‘A TIME TO HEAL’ - Hope, relief greet Biden-Harris win around the world

World leaders swiftly congratulated United States President-elect Joe Biden on his victory yesterday, cheering it on as an opportunity to fortify global democracy and celebrating the significance of Americans having their first woman vice-president in Kamala Harris.

Relief was a common theme expressed in many parts of the world to the news that outgoing president Donald Trump’s re-election bid had failed.

Not conceding defeat, Trump was not giving up. Departing from longstanding democratic tradition and signalling a potentially turbulent transfer of power, he issued a combative statement saying his campaign would take unspecified legal actions. And he followed up with a bombastic, all-caps tweet in which he falsely declared, “I WON THE ELECTION, GOT 71,000,000 LEGAL VOTES.” Twitter immediately flagged it as misleading.

In a statement, Biden, 77, declared it was time for the battered nation “to unite and to heal. With the campaign over, it’s time to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation. There’s nothing we can’t do if we do it together”.

In spite of Trump’s combative stance, congratulations poured in from around the world for the new president and vice-president.

For Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness, the accession of Harris, who has strong Jamaican roots through her father, was of great significance.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica, I extend heartiest congratulations to the president-elect and vice-president-elect of the United States, Joseph R. Biden and Kamala Harris. The United States of America will have its first woman and person of colour as vice-president in Kamala Harris. We are proud that she has Jamaican heritage. Her ascension to the role of VP is a monumental accomplishment for women all over the world, and I salute her,” he said.

STRONG BILATERAL RELATIONS

“Jamaica looks forward to the continued strong bilateral relations with our largest trading partner, the US, particularly as we work to stimulate our economies in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Holness added.

“The Americans have chosen their president. Congratulations @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris! We have a lot to do to overcome today’s challenges. Let’s work together!” tweeted French President Emmanuel Macron.

Other leaders who sent congratulations included German Chancellor Angela Merkel, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari and Argentine President Alberto Fernández. The president of Ukraine, whose country was central to Trump’s impeachment and an attempt by the Trump campaign to paint Biden and his family as corrupt, offered speedy congratulations.

Word of the victory that pushed Barack Obama’s former vice-president past the threshold of 270 Electoral College votes needed to take over the Oval Office cascaded around the globe on social media and live news broadcasts, sparking celebrations. Up to press time, Biden was at 290 to Trump’s 214. There are currently 538 electors in the Electoral College.

But the election’s outcome inspired disbelief in Slovenia, the homeland of First Lady Melania Trump. Prime Minister Janez Jansa was the only world leader who congratulated Trump even before all the votes were counted, and continued to show support after Biden’s win was announced.

It also drew mixed reviews in Iraq. Still, Iraqi President Barham Salih tweeted his congratulations to Biden, describing him as a friend and trusted partner.

Congratulations poured in from nations that disagreed with Trump administration policies, as well as from leaders who had gotten along with the Republican president but now were essentially ignoring his claims that the divisive election was not over.

United Arab Emirates’ Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan extended his best wishes to Biden and Harris on Twitter.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has been known for public displays of bonhomie with Trump, shared a photo of himself with Biden and offered his congratulations “on your spectacular victory!”.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, another Trump ally, hailed Biden’s win and said he looked forward to “working closely together on our shared priorities, from climate change to trade and security”.

Both Modi and Johnson commented on Harris’ election as the first Black woman vice-president. Modi celebrated Harris’ “pathbreaking” success and said her win is a “matter of immense pride” for all Indian-Americans.

Harris’ late mother was from India. Kamala is Sanskrit for ‘lotus flower’, and Harris gave nods to her Indian heritage throughout the campaign.

Harris’ election struck an immediate chord internationally. It inspired calls in parts of Africa for governments long run by men to think again.

GENDER EQUALITY

“Kamala Harris lights up the tunnel for many women who continue to advocate for gender equality and inclusion in leadership!” tweeted Anne Waiguru, one of two female governors in Kenya, where the Supreme Court president recently advised the country’s president to dissolve Parliament for failing to have enough female lawmakers.

“The time has also come to give our women the chance to occupy such a high office in our country and even the number-one position,” tweeted a Nigerian Cabinet minister, Festus Keyamo.

While outspoken disappointment was scarce, several prominent leaders who have maintained warm relations with Trump’s administration kept silent in the wake of the announced results. That included Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the powerful ruler of Saudi Arabia, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.