President Bush recently returned from a whirlwind tour of Africa, where he visited projects that are succeeding, met with presidents and national leaders, and committed once again to US investment in African development.
Once Bush leaves office next year, the dust will slowly settle, and some sort of general consensus will likely begin to form regarding his ‘legacy.’ The equation will be a complex one, considering 9/11 and Iraq and everything else, but any rendering of his legacy will have to factor in Africa if it is to be at all accurate. Bob Geldof, longtime advocate for the poor in Africa, has surprised some by recently saying that Bush has arguably done more for Africa than any other US President. You can read more here or in Geldof’s op-ed in the current issue of TIME. Heck, Brian McLaren has even voiced his praise.
The One Campaign sent representatives with Bush throughout Africa, and reported on the news here. Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist’s piece, addressed to our next president, is of particular note as we anticipate heading to the polls this November (and, in states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas, in spring primaries still ahead). Not too long ago I linked to ONE’s effort to pressure presidential candidates to go on the record with their plans for fighting poverty and preventable disease. They have now responded. Further, Obama, Clinton, McCain and Huckabee have all responded that, if elected, they will commit to visit Africa during their first term in office. This is good news, but we need to keep reminding (potential) powers that be that our concern with Africa is not peripheral, but will have a real, tangible effect on who we’ll vote for. Let’s not let any candidate off the hook too easily, people.
This is not the end. If anything, it is the starting line. Let’s prioritize the “least of these”, and take help wherever we can find it.