From July 9 to 11, U.S. President Donald Trump hosted a high-profile summit in Washington with the leaders of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal. While officially aimed at fostering trade, investment, and security, the meeting quickly became a lightning rod for criticism over its tone, content, and implications for Africa’s sovereignty and dignity.
Observers say the summit, overshadowed by a proposed 10% tariff on exports from the five nations, appeared less about partnership and more about pressure. Many believe the Trump administration used the platform to push for deportation deals and secure access to Africa’s strategic mineral reserves under the guise of boosting bilateral trade.
Despite pledging a shift from “aid to trade,” critics argue that the summit echoed a new form of “modern colonial theatre.” Al Jazeera called the gathering a “stage-managed production” where African leaders were treated as secondary players in a script dominated by U.S. interests. “Africa was presented not as a continent of sovereign nations but as a rich expanse of resources,” the report stated.
Countries like Gabon and Mauritania are rich in manganese and uranium, respectively, resources critical to modern industry. Analysts suggest this interest in Africa’s minerals is fueling a renewed U.S. engagement with the continent, albeit under terms perceived as unfair or heavy-handed.
But it wasn’t just policy that drew outrage. Trump’s public remarks, particularly toward Liberian President Joseph Boakai, sparked backlash after he reportedly expressed surprise at the president’s “beautiful English,” questioning whether he learned it “in Liberia.” The comment, viewed as ignorant and condescending, angered many across Africa, especially considering Liberia’s historical ties to the U.S. and English being its official language.
“This is not a compliment; it is an insult thinly veiled as praise,” wrote Ghanaian commentator Richard Donkor on X (formerly Twitter). “It shows a fundamental lack of understanding and respect for African intellect and education.”
A photo from the meeting also went viral, showing Trump seated at the Oval Office desk while the five African presidents stood, further fueling criticism of the optics and symbolism of the summit.
Behind the scenes, the summit also centered on pressuring African governments to accept deportees from the U.S., including some with criminal records. Countries like Nigeria have pushed back strongly, citing public safety and domestic capacity challenges.
Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, made it clear that Nigeria would not become a dumping ground for deported individuals. “We are not in a position to accommodate foreign deportees, especially those with potential criminal backgrounds,” he said.
Foday Massaquio, chairman of Liberia’s opposition Congress for Democratic Change, called the summit a missed opportunity, describing Trump’s approach as “condescending and disrespectful.”
“This proves that the West is not taking us seriously as Africans,” he said.
For many, the summit raised a sobering question: Is Africa being engaged as a genuine partner or merely as a pawn in bigger geopolitical and economic ambitions?
