In his trip to Africa, Clinton talked big.
“My dream for this trip is that together we might do the things so that 100 years from now your grandchildren and mine will look back and say this is the beginning of a new African renaissance,” Clinton said.
Clinton gave the hopeful statement in the 100 degree heat of Ghana, inaugurating his African tour. His was the most extensive tour of Africa by an American president since Jimmy Carter visited two nations 20 years ago. In 12 days, Clinton visited Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa, Botswana and Senegal, applauding their efforts to bring about this new “renaissance.”
But Clinton promised precious little substantive help to the struggling continent. It was relatively self-serving. From the U.S. standpoint, improved relations with Africa is like eating from the horn of plenty. And why not? Africa has enormous economic potential. It’s a lush but economically uncultivated part of the world. Africa’s backwardness is the result of: 1) Warring factions who ravage the landscape, committing genocide and destroying the people’s initiative for progress, and 2) corrupt governmental leaders, who sap any and all intiative.
The abuses continue to this day. Nigeria suffers from the iron hand of military rule; Sierra Leone, Liberia and Congo must endure constant civil unrest; and Rwanda must cope with the reality that a half million of its own citizens were slaughtered ruthlessly. Two U.S. soldiers were killed and dragged through the streets after the United States intervened in Somalia.
The scars run deep. Despite the former violence, it is hoped that a new era has begun. Clinton must have sensed that the time is ripe to reach out to Africa and sow the seeds of democracy. Undoubtedly Clinton’s visit was in part motivated by the raw economic potential in Africa. Just look at manpower: Africa has 700 million people. This could translate to substantial growth in the United States economy. Presently, Africa accounts for only 1 percent of all U.S. trade.
One month prior to Clinton’s visit, another president went to Africa: Gordon B. Hinckley. His tour included Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa. In all, he traveled 53 hours in 10 days, covering more than 24,000 miles — almost the equivalent of traveling the globe — and spoke to more than 34,000 people.
The itinerary, to say the least, did not allow time for relaxation. The pace would have been grueling for anyone. However, for President Hinckley, the visit was too short. Even after shaking numerous hands, blessing numerous lives and expressing frequent messages of love to devout church members, he felt it was not right to leave. “I wish I could go to every group in every nation in this vast continent of Africa to give encouragement and hope and blessings to the people,” he said.
The impression he left with the African people will not be forgotten, however, even years later. Among the many endearing memories is the announcement of a new temple to be built in Ghana.
Clinton sounded the bell for the new African renaissance by applauding Africa’s newfound commitment to democratic ideals. Most of the world was watching too. President Hinckley’s visit, however, was comparatively low-profile and touched Africa on a spiritual level.
President Hinckley’s visit was at least as, if not more, important as Clinton’s, because a renaissance should not just affect a people physically, but spiritually as well.
