope and optimism which, arguably, is powerful starting point of Africa’s renewed relations with US government.
Despite that optimism, Biden, as a democrat, presents a go-ahead of some civil liberties that are heavily censored in Malawi.
For instance, issues of abortion and same-sex relationships are heavily scorned in Malawi. Biden, however, stands for this.
Arguably, his presidency will ensure that nations willing to work with his government will have to make it clear that they will support liberties of everyone irrespective of their sexual orientation. This will be hard nut to crack.
Otherwise, coming from Trump, who publicly exhibited his ridicule and dislike for Africa, Biden presents hope and optimism that, of course, need to be handled cautiously.
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We could also just stand on our heals and run our country in such a fashion that we won’t be moved by these so called superpowers. We are talking about climate change here yet lomwe tili nalo ndi dyela basi, climate change pakamwa ndalama mkumathela mmatumba. We are good at bootlicking coz we don’t want to get our butt dirty. We are a pathetic nation! We need a mindset change!
Only difference is he probably want publicly declare that our countries are a bunch of shitholes, not fit for human habitation. Otherwise as fully grown men with testicular fortitude, we have no business expecting crumbs from anywhere in the world. We hold our own destiny in our own hands.
All that cowtowing to the Israelis that Mkaka was doing last week at the expense of possible bombs detonating in our shopping malls by some of our own brothers with excessive jihadist tendencies, is nothing more than asking for alms. Lets stop prostituting ourselves to the highest bidder.
Malawi shld immediately stop establishing an embassy in Israel as there is high chance that Biden will reverse Trump’s executive order to move embassy to Jerusalem.
Exit the New Yorker corn artist through whom Africans benefitted less compared to his predecessors.Hoping Biden will continue where Obama left recinding what Trump did on Africa.
Expect wars in the Middle east, even world war three to come Thanks to Mr. Trump for making Ezekiel and Isaiah prophecies coming to pass as well as mr. Chakwera follow suit to have a Diplomat in Jerusalema as all Israelites are looking to the coming of Messiah another prophecy has come to pass that America has a woman vice President I’m looking to see how thing are going to be. The antichrist has already come openly to legalise same sex marriages even America will be more evil that God will use Russia to annihilate her.
Every few years we will be changing our social policies depending on US presidents, I remember the time absentainance was being promoted in Malawi during Bushs time, then safe sex during Obama years. Trump didnt care about morals so thats an advantage, otherwise it could have been a circus.
Personally I hope Biden focuses on economic development otherwise we are better off with the new emperors from the east
it more worse because these people will be a threat to the christians.
Achimwene don’t comment out of ignorance. In America every ballot has the name of its voter. Once you post it, you follow it online if it has been received and counted. It is an efficient old practice in America. You can not compare their system with what you are used to.
I live in America (California) and I can tell you that our ballots do not have our names directly on them. Once they get stripped from their secrecy envelope it is just a ballot with no name. All the states that have issues with possible corruption come from Democratic Governors that have invited and allowed the corruption to happen, all in the name of Covid-19. It will be a hard fight in the courts and Joe Biden won’t be sworn in until mid-January. Donald J. Trump has done more for African American then any other President since Abraham Lincoln who… Read more »
I have never heard a substandard answer as this one. You mean the democrats were being corrupt and the Republicans were just seeing?
Biden is same as tonse alliance, amakonda abortions komanso legalisation of gay marriage. So expect mtambo and trapence to get rich.
On the other hand trump wabeledwa guys, how do you accept votes coming in through post office, way past poll closing date? Someone like MEC chair Chifundo kachale angalore zopusa zimenezo?
See what Dr is saying above you comment.
Kodi ma kadeti ndi ku America komwe Koma nde muli pamavutotu
Mesa Kachale anali konko wanena kuti they were free and fair.There is nothing voting by post.Waluza ngati Chakwera uyu …kufuna mpando zolilira.
U will commit suicide coz of u r haterage of Chakwera. U pussy go to hell, cadet
Post office votes were those of Biden as well as those of Trump supporters so no advantage to either candidate here.
Postal votes were cast before polling day and only arrived late due to logistics but once again no advantage to either candidate since voters were from both campus.
Abortions and gas issues are political decisions that need to be handled carefully and mixing religion and politics is fatal for poor Africans who do not have financial capacity to stand on their own due to manly corruption. Sadly beggers are not chosers and we are beggers full stop.
Meant to say gay not gas
Kkkkkk.. umbuli ndi ovutadi hihihi… Unangomva kuti mail post basi wati amangotumiza ma kalata olemba amene akumufuna eti?
Bwana Atupele, can u tell me, what is this nonses called Bakili Chanel?