Lessons as Biden quits US election race

Dar es Salaam. Sunday’s decision by US President Joe Biden to drop his re-election bid and instead endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate to face Republican Donald Trump on the ballot in November this year leaves several lessons for other blossoming democracies across the world.

Biden, 81, said in a post on X that he will remain in his role as president and commander-in-chief until his term ends in January 2025 and will address the nation this week.

Analysts say the health decision was wise but was delayed.

“It’s a right decision for the benefit of the American people, but it was made too late,” said Prof Abel Kinyondo of the University of Dar es Salaam.

“The health concerns could give his rivals a chance to easily win the elections. I think some people were aware of the situation but wanted Biden to remain in the race and enable Trump to win. Sometimes some people use others,” said Prof Kinyondo.

According to him, the lesson is for leaders to know when to leave office before an external push.

A University of Dodoma (Udom) political senior lecturer, Dr Paul Loisule, said what has happened in the US demonstrates the maturity of democracy.

According to him, recent trends indicate Biden may not offer the best presidency for the US.

“Therefore, democracy has asserted itself, and he has agreed to be consulted. This serves as a lesson for African countries where presidents seem unwilling to relinquish power,” he said.

He said Mr Biden lacks the energy and ability compared to his rival, Mr Trump.

“We wonder if there are no younger, stronger candidates in their 60s; the succession plan of the US does not seem stable.”

“Despite the US changing presidents, its institutions have remained strong, and many African countries are failing in this regard,” he said, adding that there is something to learn from the US.

Though America’s foreign policy remains intact irrespective of which wins the government, analysts are of the view that Donald Trump would most likely double down on his “America First” vision if he wins a second term.  A doubling down on such a vision would potentially change the world, considering the ongoing geopolitical tensions in Europe and the Middle East. 

In line with his “America First” vision, Mr Trump has blasted the scale of U.S. support for Ukraine and said that if he is reelected in November, he will immediately “have that settled.” 

In June this year, while at a campaign rally in Detroit, Trump was quoted as criticising Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling him “the greatest salesman of all time” for Kyiv’s push to secure U.S. support in its effort to defend Ukraine against Russian aggression more than three years after Moscow’s all-out invasion. 

“He just left four days ago with $60 billion, and he gets home, and he announces that he needs another $60 billion. It never ends….I will have that settled before taking the White House as president-elect,” said Trump. 

The statement came shortly after the Biden administration extended long-term security guarantees to Ukraine, following congressional approval in April of more than $60 billion in aid.  Trump’s choice for Vice President, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, is also on record as having criticised the colossal amounts that the US spends in support of the war in Ukraine. 

“I do not think that it is in America’s interest to continue to fund an effectively never-ending war in Ukraine... We have done more than our fair share,” Mr Vance said during a speech in May. 

In April, Vance broke with Senate Republican leaders to vote against a foreign aid package that included nearly $61 billion for Ukraine, asserting Moscow’s threat to global stability had been overstated. 

However, both Trump and Vance remain steadfast in the US’ support for Israel’s war in Gaza. 

Vance’s staunch support for a strong US-Israel relationship rests on his view that the country is essential to protecting US interests in the Middle East, according to Seth Eisenberg, CEO of PAIRS Foundation, a US-based organisation. 

“Vance supports continued military aid to Israel, emphasising that a secure Israel contributes to regional stability and aligns with American strategic interests.

He advocates for close diplomatic and defence cooperation, recognising Israel’s role as a democracy in a volatile region,” CEO Seth Eisenberg of the PAIRS Foundation, a US-based organisation, was once quoted by Al Jazeera. 

According to Al Jazeera, though the Ohio politician does not want any limits placed on support for Israel’s war on Hamas, he has previously said that he is opposed to any direct US strikes on Iran unless the Iranians directly attack US troops.