 |
Join the discussion on:   |
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.
The Bureau of African Affairs has contributed to demonstrable progress in each of these areas in recent years. The U.S. has contributed to democratic transitions in Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea-Conakry, and Niger; successful elections in Nigeria; and a referendum that led to the independence of South Sudan. The Bureau promotes African economic development through the annual Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forums. It is actively striving to end sexual and gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and eliminate the atrocities perpetrated by the Lord's Resistance Army throughout Central Africa. Feed the Future, the U.S. Government’s global food security initiative, is focused on 12 African countries. A goal of the Global Health Initiative is investing $63 billion over six years to help partner countries improve the health of women, newborns, and children.
Finally, the Bureau and other State Department entities are working with African counterparts all across the continent to provide food to drought-stricken populations in the Horn of Africa, to assist refugee populations, to curtail drug and arms smuggling, and to mitigate the effects of global climate change.
International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting
Feb. 6: Today, we mark the ninth annual International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C). It is estimated that 100 to 140 million women around the world have undergone this brutal procedure and three million girls are at risk every year. We must continue to act to end this affront to women’s equality and the rights and dignity of women and girls. Full Text» More on DipNote»
Energy Trade Mission to Africa
Feb. 2: Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson will lead an Energy Trade Mission to Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana February 6-17. The mission will underscore economic development as a path towards sustained prosperity and peace and highlight the U.S. initiatives in the region. Full Text»
Situation in the North of Mali
Feb. 2: We condemn the attacks by armed groups against a number of northern towns. These actions, taken by groups who purport to defend the rights of Malians, instead threaten the well-being of all Malian citizens. Full Text»
U.S. Efforts in the Humanitarian Crisis in the Horn of Africa
DAS Wharton (Jan. 24): "I have to say that the fact that Kenya and Ethiopia offer a secure environment for those programs makes a real difference, and we have seen improvement in the ability of people to adjust to these cyclical droughts that are part of the weather cycle in that part of the world. Ultimately, I think the answer to humanitarian crises in Somalia is going to be the establishment of secure and stable governance in that country, governance that respects human rights and the basic needs of the population." Full Text»
Nigeria: Attacks in Kano and Bauchi State
Jan. 24: The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attacks in the city of Kano and Bauchi state in Nigeria over the past several days. This is a time for all Nigerians to stand united against the enemies of civility and peace. Nigeria’s ethnic and religious diversity is a source of strength for the country and those who seek to undermine that strength with divisive tactics cannot succeed. Full Text»
On the Sudan - South Sudan Oil Negotiations
Jan. 21: The U.S. supports the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel’s (AUHIP) Roadmap proposal for an agreement to resolve the current oil crisis and set a timeline for a final oil and financial agreement between Sudan and South Sudan. We urge both countries to agree to its terms. The AUHIP proposal recognizes and takes into account the concerns of Sudan and South Sudan that will need to be addressed in a permanent agreement. Full Text»
Secretary Clinton's Trip to Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire, Togo, and Cape Verde
Secretary Clinton (Jan. 17): "This is an exciting time for Cote d’Ivoire as it is for West Africa as a whole. We have seen successful elections in Nigeria, the restoration of a civilian government in Niger, the establishment of the first elected government in Guinea. And yesterday I had the privilege of representing my country, as did President Ouattara, at the inauguration of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for her second term after another free and fair election." Full Text» Trip Page»
Sports Exchange with the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Jan. 9: The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced today the second international sports exchange with the Democratic Republic of the Congo that includes 20 boys and girls basketball players and coaches. From January 9 through January 20, the Congolese delegation will engage with Washington, D.C. area high school and university teams. Full Text»
Improving Governance in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Assistant Secretary Carson (Dec. 15): "Rebuilding the DRC, establishing security, and helping its people to improve governance are some of our highest priorities on the continent. It is critical for us to stay engaged in the DRC, because the DRC’s trajectory is pivotal to security and stability in the region." Full Text» Dec. 20: Presidential Elections Confirmed»
U.S. Efforts To Counter the Lord’s Resistance Army
Assistant Secretary Carson (Dec. 7): "As of August 2011, the UN estimated 440,000 people were displaced or living as refugees across CAR, the DRC, and South Sudan due to LRA activity. The remaining LRA elements have continued to commit attacks across the three countries.” Full Text»
KNOW THE FACTS: Famine, War, and Drought
Despite the magnitude of the crisis, many are unaware of the situation - famine, war, and drought are threatening millions of lives in the Horn of Africa and the world should be talking about it. FACT: A $10 donation can feed a child for 10 days. Learn More» Replay of Stream» Learn/Share on : Facebook» Twitter: #AskFWD
