Princewill Odidi|25 December 2017
All is not well for those countries that receive aid from America but turned around and voted against American imposition of Jerusalem as Israel Capital.
America is a supporter of the state of Israel. America presently gives Israel 3.8 billion dollars yearly in aid. Israel tops the list of American overseas aid. Israel uses her aid to buy armunition as a deterrant to enemy islamic states surrounding it.
Egypt is next. Egypt receives about 1.5 billion dollars yearly from America. They use theirs also to buy military aid. The main reason America gives aid to Egypt is to ensure that Egypt blocks all access to the Palestinians from smuggling weapons and bombs through underground tunnels to target Israel. Even though America is threatening to sanction Egypt for her vote, to some of us who watch these games that nations play, we call it noise making. They cannot try it, else peace in Israel is chartered.
Next in line in terms of aid is Jordan. They receive 1 billion dollars yearly. They use their aid to fight ISIS and also prevent Iranian Hesbulla from easy access to Israel. Can America really withdraw this aid? Then Hesbulla will invade Israel from Iran. Again it is noise making, America cannot withdraw this aid.
Next is Afghanistan, America gives them 782 Million dollars yearly. The aid is meant to train Afghan soldiers so they can provide security, build capacity and withstand the Taliban army. You think America can withdraw this aid? Then Iran will arm the remnants of Taliban to destabilize the Afgan government and the Pakistani economy and infiltrate nuclear technology within the region.
Next in line are some African Countries that America cannot do without. These are Kenya 639 million dollars, Tanzania 535 million dollars, Uganda 436 million dollars, and Zambia 428 million dollars yearly. These countries constitute the African Tourism hub. Hundreds of thousands of Americans visit the Safari region for tourism. But do you know the biggest problem? This region is also the HIV/AIDS hub of Africa. Without donor aid to combat HIV spread and awareness, more Americans visiting the region will come to America infected with HIV and it will constitute a health crisis in America. Do you think even though they voted against Jerusalem, America can cut off donor aids? Story for the gods, it will never happen.
Next in line is our almighty Nigeria. We receive about 420 Million dollars yearly from America. Surroundings Nigeria are mostly Francophone Countries which America is not too interested in because of their attachment and loyalty to France. America largely funds HIV/Aids, Humanitarian assistance in NE and Military Capacity development. Nigeria large population is a big health threat to the west African sub region. Nigeria can better be described as " too big to fail". If there's a HIV epidemic in Nigeria, Africa is finished. Why is America providing funds to fight Boko Haram? For security reasons I will not delve into that conversation. Let's leave it for another day. Remember Idris Debby of Chad and the comments he made in 2013 about Boko Haram? America just cannot abandon the giant of Africa for a mere Jerusalem vote.
In summary, don't be deceived, American aid has nothing to do with UN votes and it's not charity in that sense. America does not give a country money because they feel children are sick and they want to help, or people are starving and they want to feed them, you can understand American aid better in the context of let us pay the boys to keep them quite so we can do our thing. Some people call it International diplomacy, just like John Spanier, I call it games nations play.
Princewill Odidi
is an International Relations development expert. Writing from Atlanta USA.
