Bureau of African Affairs

Date: 05/07/2009 Description: Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Johnnie Carson State Dept PhotoAssistant 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. 

Date: 07/28/2010 Description: A young woman gives a business presentation. - State Dept ImageEmpowering Women Entrepreneurs in Africa
Ambassador Verveer (July 28): "Yesterday I had the opportunity to speak to a group of 34 women entrepreneurs nominated by their embassies for the African Women's Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP). These women are proven leaders, policymakers, and representatives of business and non-profit organizations in their communities, and have traveled to the United States to meet with policymakers, African ministers, companies, and non-profits to enhance their business network and skills." Full Text»

Situation in Darfur
Ambassador Rice (July 27): "We welcomed the progress that UNAMID has made in its deployment in getting closer to its fully mandated strength, the actions that it has taken to expand its presence on the ground and in particular to train police and others to, particularly female police, to strengthen its ability to deal with sexual and gender based violence, and I expressed appreciation for that in the council."  Full Text»

Current State in Uganda
Ambassador Lanier (July 14): "In fact the entire AMISOM mission, which is of course Uganda and Burundi, is more important because Al-Shabab has shown a willingness to kill civilians outside of Somalia." Full Text»

Bombings in Uganda
Secretary Clinton (July 12): At this tragic moment, the United States stands with Uganda. We have a long-standing, close friendship with the people and Government of Uganda and will work with them to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice. Full Text»

President Bashir: Being Held Accountable
Assistant Secretary Crowley (July 12): "President Bashir has to present himself to the ICC and be held to account. And Special Envoy Gration will reiterate that message when he meets with Sudanese officials later this week." Daily Press Briefing»

“We Must Not, Will Not Lose Sight of Darfur”
(July 10): As the international community turns its attention to planning for January 9, 2011, I believe continued engagement on Darfur is as important and relevant as it ever was. Full Text»

U.S.-Angola Strategic Dialogue Partnership
Secretary Clinton (July 8): "This Dialogue represents a new chapter in the relationship between Angola and the United States and reflects the many ties that already connect our nations." Full Text»

 

 


World Refugee Day
(June 18): "Whenever possible, we work to return refugees to their homes in safety and dignity. In cooperation with our many partners from the NGO community, we promote the resolution of conflicts and provide assistance to communities recovering from disasters. And we’re seeing progress in places such as Liberia or South Sudan or Burundi." Full Text»


2010 World Food Prize Laureate Announcement Ceremony
Secretary Clinton (June 16): "With our support, scientists in the U.S. and local research institutions in Kenya and Uganda are working to develop maize that flourishes even when the rains fail. Our local partners are testing new seeds in the field, making adjustments to suit local growing conditions, and reaching out to farmers in Zambia and Mozambique and Tanzania." Full Text»

U.S. Engagement with the ICC and the Review Conference
Ambassador Rapp (June 15): "The U.S. has been a leader in international justice, beginning with Nuremberg, and in Tokyo, but particularly beginning, again, in 1993 with the establishment of the Yugoslavia Court, [and] the establishment of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, and thereafter with the Special Court for Sierra Leone and other international institutions where we were a large contributor to those courts." Full Text» | (June 2): Accountability for Genocide...Full Text»

U.S. Priorities for sub-Saharan Africa
(June 14): "I want to begin today by emphasizing the strong commitment of this Administration to working with our African partners to bring about a more peaceful, stable, and prosperous Africa. This Administration sees immense potential in Africa, and we are determined to work with Africans across the continent to help realize this promise." Full Text» | Secretary's Remarks»

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