Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC October 3, 2008
The Bureau of African Affairs Marks 50th Anniversary At the National Museum of African ArtOn Monday, October 6, the Department of State and more than 600 invited guests will celebrate the Bureau of African Affairs’ 50 years of commitment to advancing the diplomatic relationship between the United States and the nations of Africa. The event will take place at the National Museum of African Art (950 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C.) at 6:30 p.m. Guests include current and former U.S. ambassadors to sub-Saharan Africa; African ambassadors to the U.S.; former U.S. assistant secretaries of state for African affairs; and leaders from the U.S. private sector. The event will be co-hosted by The Corporate Council on Africa and Business Council for International Understanding.
The United States has had diplomatic and consular representation in Africa since the early days of the Republic. As many African states began to attain their independence in the 1950’s, the U.S. Department of State established a separate Bureau of African Affairs to manage U.S. relations with the continent. The bureau was established in September, 1958 under the leadership of the first Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Joseph C. Satterthwaite. Today, the bureau, led by Assistant Secretary Jendayi Frazer, is responsible for 43 embassies in sub-Saharan Africa.
Members of the media seeking to attend should contact Adina Ellis at 202-263-3522 or present themselves at the National Museum of African Art with their media credentials.
2008/831
Released on October 3, 2008
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