‘Deadlocked’ US presidential race will impact African politics - experts
Updated | By Lebohang Ndashe
The US will head to the polls on Tuesday in the tightest and most volatile presidential election in memory.

Americans face a choice between current Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump, who is attempting to become the first defeated president to be re-elected in 130 years.
Republican Trump promised a "landslide" as he sought a sensational return to the White House, while Democrat Harris said the "momentum" was on the side of her bid to be America's first woman president.
But the polls suggest a different story on the eve of Election Day -- total deadlock in surveys nationally and in the seven swing states where the result is expected to be decided.
Now a race of dramatic twists, including two bids to kill Trump and Harris's shock late entrance, is coming down to the most viciously fought-over battleground.
The identity of the next president will also shape the US’ attitude towards South Africa, amid its vocal opposition to Israel’s conduct in the war against Hamas and its close relationship with countries such as Russia and China.
Local political analyst Goodenough Mashego said the attitude of the next US president will shape and influence the African political landscape.
“The attitude in the previous administration was very one-sided; it was the matter of as long as an African nation gives the US military advantage on the continent, it would remain unpunished. I think that is the attitude that needs to change in order to bring stability to Africa.”
However, Mashego believes the outcome of the US election will have little bearing on South Africa’s foreign policy.
“South Africa’s foreign policy will not be affected because it is not rooted in either East or the West. South Africa has a foreign policy that is guided by human rights and certain principles,” Mashego added.
Meanwhile, political analyst Asanda Ngoasheng said Africa's alliances with China and Russia are expected to impact US diplomacy.
Ngoasheng suggested that the United States sees Africa as a key location to advance its interests while simultaneously trying to loosen the continent's relations with China and Russia.
“South Africa has a very complicated relationship with America. At times, it agrees and disagrees with America, and we have seen that with many calls for South Africa to be kicked out of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). A track record has shown that it’s mostly Republicans who are pushing for South Africa to be kicked out.
“There is a lot of anxiety on the continent if it’s going to be Kamala Harris or Donald Trump, because these two will determine South Africa’s trade relationship with the US. Trump could cut funding for public health spending on the continent, while Harris may increase it. On the other hand, Trump could increase security spend to Africa as a means of looking for new security bases on the continent,” Ngoasheng said.
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