| |  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
 50th Anniversary of the Bureau of African Affairs
September 2008 marks the 50th anniversary of the creation of the bureau of African Affairs.  Visit this page for more updates on the history and events planned during the next couple of months. State Magazine article
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 2008 International Human Rights Day Awards Ceremony
Secretary Rice (Dec. 8): "The Diplomacy for Freedom Award is given annually to a U.S. Head of Mission for his or her work to end tyranny and promote democracy. This year’s honoree is James D. McGee, our Ambassador to Zimbabwe. At a time of deepening crisis in Zimbabwe, Ambassador McGee has developed a strategy for his Embassy that is designed to support the Zimbabwean peoples’ demand for democratic change, to train a spotlight on the mounting human rights abuses, and to press for free and fair presidential elections." Full Text
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 Special Briefing on Zimbabwe
USAID Director Fore (Dec. 11): "Today, I am pleased to announce that USAID has allocated an additional 6.2 million U.S. dollars to help combat the cholera outbreak. This is in addition to more than $4.6 million in USAID we already have in country providing emergency water, sanitation, and hygiene programs.
To manage the United States response effort, USAID has deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team, a DART team, to Zimbabwe. This team includes water and sanitation, public health, and emergency experts from USAID, as well as from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention." Full Text | Secretary Rice (Dec. 5): Full Text | (Dec. 9) President's Statement
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Situation in Somalia
Secretary Rice (Dec. 16): "We talked a good deal about the need for coordination on intelligence, on information sharing. The United States is going to lead a Contact Group on Piracy on the Somali Coast." Full Text
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 Combating the Scourage of Piracy
Secretary Rice (Dec. 16): "I would like to announce that the United States intends to work with partners to create a Contact Group on Somali piracy. We envision the Contact Group serving as a mechanism to share intelligence, coordinate activities, and reach out to other partners, including those in shipping and insurance industries. And we look forward to working quickly on this initiative." Full Text
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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 Somalia, Mauritania, Guinea. Watch the Daily Press Briefing and read other releases on Africa.
Anniversary of Comprehensive Peace Agreement Implementation
(Jan. 9): The United States congratulates the parties on the progress made in implementing the CPA over the last four years, including creation of a Government of National Unity, establishment of a wealth-sharing program between North and South Sudan, and completion of the national census. 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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