Despite the conflicts on the African Continent in Congo, Uganda, Sudan, Somalia and Kenya in Eastern and Central Africa; Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso in Western Africa and, Zimbabwe in Southern Africa, Africans wherever they may be, should get ready to celebrate what will be the most important event in Africa's history since the Slave Trade, namely the expected election of Senator Barack Obama as President of the United States of America, in November 2008. This will be Africa's watershed moment and time to shine! As Obama says, "We will not be divided." Africa wants to be a global player as an equal not just as an Aid capital.
If, as expected, the majority United States voters- Anglo-Saxons, Hispanics, Asian Americans and African-Americans combine forces to elect Senator Obama as President of the United States, this will undoubtedly be the most significant signal of reconciliation towards Africa, and Obama is unquestionably the ideal leader to preside over this reconciliation.
He is, after all, a son of a Kenyan father. In addition, he is the most intelligent African-American politician to emerge on the contemporary political scene in the United States. He and his African-American wife both graduated from the Harvard Law School. Barack Obama rose up quickly and was elected Senator to the United States Congress at a relatively young age. Most of all, he has introduced a political slogan "Change" and a new excitement in American politics not witnessed in almost a decade.
Obama is considered a breath of fresh air in the otherwise turbulent politics of the United States, fueled in part by the tragic and unpopular war in Iraq. If Obama wins in November and later succeeds in ending the war in Iraq, he will begin to solve the United States' second most urgent problem namely, bringing the economy and weakening dollar back on the road to recovery. This will deliver instant comfort to Americans who are convinced that the current economic problems are irreversible. Many world economists, in fact call it a recession and believe that the problems are bound to spread to other nations of the world.
Africa must celebrate Obama's victory for other reasons. He truly represents all races and if elected would be the youngest politician to emerge since John F. Kennedy. On the other hand, his Republican opponent, Senator McCain, is just the opposite. He is an older establishment Republican politician who would mostly likely continue the policies and George W. Bush. The special interest groups in Washington are counting on this.
As an African who studied, lived and worked in the United States and throughout the world, I have noticed the increasing level of African-American influence in world affairs, particularly in Africa. This has been especially so in the fields of fine arts and sports. Obama offers intellectualism and vision which can change Africa. Obama's favorite sport is basketball. Other African-Americans are interested in rap. Over the years, young Africans have adopted to "rap" like Americans. Now they rap in their respective languages! There is an undeniable connection. If Obama is elected President, these same kids might follow his lead to selflessly improve their communities.
Senator Barack Obama's election to the Presidency of the United States of America will send a strong message to African Leaders that it is time for Africans to truly embrace the democratic system of governance and stop believing in third, forth and even fifth terms in office, thus excluding their young generation from taking charge of the destiny of Africa. Perception is everything.
Finally, another gift that African-Americans and Barack Obama in particular, can bestow on Africa is to put an end to the politics of tribalism. After all, African-Americans have over decades intermarried with white Americans, Europeans and Asians. In Africa, too many nations, due in part to tribalism, still practice the politics of clinging on to power by whatever means.
