Another critical problem for Africa, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa is that of desertification. The crisis of desertification in the Sahel and other dryland regions of Africa increases exponentially, that is, its effects are incrementally debilitating. Each year of delay in dealing with this problem in an effective way, using available technology and resources, moves the problem further beyond our capacity to handle it. Furthermore, desertification has many direct and indirect effects on, among others, food production, land use, transport, housing, and weather patterns, further compounding the problem. The scale of the problem is enormous, and neither African governments nor international organizations organizations have mounted an effective response. The problem of desertification in Africa is, however, to a great extent, a tale of opportunities missed. The application of existing technology and resources has encountered obstacles and resistance, while potential resources have failed to materialize.

Several African countries with rich endowments of mineral resources and petroleum have, paradoxically, achieved less by way of economic development than other African states without such wealth. In the African mineral economies there is less diversification of production, less investment, higher foreign debt, greater unemployment, and weaker overall productive growth. The causes of this poor economic performance involve both external factors, such as declining prices of primary commodity products, and internal factors, such as rent-seeking activities of politically powerful groups which give their support to governmental leaders in return for access to wealth. Inevitably, the mineral industries, which depend on timely investments and good management, decline. As a result the governments then resort to heavy foreign borrowing.

Africa is by far the weakest region of the world in terms of communication, including telecommunications and the use of satellite relays. The U.S. and the U.S.S.R. have experience in the establishment of communications networks over continent-wide areas, and, by co-operation for Africa, they can assist Africa in improving communications. Improved communications can have major direct and indirect benefits to Africa in terms of economic output, productivity, environmental protection, health care, education and many other areas.

The overwhelmingly dominant regional power of southern Africa, South Africa, attempts to contain the political, economic, and military interdependence of neighboring states, irrespective of ideological preference. The Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) founded in 1980, is the response of the other states in the region to South Africa’s ambitions to maintain regional hegemony. Its nine member state are Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, and an independent Namibia is expected to join. The specific objectives of SADCC, as stated in the 1980 Lusaka Declaration, are the reduction of economic dependence in general (not only on South Africa); the forging of links to create a genuinely meaningful and equitable system of regional integration; the mobilization of resources to support national, interstate, and regional policies; and concerted action to secure international cooperation for the purpose of economic liberation.

The principles embodied in the Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) and the strengthening of the nonproliferation regime internationally, including Africa, would serve international peace and security. Nonproliferation is an area of common interest between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R., in which the two countries have a good record of cooperation.

Soviet-American cooperation for Africa can be an important confidence-building measure in reducing tensions, correcting misperceptions, promoting mutual understanding, fostering improved bilateral U.S.-U.S.S.R. relations, and creating trust. It could also lead to further cooperation in other fields or regions. At various times people have cited trade, cultural exchanges, exchanges of visitors, student exchanges, arms control agreements, and cooperation in space as initiatives that could be interpreted as confidence-building measures. All are valuable, and each can play a role in improving bilateral relations.

Three separate but related issues made an unforgettable impression on me during 1982-1985, the three years that I chaired the African Studies Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Today, they seem daunting and no less diminished: 1) the perennial threats of severe cuts in federal Title VI funding for international language and area studies, 2) the apparent demoralization of area studies graduates owing to a gloomy job market picture, and, despite these blows, 3) the continuing, demonstrated importance of African Area Studies to our campuses and society at large.