By Hans Ngala
As Trump returns to the White House to begin his most definitive and final term as president, we as Africans must not be blinded by our admiration for the man. Trump is like a double-edged sword that can either lacerate you so badly or be a very useful tool to help you get some tasks done.
Let’s first look at Trump as a useful tool. Trump, whether you hate him or like him, is a go-getter. Within the last few weeks we have seen him get things into motion, shifting from conventional politicians’ way of doing things. While addressing reporters in Mar-a-Lago, he made it clear that “if Hamas does not release the hostages before I take office, all hell will breakout”. This led to Hamas and Israel reaching a ceasefire deal a mere 24 hours before he returned to the White House. Hamas released three Israelis they were holding and Israel released 90 Palestinians they had captured. Trump has largely made this happen – after 15 months of intensified fighting.
Also, a TikTok ban was looming and after going off for several hours, Trump ensured that the app came back – extending its functionality by another 75 days while tech experts and US authorities sought a US-based buyer for the app. Trump was again credited for ensuring the survival of the app.
To his MAGA base, Trump delivered on yet another promise, recognizing only two genders, male and female he said in his inaugural address and a few hours later, signed it into executive order at the Oval Office to the admiration of Christians both in the US and Africa , though the latter group are not as affected by this liberal ideology as their American counterparts.
These few examples , regardless of how one may feel about them, clearly demonstrate Trump’s role as a leader who clearly acts and doesn’t care much for political correctness. While it is an admirable quality in a leader especially in times like the ones America travailed under President Biden, this quality can also be a dangerous sword.
For example, Trump signed an executive order pulling the United States out of the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Treaty.
This will have serious ramifications for global health and the global fight against climate change which is affecting even the United States with the ongoing fires in California, largely blamed on changing climate patterns and strong winds.
Following Trump’s announcement during his campaign, that the US would quit the Paris Climate Treaty, Cameroonian environmental activist Eugene Nforngwa wrote: “With Doald J Trump back in the Oval Office, the international climate community has reason to feel a chill. His return raises the specter of another America-first, fossil-fuel-friendly approach, potentially undermining critical progress at COP29. Much of the groundwork laid under Biden’s administration—a recommitment to the Paris Agreement, ambitious emission targets, and billions pledged for climate finance—could be undone in a single term. For a world on the brink of critical warming thresholds, the implications are serious.
In the immediate term, the worry is that other nations may also lose resolve. The world has long looked to the U.S. for leadership, and a disengaged America could embolden some countries to backslide. But the era of relying on American leadership may be coming to an end. Other powers, from the EU to China, and climate-vulnerable nations in the Global South, are forging ahead, recognizing that they cannot afford to wait for Washington’s whims. And while U.S. federal action may falter, cities, states, and companies within the U.S. are increasingly stepping into the gap.”
Trump also signed an executive order, severing ties between the US and the World Health Organization. The United States’ decision to sever ties with the World Health Organization (WHO) would have far-reaching consequences, not just for the U.S. but also for global public health. The WHO plays a critical role in coordinating international efforts to address health crises, such as pandemics, and its contributions extend to improving health systems worldwide, especially in low-income countries. According to the WHO, it provides technical assistance, policy guidance, and expertise to countries dealing with health emergencies. The U.S. leaving the organization would diminish its voice in shaping global health policies and undermine critical efforts to combat infectious diseases.
For instance, the WHO’s rapid response during the COVID-19 pandemic was essential in coordinating the global fight against the virus. The organization facilitated the distribution of vaccines, provided guidance on public health measures, and coordinated research on treatment. Without U.S. involvement, the WHO’s capacity to combat future pandemics would be weakened, as U.S. expertise, resources, and financial contributions are vital. The U.S. historically contributes about 15% of the WHO’s budget, meaning its withdrawal would leave a significant financial gap.
Moreover, the WHO’s role in promoting immunization programs has saved millions of lives. In 2019 alone, WHO’s vaccination campaigns reached over 116 million children worldwide, preventing diseases like polio, measles, and tuberculosis. Without U.S. support, global immunization efforts would suffer, potentially allowing preventable diseases to make a resurgence, particularly in vulnerable regions.
Beyond pandemics, the WHO also tackles other health challenges, including non-communicable diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and mental health. By exiting the WHO, the U.S. risks reducing its influence in shaping strategies to fight these diseases globally.
Trump’s second term could be dangerous for the global fight against diseases and climate change. By removing the U.S. from essential international frameworks like the WHO, he risks isolating the country from critical collaborations. This “America First” approach might lead to greater national and global health vulnerabilities, slow progress on climate action, and set back global health security efforts. Trump’s disregard for multilateral cooperation is a significant threat to both global public health and environmental sustainability since many countries look up to the US for leadership. China, whom the US detests so much, may fill the void left by the US and that too, will change global geopolitics significantly.
