Clinton Plans Seven-Nation Africa Trip

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton began a seven-nation trip to Africa on August 4 to highlight the U.S. commitment to sub-Saharan Africa’s economic development, while also emphasizing Africa as a place of opportunity, State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said.

Clinton began the visit at the 8th U.S.-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum, better known as the AGOA Forum (named for the African Growth and Opportunity Act), in Nairobi, Kenya, Kelly said in a July 27 press statement. Clinton will continue her travels with visits to South Africa, Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Liberia and Cape Verde. more

Joint Canada, Japan, U.K., and U.S. Press Statement Regarding Second-Round Presidential Election in Guinea-Bissau

The Chiefs of Mission of the Embassies of Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States accredited to Guinea-Bissau congratulate Guinea-Bissau on a successful second-round presidential election on July 26, 2009.  The diplomats from the aforementioned embassies who served as international election observers believe the election to have been well-organized, well-executed and free of significant irregularities... full text    em português

The United States Celebrates its July 4 Independence Day

July 4 is the United States’ Independence Day, dating back to when its founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Americans celebrate Independence Day by organizing parades, fireworks, concerts, etc.

Here in Dakar, the 233rd anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence of the United States was celebrated the day before, on Friday July 3, 2009, at the home of the Ambassador.  Her Excellence, Madame Marcia S. Bernicat idealized the relationship between Dakar and Washington. Amongst the future axes of cooperation between the country and Senegal, she particularly cited the collaboration to maintain peace and the fight against malaria and HIV-AIDS as priorities. Senegal was represented at the party by Mr. Djibo Ka, Minister of the State, Minister of the Environment, Environmental Protection, Retention Basins and Artificial Lakes.

- President Obama’s Fourth of July Message

Commander of AFRICOM Visits Senegal

U.S. General William E. “Kip” Ward, commander of AFRICOM (United States Africa Command), visited Senegal from June 24-26, 2009. During his stay, he talked with Senegalese military leaders about various subjects of shared interests such as bilateral cooperation, maritime security, and initiatives to fight drug trafficking. General Ward also met with the press, with whom he answered questions concerning military cooperation and security between the United States and Africa, the fight against international terrorism, peace operations, civilian-military programs meant for civilian populations in need of them, etc. In particular, he asserted that the mission of his organization is not to prevent conflicts, but to support countries in reinforcing their capabilities.

General Ward has commanded AFRICOM since October 1, 2007. AFRICOM works for a fruitful partnership between the United States and 53 African nations to institute security and stability on the continent. Based in Stuttgart, Germany, AFRICOM is one of six major geographic Unified Combatant Command areas of the Department of Defense.

Obama Trip Reflects New U.S. Commitment, Vision

President Obama will deliver a speech from Cairo University on June 4 outlining his personal commitment to engagement with the Muslim world, based upon mutual interests and mutual respect, and will discuss how the United States and Muslim communities around the world can bridge some of the differences that have divided them. His commitment to engage the Muslim world began with his inaugural address.
The home of speech co-hosts Al Azhar University and Cairo University, Cairo is a city at the crossroads of Africa, the Middle East and the Mediterranean, and as such provides a fitting venue for speaking directly to Muslim communities across the globe. more      
   - President Obama’s Remarks at Cairo University, Egypt

Third Edition of American Week in Dakar

On June 3, U.S. Ambassador Marcia S. Bernicat and Senegalese Minister Oumou Khairy Guèye Seck have inaugurated the USA Week, at the Meridien Center.This third edition of USA Week, will take place at the Meridien President Convention Center from June 3 to June 6, 2009. As a joint effort of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) and the U.S. Commercial Service, USA Week will be displaying American and local companies with strong ties with the United States and will be a business platform for entrepreneurs of Senegal and West Africa.

The objectives of USA Week are to promote business relations between Senegal, West Africa and the U.S., and to highlight American know-how and expertise on Senegalese and West African markets.

During four days, visitors will be able to attend three types of events: exhibitions, workshops and the gala dinner. From 3 to 5 June, the exhibition will run parallel to the conferences. On 6 June, the Gala dinner will close USA Week. more    Ambassador's Opening Remarks

New Volunteers Sworn-in

26 new American volunteers were officially sworn-in on Friday, April 24, 2009 in the presence of U.S. Ambassador Marcia S. Bernicat and Mr Médoune Cissé representing the Presidency of the Republic of Senegal. These Peace Corps volunteers will work under the Integrated Preventive Health and Environmental Education (PROSPERE) recently developed by the Peace Corps and its partners.
There are more than 160 Peace Corps Volunteers in Senegal living and working in all regions of the country, focusing on health care, education, small and micro enterprise development, natural resources management, environmental education and ecotourism.

World Malaria Day - Statement from Ambassador Marcia S. Bernicat

World Malaria Day is observed April 25 to call attention to the disease and to mobilize action to combat it.  The U.S. has taken extraordinary steps to curb the spread of this preventable and curable disease. The President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) is led and implemented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) with the assistance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the collaboration of the US Peace Corps. It represents an historic $1.2 billion, five-year expansion of U.S. government resources to fight malaria in Africa.  In Senegal, the PMI will invest approximately $72 dollars in key interventions over 4 years. Full text

- Video Statement by Secretary Clinton on World Malaria Day
- Statement by President Obama on World Malaria Day

USA/Senegal Cooperation: MCC Releases $13.9 Million for Senegalese Projects

On April 1, Mr. Jay Smith, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the United States of America to Senegal, and Mr. Abdoulaye Diop, Minister of Economy and Finance, signed an agreement with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) to finance various infrastructure and agricultural projects, in the amount of $13.9 million.

U.S. - Senegal cooperation has resulted in success stories in several fields, including health, education, economic growth and peace. American aid totaled $51 million during fiscal year 2008.

The United States Embassy Helps Women to Promote Peace in Casamance

In collaboration with the NGO World Education, the U.S. Embassy in Dakar financed the installation of a community radio through its "Self Help" program for the women in the village Sindian (region of Ziguinchor). This community radio will serve as a way for people to transcend their ethnic differences and to change their behavior.

With the involvement of the village women, the community radio has helped to promote tolerance and assist in the quest for a sustainable and lasting peace in the region.  In fact, the women have a great influence on their communities because they are the mothers and sisters.

With the financial support of the U.S. government, World Education is also working with other rural communities within Ziguinchor and Kolda to create additional community radio stations to transmit messages of peace in national languages.

Africa Partnership Station : The USS Nashville in Dakar

As part of continued military cooperation between the United States and Senegal, the USS Nashville ship of the Africa Partnership Station (APS) was in Dakar from February 3-12, 2009. The ship made its first stop of its African tour in Dakar,  and has crew members that include international sailors and maritime professionals. During its time in Dakar, the ship held seminars on small boat maintenance, leadership, search and rescue, oil spill scenarios and security for the Senegalese Navy.

APS is an international initiative that works to promote maritime peace and security in West and Central Africa.  It is composed of military representatives from eighteen countries.

U.S. Ambassador Marcia S. Bernicat presents credentials to President Abdoulaye Wade

Marcia S. Bernicat, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Senegal, presented her credentials to His Excellency President Abdoulaye Wade in Dakar on August 6, 2008.
Madam Bernicat arrived in Dakar on July 24, 2008. She was confirmed by the Senate in early June, 2008. She is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, and has most recently served as country director of the Office of India, Nepal and Sri Lanka Affairs in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs at the Department of State. Prior to this, she was director of the Senior Level Division of Career Development and Assignments in the Bureau of Human Resources at the Department of State. She has also served in France, Mali, India, Morocco, Malawi and Barbados.