Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman will travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, South Africa, Kenya and Ethiopia from October 29 to November 8. Under Secretary Sherman will further numerous objectives during her trip including advancing regional security, promoting strong democratic institutions, extending U.S. appreciation for African peacekeeping efforts, and leading the first meeting of the U.S.–South Africa Bilateral Working Group on African and Global Affairs.
During her visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Under Secretary Sherman will meet with officials and civilian stakeholders to discuss security sector reform, strengthening government institutions, and the conflict in the east. In Rwanda, the Under Secretary will meet with government officials and others to discuss our mutual security and development goals, bilaterally and regionally. In Uganda, Under Secretary Sherman will focus on the U.S./Uganda partnership in regional security including Somalia and the efforts against the Lord’s Resistance Army, as well as on the importance of good governance and a strong civil society for both democracy and economic growth.
In South Africa, Under Secretary Sherman will lead the U.S. delegation of the first Bilateral Working Group on African and Global Affairs, as announced by Secretary Clinton in August. While in Kenya, Under Secretary Sherman will follow up on Secretary Clinton’s discussions about the importance of free, fair, and peaceful elections in March 2013 and Kenya's role in advancing regional security. Under Secretary Sherman will finish her trip in Ethiopia, where she will reaffirm the U.S./Ethiopia partnership. In doing so, she will underscore our intent to continue work on the three pillars of the bilateral relationship: economic growth and development, democracy and human rights, and regional peace and security.
