CFR's Africa Task Force Gives Nod to MCA

When the CFR released its new task force report "More than Humanitarianism: A Strategic Approach Toward Africa," it noted:

“We will know that the response to this opportunity has failed if, in another ten years, U.S. policymakers link hands once again with other world leaders around Africa’s problems and the world witnesses another global concert to end Africa’s poverty. The United States cannot afford to let another decade go by without effective solutions, and Africa deserves far better."

It argues for stronger U.S. engagement with Africa and fuller integration of Africa into the global economy, particularly to assure reliable supplies of energy, combat terrorism, reduce conflict, control pandemic diseases, and enlarge the worldwide community of democracies. And, amid the criticism of policies and engagement to date, gives one of few thumbs-up to the MCA as an a promising means of strategic engagement with Africa beyond humanitarianism.I'm still willing to hold out on the promise captured in the rhetoric and the mission concept of the MCA as an innovative foreign aid mechansims. But I do worry that the window of opportunity to show the reality behind the rhetoric is closing. I am working on a piece now evaluating how the MCA was supposed to be different -- more innovative and effective -- than other aid mechanisms against the current reality. I would love to hear others' thoughts on signs of success and signs of concern. There's a lot riding on the MCA's success. -Sheila