Bureau of African Affairs
Assistant Secretary Johnnie Carson 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.
Secretary Clinton and Kenyan Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula
Secretary Clinton (Aug. 5): "The United States and Kenya share a long and deep history of friendship and cooperation. We consider Kenya a key strategic partner, a regional leader, and a nation of almost boundless potential... I wanted the leaders to know that we respect greatly the way that the Kenyan people pulled their country back from the brink of disaster once, and the ongoing connection between the private sector, civil society, and the government that is the key to resolving these issues." Full text | More on Secretary's Trip
Remarks at the 8th Forum of the African Growth Opportunity Act
Secretary Clinton (Aug. 5): "Because trade is a critical platform for Africa’s economic growth, we’re exploring ways to lower global trade barriers to ease the burdens on African farmers and producers. Today, Africa accounts for two percent of global trade. If Sub-Saharan Africa were to increase that share by only one percent, it would generate additional export revenues each year greater than the total amount of annual assistance that Africa currently receives. We will strive to meet the G-20 leaders pledge in London to complete the Doha Round and make it a success. And we’re committed to working with our African partners to maximize the opportunities created by our trade preference programs. That is why we’re here today." Full Text | AGOA Gala Dinner
Briefing on Secretary Clinton's Upcoming Trip to Africa
Assistant Secretary Carson (July 30): "A pleasure to be here with you this afternoon to talk to you a little bit about Secretary Clinton’s forthcoming trip to Africa. Secretary of State Clinton will travel to Kenya, South Africa, Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Liberia, and Cape Verde, starting on August 4 and returning to the United States on August 14. The trip will start at the U.S.-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum, known mostly as the AGOA Forum, in Nairobi, Kenya, where she will deliver a speech at the ministerial opening ceremony of the forum on August the 5th...The Secretary’s trip follows the themes laid out by President Obama during his visit to Ghana: supporting strong and sustainable democratic governments; promoting sustainable economic development; strengthening public health and education; assisting in the prevention, litigation, and resolution of conflicts around Africa." Full Text
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United States Launches Investment Treaty Negotiations with Mauritius
(Aug. 5): Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk announced today that the United States and Mauritius will begin formal negotiations toward a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) that would strengthen investor protections and encourage the continuation of market-oriented economic reforms in Mauritius. Full Text
Secretary Clinton Visits Africa
The Secretary takes a seven-nation trip to Africa, beginning with the 8th U.S.-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Forum (known as AGOA) in Nairobi, Kenya. More | Travel Diary
Refugees in Rwanda
Rwanda is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa. Over 53,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic Congo compete with native Rwandans for scarce resources, including timber for cooking fires. Blog
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Watch the Daily Press Briefing and read other releases on Africa.
2008 Human Rights Report
The Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2008 has been released. Full Report | AFRICA Only
Trafficking in Persons: Interim Assessments
The most recent report has been released on June 16, 2009. 2009 Report | Secretary Remarks
Advancing Freedom and Democracy Reports, May 2008 | AFRICA ONLY
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