Author name:
اياد عبد الكريم مجيد
Supervisor name:
صالح عباس الطائي
Abstract:
The region of West Africa has occupied a great strategic importance in America's foreign policy, especially after the cold war, as this policy witnessed an observed American movement towards this region with the beginning of the 1990s of the last century under the changes that the world had witnessed through that period which represented in the disassembly of the Eastern system (Soviet Union) and the uniqueness of The United States of America in the world which is regarded as the only prevailing pole in the international domain. Therefore it followed a foreign policy which is built on that grounds, and fits the nature of the new phase. So, the world has become in front of a unique situation that embodied in the domination of one pole and its attempt to oppose its politics and will on others. Thus, its policy is considered universal and global that comes from the truth that its interests are distributed all over the world. As a result, it is necessary to subject the world to that policy and especially those regions that have a great strategic importance for The United States of America. Among these important regions West Africa's region that is considered one of the most remarkable region in the African Continent which takes a notable place in America's foreign policy according to its great significance on different levels whether political, economic, strategic, or security level. On the economic level, West Africa's region is considered a huge store for raw and unprocessed materials, as well as for sources of necessary energy like oil and gas, which American industry needs greatly. As to the security level, this region becomes very important in America's foreign policy according to its economic importance from one side, and its position among other regions that are included in the American war on terrorism from the other side, a matter that makes this region has a direct relation with American national security. Politically, The United States of America sought to win the attitude and approval of other countries of the region especially in the issues that have a relation with America's goals and interests. However, West Africa's region strategic importance comes from its strategic position which lies near the eastern coasts of The United States of America. So, as a result this makes America's reach to it is easy and getting all what it needs securely and easily. On the basis of all these facts, The United States of America has realized that this region becomes associated with its national security because a great part of its interests is associated with this region. Yet, this leads The United States of America to use variable means and ways that allow it to control the resources and treasures of the countries of the region. Hence, we notice that The United States of America has employed all the means of a foreign political action toward achieving its goals. Therefore, it moved politically through its managers and bosses, as well as holding sessions and conferences that gather both sides, in addition to reinforce the American diplomatic presence through opening new embassies and consulates in most countries of the Continent. As for the economic side, the American policy towards West Africa takes various shapes and directions. Sometimes it uses economic assistance and support as a means of perfusion to that region. Most of America's assistance and support are accompanied with economic and political conditions that touch the sovereignty and independency of the country that receives the assistance. Other times it uses investments and the spread of the gigantic American companies in West Africa as a means of economic domination on the countries of the region, especially after the increase of American dependence on the African oil greatly, in addition to all that, its dependence on the raw materials that are found in large amounts there and used in American industry. On the military level, West Africa witnessed an observed American activity which took different shapes. Sometimes it takes the form of a direct military intervention in the affairs of these countries, as what happened in Liberia in 2003. Other times it takes the form of military support through supplying the institutions of these countries with all what they need from military experiences and consultations, as well as opening sessions for African soldiers in The United States of America from one side, and from the other side, they send American experts to West Africa to supply them with what they need from military experience and consultation. By this action, The United States of America was able to turn the region into what is look like a military base for it to launch anywhere that may threaten its security and interests all over the world. This is revealed by its announcement of formation American military leadership (AFRICOM), since this action shapes one of American political dimensions to achieve its security goal. Nevertheless, this policy was not far from the international competition which glows between the international rising countries that attempt to control and dominate the treasures and sources of this region, and one of these forces is France and China which activate greatly in West Africa. As for France, it was a previous colonizer of the west of the Continent, while China is considered the dragon that searches for energy sources and necessary raw material for its rising and improving industry. These actions raise Washington's fears from losing its control on the region. Therefore, The United States of America moves towards all levels, whether politically, military, or economically in order to prevent the rise of any international competitive forces to it in the region.Consequently, The United States of America moves towards reinforcing its relations with all countries of the West African region especially those countries that have a political, economic, and military importance, whether on Continental level, or on international level. Perhaps one of these countries is Nigeria which becomes the most powerful strategic alliance to The United States of America in the African Continent. Hence all America's foreign policy and movements aim to control and dominate this strategic region and to protect its goals and interests there, in addition to its attempt to oppose its western liberal pattern on the countries of the region. From all above, we can conclude that : 1. West Africa's region is considered one of the most important strategic regions for The United States of America, and its importance is increasing according to its political, economic, and security importance. 2. The variation and multiplicity of the means and mechanisms of the American action towards West Africa in a way that allows and justifies America's free action there, and be insure of opposing its domination on the sources and fortunes of the region. 3. Due to its richness with sources of energy and raw materials, The United States of America sought to put a hand on these sources and raw materials that are found in this region, in addition to protect the American companies' interests there.4. Taking advantage from African market in general, and from the market of the west in particular, because from one side it will be a promising consumptive market for American goods and merchandise for more than 300 million human beings. From the other side, The United States of America will create work chances for America's new generations in the future.5. The increase of American dependence on importing oil abroad especially from African Continent which probably will reach to 25% in 2020 which leads America to consider West Africa one of the most important regions that it will depend on in the future, especially Guinea gulf which is rich with petroleum, a matter that leads many to say that Guinea gulf will be the substitute for the Arab gulf, for The United States of America, according to its huge petrol supply and the increase of the discovered quantities in it from one side, and because of the decrease of the Middle East oil (Arab gulf), as some records indicate, through the coming years, from the other side, in addition to the state of instability that the region witnessed which threaten the access of petroleum supplies to The United States of America.6. Facing the domination of the rising international forces in West Africa especially the French and Chinese dominations, and the attempt to weakening their role, in addition to depriving them of getting any privileges that they may have to get resources and treasures of this region and investing them, as well as depriving them from dominating on its huge markets in order not to be at the expense of America's goals and interests.7. The seeking of The United States of America to create strategic alliances in the region which have a military, economic, political, regional, and international importance, which can depend on in carrying out its foreign policy. Therefore America finds Nigeria (the African giant) the most important and active country in the west of the African Continent
