USAU: AFRICAN UNION CHAIRPERSON DISCUSSES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 002641

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (ADDED CONFIDENTIAL TO PARA 9)

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TAGS: PGOV PREL AU
SUBJECT: USAU: AFRICAN UNION CHAIRPERSON DISCUSSES
U.S.-AFRICA RELATIONS

REF: ADDIS ABABA 002622

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1.(SBU) Summary: USAU Ambassador Michael Battle engaged in a
fruitful discussion with AU Chairperson Jean Ping when he
presented his credentials on November 2. Ping emphasized the
importance of the U.S. to Africa, and the positive effect
that "the new Obama philosophy" has had on America,s image.
He expressed his desire for the outside world to recognize
Africa for the progress it is making on shared values such as
democracy and good governance, and noted the substantial
opportunities that the continent offers. Ping also
acknowledged that the AU spends over 50 percent of its
resources on conflicts, and urged the U.S. to "think about
us." End Summary.

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THE U.S. AND AFRICA
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2.(SBU) U.S. Ambassador to the African Union (AU) Michael
Battle presented his credentials to the AU Chairperson, Jean
Ping, on November 2 and engaged in an hour-long discussion of
Africa and its relationship with the U.S. According to Ping,
whether you love the U.S. or hate it, it is "the leading
country in the world." Given that African countries are the
poorest, most vulnerable and least developed in the world,
the African continent cannot ignore the U.S. As evidence of
this, Ping noted that he himself will go to the U.S. twice
this year, once for the UN General Assembly which took place
in September, and a second time in April 2010 for meetings in
Washington.

3.(SBU) Ping spoke about what he referred to as "the new
Obama philosophy," saying it is turning the U.S. into a
country to be loved (though perhaps also still feared, given
its size). He noted that he went to Cairo 10 days after the
President,s speech there in June 2009, and was struck by how
much Obama impressed people. "The Muslim world has one
billion people and they,re trying to admire and love
America. This is something we haven,t seen in the past,"
Ping remarked. He also observed that the U.S. has changed
its relationship with Russia and suggested lending the
Russians a hand, letting them make the choice of whether to
take it.

4.(SBU) Turning to Africa,s relationship with the rest of
the world, Ping explained that there are five regions in
Africa plus a sixth ) the diaspora. Comprised of 152
million Africans living outside the continent, the African
diaspora is a critical group for the remittances it provides.
Cape Verde, for example, moved from least developed to
moderately developed exclusively through remittances. Ping
said he is proud that President Obama himself is part of the
sixth region, as "it helps us to be closer to America and
strengthen relations."

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GIVE AFRICA SOME CREDIT
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5.(SBU) In discussing Africa, Ping expressed his desire for
the outside world to recognize the continent,s positives.
While the AU has four pillars ) Peace and Security,
Development, Capacity Building, and Shared Values ) it is
the last pillar (which includes democracy, human rights, good
governance and justice) that the AU wants the world to
appreciate. Ping lamented the fact that people view Africa
in a negative light, pointing out that there are not just
coups and killings, but also successes such as the elections
in Ghana and Cape Verde. If you looked at Sub-Saharan Africa
in the 1990s, he said, you saw dictators where now you see
widespread democracy, albeit with some problems. Ping would
like to make Africa a continent free of fear and tyranny,
conflict, human rights violations, rape and killing, as well
as a place free of needs, where people can find jobs, send
their children to school, cure their family, and eat
properly. He feels that Africa needs encouragement for the
progress it is making and the goals it hopes to achieve.

6.(SBU) Highlighting the unfairness of the fact that Africa
does not get proper credit for the progress it is making,
Ping complained that no one says anything about the failure
of countries in the Middle East to hold elections, while they
readily point out Africa's shortcomings. The same is the
case with Asia. Ping stated that democracy is a process that

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takes time and Africa is moving in the right direction.
"We,re going to have our set-backs," he said, but, "All of
us will do everything possible to put countries on the right
path. It won,t take centuries."

7.(SBU) Not only is Africa making progress in promoting
shared values, but it offers significant opportunity as well.
With one billion inhabitants in Africa, to grow to 1.4
billion by 2020, "it,s not only China and India who offer
opportunities." In addition, the AU plans to construct a
Pan-African University with five centers of excellence in
each of the five regions of Africa. The hope is to avoid
brain drain by training professionals on the continent and
keeping them there. As an example of the severity of brain
drain in Africa, Ping noted that there are more Beninois
doctors in Paris than in Benin. He would like to collaborate
with American institutions, particularly in the areas of
capacity building, training, and exchanges.

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HELP WITH CONFLICTS
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8.(SBU) At the same time that Ping touted the progress that
Africa has made, he acknowledged that he spends over 50
percent of his time and resources on governance and security
problems. When he arrived at the AU, he had wanted to deal
with development, but was soon trapped by conflict. Turning
to Guinea, he affirmed that the events of September 28 are
unacceptable and that AU member states will do everything
they can to remove junta-leader Dadis Camara. Ping also
assured the Ambassador that Madagascar would be brought into
constitutional order, adding "I can assure you that none of
these countries where there,ve been coups will succeed."
(See ref for Ping,s comments on Niger). He urged the U.S.
to assist Africa with its problems, including
drug-trafficking.

9.(C) While Ping gave assurances that AU member states play
a fundamental role in managing regional conflicts, he
concedes that certain factors hinder the AU's ability to deal
squarely with governance issues. When the AU suspended
Mauritania after a coup, for example, the Arab League, of
which Mauritania is also a member, did not. This weakened
the AU's impact. You can bring everyone in the caravan, Ping
said, "but the caravan moves at the speed of the slowest
camel." He mentioned Libya specifically as being a slowing
force.

10.(SBU) Comment: Ping is sincere in his desire to strengthen
U.S.-Africa relations, and will be a supportive and valuable
resource as the U.S. Mission to the African Union expands its
areas of engagement with the AU. End Comment.
AMBASSADOR MICHAEL A. BATTLE
MUSHINGI