US-Africa Insights With Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.
February 20, 2024
By Ajong Mbapndah L
As Black Americans, we have always held Africa in our hearts and knew there would be a day when the world would understand the importance of Africa and her people, says Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. Photo courtesy.
Thanks to the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, there has been a renewed commitment on maintaining engagements across the continent and putting Africa at the forefront, says US Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-FL 20th District.
Fielding questions from PAV in a Black History Month Interview Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick says the Biden -Harris Administration has shown unwavering commitment in US-Africa engagement. In 2023 alone, 17 Cabinet and leaders of U.S. Government Departments have visited 26 countries in Africa, including Secretary Blinken and Secretary Yellen, says Rep. McCormick, a member of the Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee and the Congressional Black Caucus.
“As Black Americans, we have always held Africa in our hearts and knew there would be a day when the world would understand the importance of Africa and her people. the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has spent decades building relationships with African nations and is poised and ready to work with and fight alongside Africans for fair and inclusive treatment in the global community,” Congresswoman McCormick says.
This interview is being done in the background of the Black Heritage Month, can you situate its context and importance to the African -American community in the USA?
Rep Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick:Black people in America have overcome countless obstacles and systemic persecution. During Black History Month, we remember not just the injustices but the tenacious souls of our ancestors who made America a better place for us all.
We celebrate the countless achievements and progress we have made as Black Americans throughout history. As we reflect on the sacrifices of those who came before us, we also have a responsibility to uplift Black voices and fight for a better future. This month reminds us of this responsibility and the role each of us must play.
Black History Month is even more important now than ever because we have a growing population of racism deniers and pro-slavery advocates who believe slavery was beneficial and that there is no need for affirmative, systemic steps toward equality.
Since its founding, the CBC has helped chart an improved course for U.S.-Africa relations, while remaining outspoken about the need to confront global health and human rights challenges head-on. Today, we are 60 members strong, including 6 serving on the Foreign Affairs committee and 3 on the Africa subcommittee.
Alongside my colleagues, we sit on the shoulders of those who championed stronger U.S.-Africa relations and I am ensuring that this commitment never wavers, especially in the face of competing foreign policy challenges. My colleagues and I introduced a resolution supporting the African Union’s permanent membership in the G20.
Secretary Blinken’s recent trip to Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Angola is a clear indication that Africa matters to the U.S. despite ongoing international conflicts. We are increasing our economic and cultural ties and are committed to strengthening our relationships in a mutually beneficial way.
Since its founding, the CBC has helped chart an improved course for U.S.-Africa relations, says Rep. McCormick pictured here with some CBC colleagues and officials from Rwanda.
It has been over a year now since the last USA-Africa’s Leaders’ Summit took place, how well has the U.S. done in keeping engagements it made?
The Biden-Harris Administration has already pledged unprecedented investments to fulfill this commitment. According to the Africa Development Bank, the continent needs to mobilize roughly $100 billion annually to build its infrastructure. At the G7, we pledged a $300 million investment in Ghana for data centers as part of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) and are considering funding a $250 million railway from Angola to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Additionally, the US Export-Import Bank also authorizes $1.6 billion for infrastructure. During the summit, U.S. and African firms signed $15.7 billion in agreements in industries including infrastructure, healthcare, renewable energy, technology, and agriculture.
Ambassador Johnnie Carson has been tasked to ensure those commitments are fulfilled and is building out the diplomatic infrastructure to carry out our priorities. In September, I was honored to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States — which was first announced by the Vice President at the summit. I believe a lot of progress has been made on this front and I anticipate more investment will flow with a robust diplomatic foundation in place.
You joined Vice President Kamala Harris on her trip to Africa. What impressions did you come out with when you visited Ghana?
Rep Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick: The trip itself had several overarching security and economic priorities in mind, which came across in my meetings with the President and his cabinet. I heard and saw it firsthand. We discussed how we can help strengthen democracy and security in the areas closest to Ghana’s northern border. We also spoke about the success of Flintlock and the need to continue security exercises, especially with Islamist militants and Russian mercenaries just over the border.
We had extensive conversations about investment and economic opportunities with the African diaspora at the forefront. Ghana was previously one of the region’s strongest economies but has had to navigate a debt crisis and rising inflation. There are opportunities for America to collaborate with Ghana on many economic-related issues, including climate change, irrigation, and recycling.
In the backdrop of these conversations was China, which has extended its influence across the continent and is attempting to put our allies in a tight position to shore up its relationships.
Vice President Harris was spot-on when she said that “African ingenuity and innovation” are what will shape the future of our world. We must redefine what it means to live and work in Africa.
I watched the Vice President connect with the continent in ways that few leaders can, dismantling archaic perceptions of Africa’s potential for greatness. This was particularly evident in her interactions with Africa’s youth. With the world’s youngest population and a median age of 19, African youth have immense potential to drive economic growth and innovation, both on the continent and globally.
Since your election to Congress, you have shown strong interest in the role of the diaspora in supporting trade and investment in Africa and Latin America. As we are entering the second session of the 118th Congress, Congresswoman, what are you planning to do to foster broader engagement with Africa and the US?
Rep Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick: The world is in the midst of a geopolitical shift and democracy is being tested. In Africa, there are many elections scheduled, no different than in previous years. However, this year is marked by greater security threats. This includes the crisis in ECOWAS countries and its coup d’etats (which are supported by Africa public opinion), the first historical elections in South Sudan, and most importantly, the growing strategic and economic importance of the African continent and its diaspora.
For these reasons, I believe we should have a more robust and mutually beneficial agenda toward Africa.
That includes the reauthorization of PEPFAR, an urgent extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), the acceleration of implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and deeper bilateral trade ties. We should also make sure we respond to the African people's aspirations by protecting their basic rights, providing humanitarian assistance when it is needed, and creating an enabling environment for people to prosper — especially entrepreneurs, women, and children.
With your Haitian background, what efforts are you making beyond serving your constituents to get the USA to do more to help in improving the security situation of the country?
Rep Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick: Armed criminal gangs continue to wreak havoc across Haiti, fanning the flames of a worsening humanitarian crisis and leading many to fear for their safety. They have gained strength for years, without any kind of accountability.
I was proud to help introduce the Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act, which unanimously passed in the House. This critical piece of legislation would require the Secretary of State to submit an annual report to Congress on the ties between criminal gangs and political and economic elites in Haiti. It would also impose the necessary sanctions on parties involved in such criminal activities.
Another issue critical to Haiti’s security situation is the illegal guns that are coming directly from South Florida and winding up in the hands of gangs. In response to this, I introduced the ARMAS Act with my colleagues. The bill seeks to disrupt gun trafficking from the U.S. to the Caribbean and Latin America by implementing stronger transparency, accountability, and oversight mechanisms for U.S. arms exports.
By shining a light on the connection between these violent criminal enterprises and corrupt leaders, along with levying a series of crippling economic sanctions, we can better address the chaos that has engulfed Haiti.
The Biden-Harris Administration’s unwavering commitment to U.S.-Africa engagement is front and center, says Rep. McCormick. Photo credit Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call/Getty Images
Are you in support of moves by African countries like Kenya to send forces to Haiti to help with the crisis?
Rep Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick: The response to the gang violence in Haiti depends on support from the entire international community. I have consistently advocated for a multinational security mission in Haiti for over a year, as this remains the most immediate solution to restore order. I am grateful for Kenya’s commitment and leadership to spearhead a force.
Past missions to Haiti have violated the rights and dignity of the Haitian people. I am glad that the UN resolution authorizing this mission calls on the mission to establish accountability measures to prevent human rights abuses and has other mechanisms in place to protect the people of the country. For the mission to be successful, any international personnel must be well-vetted, and abide by human rights guidelines. There must also be a monitoring mechanism in place to lessen the chances of abuse.
With his first mandate coming to an end, President Biden is still to personally visit Africa. Does this not send mixed messages about the seriousness of U.S. engagement with Africa?
As you represent a district in Florida, why is your position on the House Foreign Affairs Committee important to your state?
Rep Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick: South Florida is an economic engine that fuels international commerce, especially with ports that are the gateway to Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa. As a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I continue to advocate for ongoing trade, investment, and tourism across those three regions and the Sunshine State.
Throughout its history, the CBC’s female members particularly have made enormous contributions to the advancement of gender equity. Today, however, significant gender disparities remain, with women around the world. You serve as Chair for Diversity & Inclusion in the Democratic Women’s Caucus. How is America stronger on the world stage when its leadership reflects the full diversity of our country? How does greater inclusion lead to better development outcomes, particularly for underrepresented groups?
Rep Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick: I believe gender disparity is not just an equity issue. It is also an economic issue. I saw this firsthand in Ghana last year with Vice President Harris, when I accompanied her on her historic trip to Africa. Gender disparity costs sub-Saharan Africa close to $95 billion annually. If gender gaps can be closed in labor markets, education, health, and other areas, then poverty and hunger eradication can be achieved.
Gender equality in the labor market is not just a matter of fairness. It is good economics. Countries that improve gender equality in labor markets through 2030 could see large gains in economic growth.
Currently, women represent more than half of Africa’s combined population, but only generate 1/3 of the continent’s collective GDP. In the agriculture sector, for example, they represent 70 percent of the labor force and play a crucial role in the entire value chain. However, they still lack access to credit, land ownership, finance, and the global market. We need to address this if we want to tackle food security and climate change.
The solution is economic empowerment. By creating an environment where women have a front seat to economic opportunity, we can expect benefits for their entire communities. While men invest just 30% to 40% of their incomes into their family’s needs, studies show that women reinvest up to 90%.
