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1B95052
Africa: U.S. Foreign Assistance Issues
SUMMARY
Under the Administration's FY2006
foreign assistance request, U.S. aid to sub-
Saharan Africa would continue to grow, due
to sharp increases through the State
Department's Global HIV/AIDS Initiative.
Twelve "focus countries"in Africa are benefit-
ting substantially under this program. Assis-
tance through the Child Survival and Develop-
ment Assistance programs would decline,
although the Foreign Operations Appropria-
tions Act (P.L.109-102) provides more than
requested worldwide for these programs.
Overall, non-food aid to Africa would total
about $3.6 billion under the request, compared
with an estimated $3.4 billion being allocated
in FY2005.
U.S. aid to Africa reached a peak in
1985, when global competition with the So-
viet Union was at a high point. As the Cold
War eased, security assistance levels for
Africa began to drop. In 1995, at the outset of
the 104th Congress, substantial reductions in
aid to Africa had been anticipated, as many
questioned the importance of Africa to U.S.
national security interests in the post-Cold
War era. As the debate went forward, how-
ever, congressional reports and bills acknowl-
edged U.S. humanitarian, economic, and other
interests in Africa. Aid levels did fall, but
began a gradual recovery in FY1997. Assis-
tance through the Child Survival and Develop-
ment Assistance (DA) accounts has now
leveled off, but aid to Africa is reaching new
highs due to aid through the Global AIDS
Initiative.
U.S. assistance finds its way to Africa
through a variety of channels, including the
USAID-administered DA and Child Survival
programs, food aid programs, and refugee
assistance. The Peace Corps is expanding in
Africa and plans to have about 2,700 volun-Congressional Research Service +
teers there by the end of FY2005. The U.S.
African Development Foundation makes small
grants to African cooperatives, youth groups,
and other self-help organizations. U.S. secu-
rity assistance, though still far below levels
seen in the 1980s, has increased in recent
years, primarily because of U.S. support for
African peacekeeping initiatives. The World
Bank's International Development Associa-
tion (IDA) is the principal multilateral channel
for U.S. aid, but the United States also con-
tributes to the African Development Bank and
Fund, and to United Nations activities in
Africa.
USAID Administrator Andrew Natsios
has testified that in FY2005, the aid program
is emphasizing peace in Sudan, ending famine
in Ethiopia, and combating HIV/AIDS. He
has also stressed the importance of agricul-
tural development. In a June 26, 2003 speech,
President Bush described a "partnership" with
Africa including support for security and
development. In August 2002, the Adminis-
tration announced initiatives on access to
potable water, clean energy, reducing hunger,
and development and conservation in the
Congo River basin. The initiatives are to
make extensive use of public-private partner-
ships. As part of its counterterrorism efforts,
the Administration has also launched initia-
tives to strengthen security forces in the Sahel
region and in East Africa.
The overall level of funding for aid to
Africa remains a continuing subject of debate.
Other issues include the eligibility of African
countries for aid through the Millennium
Challenge Account and U.S. support for the
New Partnership for Africa's Development
(NEPAD), an African initiative linking in-
creased aid with policy reform.
The Library of Congress CRS1-26-06
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Langton, Danielle J. Africa: U.S. Foreign Assistance Issues, report, January 26, 2006; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc807069/m1/3/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.