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By Reuters 
7h ago
By Loucoumane Coulibaly and Saliou Samb
Abidjan / Conakry – For some Africans, President Donald Trump’s actions after the US elections have been the subject of black humor, while others reacted with dismay or disbelief.
In countries whose own recent elections were marred by accusations of cheating and violence, some expressed concern over the signal that Trump’s premature declaration of victory, allegations of fraud and the flood of lawsuits could send their own leaders.
“Trump is setting a bad example for Africa and a country like ours. You cannot proclaim yourself in an election where you are a candidate when there is justice,” said Mory Keïta, an auto parts dealer in Guinea.
Dozens of people were killed in protests before and after the West African country’s president won a disputed third term last month.
“It’s a total disgrace,” said Bachir Diallo, a Guinean mining executive. “Such a mess is worthy of a banana republic.”
As Democrat Joe Biden neared victory over President Donald Trump, others felt an acute sense of irony as events unfolded in a developed nation whose authorities regularly warn African leaders for failing to abide by democratic norms. .
Trump, who during the long and spiteful campaign attacked the integrity of the American voting system, alleged fraud without providing evidence, filed lawsuits and asked for at least one recount.
When the US embassy in Guinea’s neighboring Ivory Coast called for dialogue and a commitment to the rule of law on Wednesday after another disputed presidential election, some people were offended.
“I think the answer from the playground is ‘why are you talking about yourself?'” Wrote one Twitter user.
“They talk to us about democracy, it’s just a hoax. They don’t mean it,” said Maurice Nandasaba, while meeting friends near a newsstand in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.
Some of those who followed the US elections found positive aspects in what was happening on the other side of the Atlantic.
“It’s quiet and there’s no violence,” said Viviane Asseke, a school teacher in Côte d’Ivoire, where more than 10 people have been killed in clashes since the president won a third term that opponents consider unconstitutional.
“It makes you want to vote.”
But more people were disappointed.
“You would think we are in Africa when you see Trump’s behavior,” said Ange Kouame, 23, a student from Côte d’Ivoire’s main city, Abidjan.
“It’s scary to see this in the United States,” said Tito Kisiya, a sales executive in Tanzania, whose presidential election last week drew criticism from US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
In Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa, where Trump has many admirers, some criticized his actions.
“A fortune teller does not have to tell us that the America we are looking at as a model in everything is not even a model when it comes to election campaigns,” said Agbor Elemi, a consultant in Lagos.
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