Bureau of African Affairs
Acting Assistant Secretary Phillip Carter leads the Bureau of African Affairs, the division of the Department of State that advises the Secretary about sub-Saharan Africa. The Bureau's priority is conflict resolution With U.S. support, since 2002 violent conflicts have ended in Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and the North-South element of the Sudan crisis.
The U.S. has provided much of the humanitarian assistance and logistical support and training for African peacekeepers in Darfur and Somalia. At the same time, the U.S. has led by example to confront Africa's worst diseases. The U.S. Government’s fight against AIDS (PEPFAR) is the largest foreign assistance program since the Marshall Plan. The U.S. Government is also confronting malaria and a host of other tropical diseases. In the long term, Africans have established priorities to consolidate democratic gains and sustain broad-based economic growth. In the long term, Africans have established priorities to consolidate democratic gains and sustain broad-based economic growth.
15th Commemoration of the 1994 Rwandan GenocideSecretary Clinton (Apr. 7): "We pause today to remember and pay our respects to the more than 800,000 victims who died in the 100 days of carnage in 1994. On this solemn occasion, we recall this event as one of the most tragic chapters in recent history." Full Text
U.S. Condemns Coup d'Etat in Madagascar and Suspends Non-Humanitarian Assistance
(Mar. 20): The United States condemns the process through which Marc Ravalomanana was forced to resign as President of the Republic of Madagascar and Andry Rajoelina subsequently was installed as the de facto head of state as undemocratic and contrary to the rule of law. Full Text | African Union's Call to Action on Mauritania
Humanitarian Situation in Sudan
Amb. Rice (Mar. 23): "Let me be clear. This is not a made up crisis, as the representative of Sudan would have you believe. On the contrary, this is a very real and urgent crisis of his government's own making. President Bashir and his government are responsible and must be held accountable for each and every death caused by these callous and calculated actions. The Sudanese government made this decision and owns its consequences." Full Text | Charge' Fernandez to Darfur (Taken Question) | U.S. Humanitarian Aid to Darfur (Taken Question)
Update on the Situations of Zimbabwe
Amb. McGee (Mar. 23): "We are working hard with the international community. We have quite a few players on the ground in Zimbabwe working to alleviate the situation. And the Zimbabwean Government is trying to spin itself up to do more to assist its people but there still is an issue and still so much more to be done." Full Text | Countries Meet To Discuss Zimbabwe
Secretary Clinton Hosts African Representatives
(Mar. 23): Secretary Clinton hosted Nigerian Foreign Minister Ojo Maduekwe - View Video
(Mar. 19): Secretary Clinton hosted South African Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma - View Video
Sign up for email updates on African issues.
President's Global Health Initiative
(May 5): Our investments in programs to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, TB, and other preventable diseases save millions of lives, reduce maternal and child mortality, and reflect our nation’s leadership as a positive force for progress around the world. Full Text
Need for Parties to Commit to Peace Process Immediately and End Provocations
(Apr. 30): The United States calls on all parties to the conflict in Darfur to join the Doha peace talks immediately and to cease all provocations and violent actions in Darfur. Full Text
South African Elections
(Apr. 28): The United States congratulates the people, political parties, government and the Independent Electoral Commission of the Republic of South Africa, on the successful completion of their fourth national election. Full Text
Sign up for email updates on African issues.
Watch the Daily Press Briefing and read other releases on Africa.
President Obama (Mar 18): "Today, I am pleased to join Secretary Clinton in announcing the appointment of Major General J. Scott Gration as the U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan." Full Text
2008 Human Rights Report
(Feb. 25): The Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2008 has been released. Full Report | AFRICA Only
Trafficking in Persons: Interim Assessments
The 2007 Interim Assessment covers Central African Republic, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritania, South Africa, Togo. 2007 Report
Country Reports on Terrorism, 2007
Annual update of this Congressionally mandated report. Africa Overview | Full Report
International Religious Freedom Report, 2007
Advancing Freedom and Democracy Reports, May 2008 | AFRICA ONLY
The Office of Electronic Information, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.