The New US Foreign Policy Toward the African Continent

Following the ascent of Donald Trump to the Presidency of the United States, the international landscape has undergone a substantial transformation. Conventional theoretical frameworks in the discipline of International Relations, such as realism, liberalism, and functionalism, are confronted with novel methodologies that either diverge from these established schools of thought or blend them into new hybrid approaches. In this context, it is imperative to adopt a stance that empowers one to articulate a compelling vision for the African continent and cultivate a pragmatic ethos among nascent practitioners.

In 2025, at the onset of President Trump’s second term in office, the US initiated a series of reforms across diverse sectors, including Washington’s diplomatic approach towards African nations. It has been a year since the previous evaluation, and it is now possible to assess the orientations that have been adopted and the actual impact of Trump’s policies.

The African Continent has historically been a subject of geopolitical competition among major world powers. However, the new American administration has initiated a relationship with the African continent on a transactional approach to shared interests. This article will illuminate this novel approach and assess its efficacy in comparison to already established Western-Southern relations. Additionally, it will examine the responses of African countries to this new approach.

A Revelatory Moment

The Board of Peace, initiated by the United States President Donald Trump, has been the subject of substantial criticism. Many observers have viewed it as an attempt for America’s leader to assume the role of the United Nations Security Council. An additional grievance has been identified for sub-Saharan Africa: the region’s marginalisation was exacerbated by the fact that none of its states were invited to join.

Africa as the Site of the New Containment Strategy

In 1947, the diplomat George F. Kennan proposed a strategy known as containment. The geopolitical objective of the strategy was to prevent the global expansion of Soviet influence and communism. This approach functioned as a “middle ground” between peaceful coexistence and active military rollback. The strategy subsequently came to be recognised as a foundation of US foreign policy during the Cold War. Nevertheless, it has recently experienced a resurgence of interest following President Trump’s return to office.

The African continent has emerged as a primary theatre for the strategic manoeuvring of global powers, leading to direct confrontations between major international actors. The geopolitical landscape of the continent has undergone significant transformation, with the traditional colonial powers – namely France, Great Britain, and Portugal – being replaced by newer actors, including the United States, China, and Russia. This shift has created a new security dynamic in which certain countries have adopted more assertive positions, becoming proxies for major powers while maintaining tense relationships with their neighbours.

A re-evaluation of the Monroe Doctrine is necessary to ascertain its continued relevance to the contemporary political landscape of the African continent.

The 1823 Monroe Doctrine cautioned European powers against further colonisation in the Americas, thereby effectively insulating the Western Hemisphere. However, this policy may have inadvertently encouraged European powers to redirect their colonial ambitions towards Africa. The establishment of separate spheres of influence entailed a strategic realignment of global power, with the interests of the United States being directed towards the Americas. This geopolitical arrangement implicitly permitted European expansion in other regions during the nineteenth-century Scramble for Africa.

Contemporary interpretations of the Monroe Doctrine have shifted the focus from military expansion towards the prioritisation of US economic interests, with the objective of constraining the influence of competitors such as China and Russia in African geopolitical affairs. The prevailing US strategy in Africa, when interpreted through the lens of a modern Monroe Doctrine, emphasises the securing of critical-mineral supply chains, with particular attention given to minerals such as cobalt, lithium, and rare-earth elements. While the original 1823 doctrine focused exclusively on the Western Hemisphere, its legacy and modern adaptations have directly or indirectly influenced US-Africa relations, often centring on preventing rival powers from gaining influence.

Following his inauguration, President Donald Trump initiated several substantial foreign-policy measures concerning the African continent. The following are among the principal actions taken by the Trump administration in relation to the continent thus far:

The 2025 US National Security Strategy

The 2025 US National Security Strategy signifies a paradigm shift in the country’s Africa policy, marked by a transition from collaborative partnership towards a more instrumental and resource-driven approach within the broader framework of great-power competition.

The Washington Accords: DRC-Rwanda

In late 2025, President Donald Trump played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Washington Accords between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. The agreement aims to bring an end to a 30-year armed conflict by providing for the withdrawal of Rwandan troops and the disarmament of insurgent groups such as M23. A salient feature of the agreement is the establishment of a framework enabling U.S. investors to access the DRC’s critical minerals, including cobalt and lithium, in exchange for security guarantees.

The Sudanese Civil War

Massad Boulos, President Donald Trump’s Senior Adviser for Africa, has led initiatives aimed at resolving the Sudanese civil war. In collaboration with the “Quad” – the United States, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia – the administration has advocated for a cessation of hostilities, the facilitation of humanitarian access, and a transition to civilian government. Nevertheless, a sustainable breakthrough has remained elusive.

The Abraham Accords

Following his initial term in office, President Trump has persisted in his efforts to expand the Abraham Accords across the African continent. Sudan and Morocco had previously agreed to normalise relations with Israel under this framework. In exchange, the United States recognised Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara and removed Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Cutbacks to US Foreign Aid

Trump initiated the dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), shifting the country’s foreign-aid policy away from traditional development assistance and towards commercial diplomacy and a policy of “peace through strength.”

In summary, although these developments represent only a small sample of the Trump administration’s diplomatic policies to date, they nevertheless offer a glimpse into the fundamental framework that is likely to continue guiding US foreign policy towards the African continent.