BRACING FOR NEW ‘POLITICAL TARIFFS’

NOTWITHSTANDING the proposed tariff issues unsettling the peace among cash-strapped citizens here at home, one cannot ignore the ‘political tariffs’ that may emerge as a new dawn awaits many countries across the globe following the landslide comeback victory for Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States of America (USA).

Such is the nature of politics, but this result, which comes against the backdrop of other major election upsets such as the African National Congress (ANC) losing its majority vote and the long-serving Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) crashing out of power after a 58-year dominance, was not entirely surprising. The Trump card was based largely on his campaign focusing on the bread-and-butter issues that affect the economy.

Spectacular

Now he has to deliver; otherwise, he may experience a spectacular election defeat in 2028. It is important for any government these days to tread carefully on matters concerning the cost of living. This rings true for our own proposed water and electricity tariffs, which many can barely afford to pay, let alone feed themselves. The public has yet to be given a platform to oppose the Eswatini Electricity Company’s (EEC) 25.1 per cent hike, and one can only urge everyone not to let this opportunity pass by. What we still need to know is why the public is not afforded a similar hearing for the 12 per cent water tariff hike that Members of Parliament (MPs) rushed to approve without our input.

My submission on this matter will follow in subsequent commentaries. For today, I wish to briefly ponder what the American election result could possibly mean for us, as numerous political analysts have predicted a ‘new world order’ that has its positives and negatives, depending on which side of the ‘Trump divide’ you fall on. If there is something to look forward to under a Trump administration, it is the hope for an end to the war in Ukraine and a ceasefire in the Israel-Palestinian conflict. This war has caused food price hikes that shouldn’t have affected Africa, which should be the food basket of the world. Trump dislikes wars and is not afraid of making drastic decisions, as shown by his recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in December 2017; a significant shift in US policy that stirred the ire of many in the Middle East.

Guns

These wars must stop, and the United Nations’ ‘Silencing the Guns’ initiative, aimed at promoting peace and security in conflict-affected regions, must be realised. One is wary of the perception that Trump has less interest in developing Africa and that a significant shift in US policy towards the continent is on the cards, exacerbated by his open hostility to immigration and the international system. Among the major African issues to be tested by the new administration is the call for reforms of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The Biden administration seemed to support the African Union’s (AU) move to become a permanent member of the G20 group and for the UNSC to expand to include more African members.
This was in line with the AU’s Ezulwini Declaration, adopted in 2005, which outlines Africa’s demands for UNSC reform. It calls for two permanent seats with veto power, an increase in non-permanent seats, and a re-evaluation of voting procedures.

Under the Trump administration, the US-South African (SA) relationship is also one to watch, given the expected renewal of US-China rivalry, while SA is strengthening its ties with the Asian giant. As they say, ‘if SA sneezes, we are bound to catch the flu’. There is no doubt we will be hearing more of the ‘America First’ slogan accompanying foreign policy, alongside the scaling down of the outgoing President Joe Biden’s human rights and controversial policies on gay rights and women’s reproductive health issues. This may ease the pressure on Eswatini regarding the recent push for the recognition of the LGBQTI community, whose bid has been rejected by the High Court. These are just a few of the areas to watch once the official US foreign policy is pronounced by Trump.

Comfort

For now, we can take comfort in the cordial US and Eswatini relations from which the country enjoys support and collaboration through trade benefits, under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). We also receive support through the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which have significantly impacted Eswatini’s health sector, particularly in response to HIV/AIDS. While U.S. officials have at times expressed concerns about human rights and governance issues in Eswatini, they have not been overly aggressive in demanding reforms and respect for human rights. Just how far these dynamics will change is for Trump to determine.

Congratulations to him, the Republican Party and the American people for holding a peaceful and successful election. We can only hope that whatever change he brings will not become a political and economic ‘tariff’ that emaSwati simply cannot afford.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: