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US President Donald Trump speaks to the press at General Mitchell International Airport.
- Africans have reacted with humor, dismay and disbelief to the aftermath of the US elections.
- Some have found the facts ironic, given that African leaders are often reprimanded for failing to respect democratic norms.
- Others have called it a “total disgrace”.
For many Africans, President Donald Trump’s actions after the US elections have been the subject of black humor, but others have reacted with dismay or disbelief.
In countries whose own recent elections were marred by accusations of cheating and violence, some expressed alarm at the signal that Trump’s premature declaration of victory, allegations of fraud and the flurry 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 controversial 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 the vote count pointed to a victory for Democrat Joe Biden, others felt a sharp sense of irony as they watched events unfold in a developed nation whose authorities regularly warn African leaders for failing to abide by democratic norms.
When the US embassy in Guinea’s neighboring Côte d’Ivoire called for dialogue and commitment to the rule of law on Wednesday following another disputed presidential election, it sparked a flurry of reactions.
“I think the answer from the playground is ‘why are you talking about yourself?'” Replied a Twitter user.
“What we are seeing from Trump is no different than what we have been seeing in African politics. Yet it is scary to see this in America,” said Tito Kisiya, a sales executive in Tanzania, whose presidential election last week It drew criticism from Mike Pompeo, the US Secretary of State.
Still, some of those who followed the US elections found positives to take away.
“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.”
