Africa has always held my attention—not as a monolith, but as a mosaic of nations, cultures and aspirations. Over the course of my nearly 40-year career in the U.S. Foreign Service, I had the privilege of witnessing history unfold across the continent. I stood with new nations as they took their first steps into independence. I saw, firsthand, the resilience of the African people.
When I wrote Africa, You Have a Friend in Washington, my intent was to preserve a record of those years and offer a behind-the-scenes look at how diplomacy shaped Africa’s relationship with the United States during the latter half of the 20th century. The memories and personal interactions I recount here remind me to this day of a basic tenet of my life: Experience matters. Compassion counts. People can and do make a difference. History is never static, and the story of Africa is far from over. We are witnessing a dynamic continent that continues to evolve, challenge expectations, and redefine its role in the world.
Africa has always been a continent of motion. From Kampala to Kinshasa, Lusaka to Dakar, I witnessed constant change. That movement—at times chaotic, often transformative—is not new. It has deep historical roots. In my diplomatic service, I encountered the earliest stirrings of postcolonial governance and the fragile emergence of national institutions. What I see today is a continuation of that journey: African nations asserting themselves in global forums, not as junior partners, but as architects of their own destinies.
The diplomatic patterns have changed. Where once Cold War dynamics loomed large, now Africa navigates a multipolar world. China, India, the Gulf states, and others have joined Russia and Europe in forging new relationships on the continent even as long-term U.S. relationships and policies toward Africa take new turns. These are not just the partnerships of yesterday, based on aid and dependency, but increasingly rooted in trade, technology and shared strategic interests. The continent’s diplomatic sophistication has grown, shaped by decades of experience and the agency of African leaders who have become adept at balancing national interests in a complex global environment.
This same spirit of transformation is most visible in the continent’s economic landscape. When I began my work in Africa, economic development was a central concern—and a persistent challenge. We supported newly independent nations through aid, trade partnerships and technical assistance. At the time, few could have foreseen the kind of innovation-driven growth we see today.
Africa’s economic renaissance is powered by its own people—by African traders, manufacturers, exporters, and business leaders who are driving commerce within the continent and beyond. From the bustling ports of Durban and Mombasa to trade corridors stretching from Lagos to Abidjan and along the burgeoning Lobito port rail corridor from Angola to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa is deepening its role in global supply chains. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), now underway, promises to boost intra-African trade and reduce barriers that have long limited the continent’s full economic potential.
Entrepreneurs are expanding export businesses in everything from coffee, cocoa and cut flowers to textiles, processed foods and manufactured goods. African agribusinesses are finding new markets in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, while importers are meeting rising consumer demand for goods ranging from electronics to construction materials. These enterprises, whether family-managed or industrial-scale, are increasingly integrated into global commerce. And I’m encouraged to see that African nations and business leaders are investing in new resources to process raw materials like manganese, cobalt, and coltan at home, and that they are at least looking for ways to keep wealth from the continent on the continent.
This shift is not merely transactional—it is a transformation of how Africa participates in the world economy. Where once raw materials dominated the continent’s export profile, we now see diversification, increased value, and a growing class of business leaders shaping their countries’ futures. These changes mark a sharp departure from the economic constraints I witnessed in the early post-independence years. They speak of a continent poised not just for growth, but for ever-greater influence.
Still, with progress come setbacks and challenges. The road to good governance is not linear. In my time, I encountered everything from hopeful reformers to presidents-for-life. I saw both the fragility of state institutions and the strength of civil society. That duality remains. But what gives me hope is the emergence of a new generation of Africans who are more politically engaged than ever—young people demanding accountability, transparency, and a voice in shaping their future.
Movements for democratic reform are gaining ground in many corners of the continent, even as others face backsliding and repression. The path is uneven, but the arc continues to bend toward participation and pluralism. These efforts are not occurring in isolation; they are the result of decades of civic activism, international partnership, and a growing belief in the value of representative governance. The United States, in its diplomatic history and ongoing commitments, has played a role in supporting these developments. I am proud to have been part of that effort and am eager to see what the months and years ahead will bring in US/Africa relations and policies.
Security, of course, remains a pressing issue. Conflicts such as those between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, or the ongoing civil war in Sudan, are tragic reminders of unresolved grievances and fragile statehood. But here too, I’ve seen evolution. African-led peacekeeping efforts—through the African Union, ECOWAS and other regional bodies—are increasingly central to the continent’s conflict resolution strategies. Unlike in decades past, where outside powers routinely dictated the terms of peace, African voices now more frequently lead those discussions.
In my own experience, diplomacy often required patience, trust-building, local knowledge – and, as I hope you’ll see in these pages, a good sense of humor. Whether assisting peace talks in Angola or negotiating sensitive political transitions, I saw that lasting solutions should be rooted in the agency of local actors. That is why today’s intra-Africa responses—however imperfect—represent real progress. They suggest a growing capacity not only to manage conflict but to envision and implement peace. And they generate a whole new series of anecdotes to be told.
The historical snapshots within this book—of political transitions, economic policy debates and the forging of diplomacy—are more than just memories; they are the foundation for understanding Africa’s present and anticipating its future. As I reflect on my decades in the Foreign Service and the countless relationships I built across the continent, I remain profoundly hopeful. At its core, Africa, You Have a Friend in Washington is a reflection of enduring, if sometimes imperfect, partnerships that have grown out of mutual respect and shared history.
For those of you about to read the memoir in its original language, as I recall in Chapter 1, “One of the basic requirements for tenure in the U.S. Foreign Service is fluency in a foreign language. I had studied French in high school and college. To find my level, I took the State Department French examination. On a scale of 1 to 5, the passing grade is 3. My score was 2.”
My first assignment was nonetheless to the American Embassy in Paris; I had a year to make the grade. It didn’t hurt that the woman I met in France – and later married – was fluent in both languages. “When I was growing up,” I write in the epilogue, “I heard several languages spoken at home along with English.” An early lesson for a career diplomat: be respectful. And so, with the utmost respect, dear reader and apologies, thank you for sticking with me in my native written language, even as I welcome an engaging conversation in yours!
I hope you’ll see in these stories evidence of how diplomacy, when encouraged and allowed to be conducted with humility and purpose, can bridge continents and create lasting bonds.
The journey ahead will not be straight ahead or easy. But the past, as recalled in these pages, sheds light not just on a fascinating past but also serves as a lens through which to view an inspiring future, still being written by – and for - the people of Africa.
Africa, you still have a friend in Washington,
Amb. Herman J. Cohen
June 2025
Washington, D.C.