Relations between the United States and the African continent have always been a top policy priority for both

A new horizon. The foundation of the African Union augurs well for the continent’s citizens.

parties. U.S. President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell have pledged to continue their predecessors’ achievements towards the resolution of regional conflicts, the promotion of democracy, spurring economic development and ridding the continent of the scourge of AIDS. The U.S. administration will also be looking to its African allies for further support for its war on international terrorism.

Before leaving on a four-nation African tour in May, Mr. Powell stressed that “Africa is important” to the United States and the world. “There is no part of the world that is not a priority for the United States of America. There is no part of the world where we don’t believe we have an obligation to try to help people who are in need. And Africa is a place in need.”
Months earlier during his confirmation hearing, Mr. Powell praised the former Clinton administration for signing the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) that aims to strengthen further U.S. relations with the continent.
The key AGOA legislation will boost trade and investment with reforming African nations, and will benefit Americans and Africans alike by rewarding countries that show a commitment to sound economic, social and political practices.

The cornerstone of AGOA is that it adds nearly 2,000 more products from 34 eligible African nations to be exempted from duty under the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, giving these countries better access to the U.S. market and other regions of the world.
And with democratic reform in Africa a top priority for the current U.S. administration, Washington support for the new African Union will likely increase as the organization works to curb the influence of dictators in its midst.