Bureau of African Affairs

Date: 06/23/2010 Description: Official portrait: Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Johnnie Carson - State Dept Image
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Assistant Secretary Johnnie Carson leads the Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs, the division in the Department focused on the development and management of U.S. policy concerning the continent.

There are five pillars that serve as the foundation of U.S. policy toward Africa:
1) Support for democracy and the strengthening of democratic institutions on the continent, including free, fair, and transparent elections.
2) Supporting African economic growth and development.
3) Conflict prevention, mitigation, and resolution.
4) Supporting Presidential initiatives such as the Global Health Initiative, Feed the Future, and the Global Climate Change Initiative.
5) Working with African nations on transnational issues such as drug smuggling, money laundering, illicit arms, and trafficking in persons.  More»

A Comprehensive Multi-year Strategy To Counter the Lord's Resistance Army

The United States comprehensive, multi-year strategy seeks to help the Governments of Uganda, C.A.R., the D.R.C., and South Sudan as well as the African Union and United Nations to mitigate and end the threat posed to civilians and regional stability by the LRA.  Fact Sheet»

UN Secretary General Meeting on Sahel
Secretary Clinton (Sept. 26): "The United States has already provided more than $378 million to meet the escalating humanitarian needs in the Sahel, and we call on all parties to ensure unhindered access so that emergency aid meets those who need it most."  Full Text» Trip Page» Remarks on Mali»

 

Conversations With America
Assistant Secretary Carson (Sept. 14): "As people well know, instability, civil war, civil strife destroys the lives of people, undermines economic development, and robs countries and citizens of opportunity. And so the third pillar was to do as much as we could to continue our efforts to promote peace and stability."  Full Text»

Assessing U.S. Policy on Peacekeeping Operations in Africa

Assistant Secretary Carson (Sept. 14): "If we are to assist our African partners in achieving a more democratic, prosperous, stable, and secure Africa, we must address these conflicts. Conflict destabilizes states and borders, stifles economic growth and investment, and robs young Africans of the opportunity for an education and a better life. To address these conflicts, we need well-resourced UN, African Union (AU), and regional peacekeeping operations. That is why the topic of this hearing is so vitally important." Full Text»

Assistant Secretary Brimmer (Sept. 14): "These peacekeeping missions serve critical purposes: supporting a new country in South Sudan; helping run elections in Liberia; promoting stability in Cote d’Ivoire; trying to stem renewed violence in eastern Congo. These missions are challenging and risky, but they unquestionably contribute to peace and stability across the continent." Full Text»

Somalia Presidential Elections
Spokesperson Nuland (Sept. 11): "The United States congratulates Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud, who was elected President of the Federal Republic of Somalia yesterday, and we look forward to working with him. This presidential election was the final step in the roadmap to end the transition which marks the end of the Transitional Federal Government in Somalia. It’s also a hopeful sign of a new era of Somali governance." Full Text»  More»

United States-South Africa Partnership: Going Global
Secretary Clinton (Aug. 8): "We launched a new $7.5 million public-private partnership to improve teacher quality that brings together our governments, foundations, and businesses. We announced the start of an opportunity grants program that will help disadvantaged South African students study in the United States." Full Text» Trip Page»

Date: 06/22/2011 Description: A laboratory technician in Tanzania prepares a blood smear. © AFP Image PEPFAR Launches Labs For Life with Partners
July 26: Labs for Life, a new collaboration to help strengthen healthcare and laboratory systems in the developing world along with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Labs for Life will include Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Mozambique and also expand outside of Africa to India. Full Text»

State Department Encourages West African Entrepreneurs
July 10: The Department welcomed over 100 young West African technology entrepreneurs from eight nations to a Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) Startup Boot Camp in Dakar, Senegal. The GIST initiative forges links at the individual and institutional levels among technology entrepreneurs, angel investors, and the marketplace to improve quality of life through economic prosperity. Full Text»

Concern About Government of Sudan's Response to Demand for Democracy
Spokesperson Nuland (July 10): "The United States remains deeply concerned with the harsh treatment peaceful protestors continue to face in Sudan. There are reports that tear gas, rubber bullets, baton beatings, arbitrary arrests, and even torture have been used against those protesting." Full Text»

Date: 07/09/2012 Description: Women wave South Sudanese flags as they attend the country's anniversary celebrations, at the John Garang mausoleum in Juba, South Sudan, Monday, July 9, 2012. The world's newest nation, South Sudan, is celebrating its first birthday. © AP Image First Independence Day
Secretary Clinton: "On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes to the people of the Republic of South Sudan as you celebrate your first anniversary of independence this July 9." Full Text»
 

Innovation Summit and Mentoring Partnership with Young African Leaders
On June 29, Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Bruce Wharton welcomed to Chicago, Illinois 62 young leaders from sub-Saharan Africa in a closing session of their three-week professional exchange in the United States. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State in collaboration with Meridian International Center, the Innovation Summit and Mentoring Partnership with Young African Leaders focused on capacity building for young business and social entrepreneurs. Full Text»

Embracing Africa’s Market Potential
Assistant Secretary Carson (June 28): "It is my firm belief that Africa represents the next global economic frontier. A recent McKinsey study documented that Africa offers the highest rate of return on foreign investment of any developing region and has for some years now. Consumer spending continues to rise, and 43 percent of Africans currently have discretionary income or could be considered middle class consumers." Full Text»

Release of the 2011 Human Rights Report
Secretary Clinton (May 24): "These reports are more than a report card; they are a tool for lawmakers and scholars, for civil society leaders and activists. We also think they are a tool for government leaders. It’s always been bewildering to me that so many government leaders don’t want to make the most of the human potential of their own people." Full Text» More» Full Report» HumanRights.gov»


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