Ndiho Media,LLC.

By Ndiho Media

U.S. President Donald Trump this week hosted a pivotal working lunch at the White House with five West African leaders: Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, Mauritania’s President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, Liberian President Joseph Boakai, and Gabon’s President Brice Oligui Nguema. The gathering signaled a proposed shift in U.S. engagement with the region, focusing less on aid and more on trade and investment.

During the meeting, President Trump described the visiting nations as “very vibrant places with valuable land, minerals, oil, and wonderful people,” reflecting a brand-new strategy framing Africa as a partner in economic development.

The African leaders emphasized that Africa’s long-term growth depends not just on extraction, but on local processing and industrialization—areas where U.S. investment could play a transformational role.

President Brice Oligui Nguema told U.S. President Donald Trump during Wednesday’s meeting at the White House.

“We are not poor countries. We are rich in raw materials, but we need partners who will support us and help develop those resources through win-win partnerships.”

Behind the polite welcome, however, a sensitive proposal was reportedly raised: U.S. officials urged these nations to temporarily host deported third-country migrants while their asylum cases move through the American system—a deportation strategy sparking concern in diplomatic circles.

To provide further clarity, Ndiho Media interviewed Melvin P. Foote, founder of the Constituency for Africa and a seasoned policy strategist.

“If you were to say we’re going to change [USAID] and improve it—I’ve got a whole laundry list of ideas,” Foote said. “But to throw it away? I’m not sure how that works out for Africa—or even for us here in the United States.”

He warned that long-standing tools of U.S. influence, such as Voice of America, Peace Corps, and NGO partnerships, are being devalued.

“Why would we give up our leverage? The Peace Corps is taking a hit. Many of the programs that helped build trust between Africans and Americans are vanishing.”

Foote also challenged the transactional tone of the administration’s new focus:

“All I hear is: how can we squeeze something out of Africa? Not how we solve problems together—health care, climate, governance.”

Yet, Foote remained optimistic about the continent’s future, especially youth-driven initiatives like the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).

“YALI created a generation of empowered leaders. Future ministers, presidents, innovators—it’s one of the best things we’ve ever done.”

Finally, Foote emphasized the importance of diaspora engagement:

“When you call yourself African American, you’ve got to love both Africa and America. And we need to start acting like partners—not patrons.”

Against the backdrop of shifting geopolitics and rising global competition, Melvin Foote argued that U.S.–Africa relations must be rooted in trust, mutual respect, and long-term vision, not just transactional deals.