Chapter VIII. Develop Agendas for Cooperative Action with the Other Main Centers of Global
Power
Section C. The Way Ahead - 2. Africa
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Africa holds growing geo-strategic importance and is a high priority of this
Administration. It is a place of promise and opportunity, linked to the United States by
history, culture, commerce, and strategic significance. Our goal is an African continent
that knows liberty, peace, stability, and increasing prosperity.
Africa's potential has in the past been held hostage by the bitter legacy of colonial
misrule and bad choices by some African leaders. The United States recognizes that our
security depends upon partnering with Africans to strengthen fragile and failing states
and bring ungoverned areas under the control of effective democracies.
Overcoming the challenges Africa faces requires partnership, not paternalism. Our
strategy is to promote economic development and the expansion of effective, democratic
governance so that African states can take the lead in addressing African challenges.
Through improved governance, reduced corruption, and market reforms, African nations
can lift themselves toward a better future. We are committed to working with African
National Security Strategy 37
nations to strengthen their domestic capabilities and the regional capacity of the AU to
support post-conflict transformations, consolidate democratic transitions, and improve
peacekeeping and disaster responses.