| |  Bureau of African Affairs Assistant Secretary Jendayi Frazer leads the Bureau of African Affairs, the division of the Department of State that advises the Secretary about sub-Saharan Africa. Dr. Frazer believes that we are living in an historic window of opportunity. For example, in the last five years, we have seen belligerence yield to negotiation in six contentious settings: Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and the North-South element of the Sudan crisis. Formerly divided by conflict, Burundi now has an elected government up and running. The Democratic Republic of Congo has similarly moved beyond transition to successfully hold its first national election in more than 40 years. This is an historical shift. In the years ahead, African leaders face three key challenges: consolidating democratic gains, expanding economic growth, and stemming the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Africa on Video - Learn more about current U.S. policy on Africa
2007 Human Rights Report
Secretary Rice: "A nation’s path to a future of human rights protected by law is neither smooth nor straight. Along the way, there are bound to be stumbles and setbacks. Even under the best of circumstances, it is not easy to transform democratic ideals into effective democratic institutions. Yet despite every challenge, the courageous champions of human rights persevere. They are an inspiration to their fellow citizens and to all of us. The high standard that they set continues to give hope to people everywhere who work peacefully for their liberty, their dignity, and their rights." Human Rights Report, 2007 | AFRICA Only
Trafficking in Persons: Interim Assessments
The report covers 37 African countries which can be viewed here. 2008 Report | 2008 TIP Briefing
Advancing Freedom and Democracy Reports, May 2008 | AFRICA ONLY
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Africa's Hot News! Check out news on DROC, Somalia, Ghana. Watch the Daily Press Briefing and read other releases on Africa.
Status of Hijacked Ukrainian Freighter Near Somalia
(Oct. 9): Question: What recent contacts/discussions have we had with Russia on the freighter? Full Text
Statements by General Nkunda in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
(Oct. 6): The U.S. calls on the international community to support the GDRC as it works to consolidate its democracy and capacity to govern justly its entire territory. The U.S. opposes all those who seek to foment instability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Full Text
U.S. Agency for International Development: Summary of Decision on Marie Stopes International (Taken Question)
(Oct. 2): Question: Did USAID discontinue the provision of US-funded contraceptive commodities to the NGO Marie Stopes International (MSI)? Full Text
Somali Piracy
(Oct. 2): Taken Question: Has the Somali foreign ministry granted the United States, or any other country, permission to use force against pirates operating in Somali sovereign waters? Full Text
 African Affairs Bureau Marks 50th Anniversary
The AF Bureau is 50 years old this year. Its story is one of support for the U.S. ideal of equality, domestically and overseas.
(Oct. 3) Event: National Museum of African Art
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Visit this page for more updates on the history and events planned during the next couple of months. ![U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, left, speaks with Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf at a Women Leaders Working Group breakfast in New York Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008 [©AP Images]](http://www.state.gov/cms_images/thumbs/thumb96_080925_rice3_womensgroup96.jpg)
