Proceedings of the 17th International Academic Conference, Vienna

THE ENERGY POLICY OF THE US TOWARDS CENTRAL AFRICA AFTER 2001

EMMANUEL ELUKE

Abstract:

The article «The Energy Policy of the US toward Central Africa After 2001» has many justifications. Academically, it should provide researchers of policy analysis a frame of reading Central Africa relations with the US in regards of the US energy security. It should also provide students of Central African affairs, especially in relation to the US the lenses through which to read ongoing events(human rights, civil unrest, terrorism) in the sub-region and how the US policy is influencing these events in the area. This work is also policy relevant because it should provide policy makers enough information and choices in formulating and conducting foreign policy decisions toward the US. The article aims to trace the US energy policy changes and subsequent US interest in the energy resources of Central Africa. Equally, to analyze the US foreign policy with regards to the US energy security toward Central Africa. In addition to the above, the article aims to concede the Central Africa’s energy resources for the development of the US global power. The foreign policy of the US towards Central Africa is influenced by its energy security in the sub-region. The US engage more with countries that produce oil than countries that are not oil producing nations. The US invest more in countries that can produce and sell oil and invest less in countries that have little to offer to the United States. With regards of the US energy policy toward Central Africa, it is clear that the US has been increasing to secure energy in the region confronting other powers like China, Russia and India as shown by the high increased in the US import of the energy resources in Central Africa. Also, the US is willing to co-operate with undemocratic and authoritarian governments in Central Africa like Cameroon, Congo, Angola, Equatorial Guinea and others just to protect its energy interest in the sub-region. However, the US energy policy toward Central Africa has also let to the increase in US investment in the energy sector of Central Africa. Equally, the Central African region has been provided financial, economic and social assistance from the US. Overall, the US energy policy has let to the development of the Sub-Saharan Africa region.

Keywords: US, Energy Policy, Central Africa

DOI: 10.20472/IAC.2015.017.024

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