Africa reacts to Trump's US victory

ANKARA (AA) – African leaders, opposition parties and campaigners reacted on Wednesday to the shock victory of Donald Trump in the race to become the 45th president of the United States.

Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni, in power since 1986 when Ronald Reagan was U.S. leader, congratulated President-elect Trump on his victory over Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

In a statement, Museveni said: “Elections in the U.S. are a matter for the people of that country.

"Our relationship with the U.S. will continue regardless of which leader or party is leading. I look forward to working with [Trump] as we have been working with the other leaders before him."

Somalia’s federal government also congratulated Trump on his victory, which saw the Republican nominee pull off a win early Wednesday morning after securing several key U.S. states.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud said his country would be a “willing partner” of the U.S. and was ready to work with Washington in “safeguarding the peace, stability and prosperity of both Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa region”.

“We are grateful to the government and the people of the United States for the invaluable support they have given to Somalia,” a statement from the president added.

A senior member of the Congolese opposition coalition, Silvester Kanza, said they were happy with a Trump victory.

“Trump promised to deal with African leaders who do not want to leave power. We are happy that he has been elected as president and hope he will kick out such leaders,” he said.

Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza tweeted directly to Trump, writing: “Your Victory is the Victory of all Americans.”

Kenyan leader Uhuru Kenyatta also congratulated Trump on his victory and said: “The ties that bind Kenya and the United States of America are close and strong.

“They are old, and based in the values that we hold dear: in democracy, in the rule of law and in the equality of peoples. These values remain dear to the peoples of both nations, and so our friendship will endure."

-Obama’s African legacy

During his rule outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama visited seven African countries including, Ghana, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Egypt and Ethiopia

Obama’s African policy was "promoting stability and democracy in Africa through collaborative diplomacy".

Zimbabweans also reacted to Trump’s election on Wednesday. Harare-based Lorraine Sibanda, president of the country’s Chamber of Informal Economy Association, was critical of the tone of the election campaign.

She told Anadolu Agency: “It’s a very sad reality that Hillary Clinton has lost as a woman, but also it sort of belies the opinion or perception that Western countries are better on women’s rights issues. Once something controversial [is said] against a woman it’s taken as the truth.

“With Hillary there was an issue of emails and for me it caused that shift as she was doing very well during campaigns. I have personally learnt that patriarchal politics is deeply embedded in the world, including the U.S.”

However, a spokesperson for the opposition Zimbabwe People First party dismissed the claim. Jealousy Mbizvo Mawarire said: “It is not accurate to say Hillary lost the American polls because she is a woman. Actually she was being viewed as a continuation of the Obama term as president.

“What we are seeing is that, globally, there is now that anti-establishment wave which is inexorable. This has made sure that anything that stands in its way is swept aside.”

Elsewhere, South African President Jacob Zuma also congratulated Trump.

In a statement, Zuma said he looked forward to working with Trump on building upon the strong relations that already exist between the two countries.

-Human rights warning

However, rights group Amnesty International warned that the rhetoric used by Trump during the election campaign should not become government policy.

Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International, said in a statement: “President-elect Trump has provoked grave consternation at many points throughout his election campaign, and raised serious concerns about the strength of commitment we can expect to see from the United States towards human rights in the future”.

He said Trump must now put the election rhetoric behind him and both reaffirm and abide by the United States’ obligations on human rights, at home and abroad.

*Anadolu Agency’s correspondents Halima Athumani from Uganda, Mohammed Dhaysane from Somalia, Addis Getachew from Ethiopia, Godfrey Olukya from DR Congo, John Cassim from Zimbabwe and Hassan Isilow from South Africa contributed to this report.