Human Rights and African-US Relations (view, people, cons, citizen)

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The United States could soon see potential in investing in Africa. China has already made considerable progress. Numerous resource booms have happened within select countries with others starting to grow a middle class. The OECD reported that more than half of the top ten growing economies are African. The potential is possibly there for the United States to expand its trade interests. We have already done so with Angola and Nigeria for improved oil security and purchasing crude.

There is however large portions of criticism surrounding whether we should try to engage and do business with, what we often see as, corruption, lack of transparency and blatant abuse of human rights. Such examples include, money laundering, patronage in the realm of corruption and redacting political rights in the realm of human rights.

American officials often state that many African countries have to improve their track record if more economic cooperation were to happen.

I however think that the United States need to further recognize that African rights often focus on people's rights that do not surround the individual but rather collective groups. For example, political speech of individuals is valued less over providing cohesive security and stability of society.

The United States should not miss out on an opportunity to invest and become larger economic partners with Africa just because we have a narrower view of human rights. Economic productivity could also help many impoverished citizens gain employment and improve their socio-economic standing.