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. 

Mass Rapes in the DRC
Ambassador Rice (Aug. 26): "I just want to take this opportunity to reiterate from the U.S. point of view our strongest possible condemnation of the rapes and attacks that occurred against scores of innocent civilians. We are horrified, and we are outraged, and that led us, in conjunction with the French, to request this detailed briefing this morning." Full Text»


 

Piracy in Somalia
Ambassador Rice (Aug. 25): "Mr. President, the tragic events which took place yesterday in Mogadishu, which resulted in the death and injury of innocent civilians, including Members of the Somali Parliament, underscores the urgency with which we must address the terror and hardship all Somalis face on a daily basis." Full Text»


 

Date: 04/27/2010 Description: African women and children © AP ImageAllegation of Mass Rape in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
(Aug. 25): The United States is deeply concerned by reports of the mass rape of women and children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) – an armed, illegal rebel group that has terrorized eastern Congo for over a decade – and elements of the Mai Mai, community-based militia groups in eastern Congo. This horrific attack is yet another example of how sexual violence undermines efforts to achieve and maintain stability in areas torn by conflict but striving for peace. Full Text»

President Obama to Young African Leaders: "50 Years From Now, When You Look Back..."
(Aug. 3): Yesterday afternoon the President held a town hall with 115 young leaders from more than 40 countries across Africa -- it was the kind of White House event under this President that surprises you, catching you off guard with its honesty. White House Blog»  Fact Sheet»  Follow-on Activities»

2010 AGOA Forum
Secretary Clinton (Aug. 3): "In place after place, the hope and progress that I saw are, every day, sweeping away old stereotypes and offering the world a new view of Africa. In small villages and sprawling cities across that great and diverse continent, poverty, conflict, and corruption are giving a way to opportunity, stability, and democracy." Full Text»


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» | More»

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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