America.gov-Africa

Obama Welcomes President of Botswana to White House

Charles W. Corey — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:47:43 -0500

Hailing Botswana as “truly one of the extraordinary success stories in Africa” and “a great partner of the United States,” President Obama welcomed that country’s president, Ian Khama, to the White House for talks November 5.

Now Is the Time for Democracy in Guinea, U.S. Diplomat Says

Charles W. Corey — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:54:36 -0500

Now is the time for the people of Guinea to elect a democratic government of their choice, senior U.S. State Department official William Fitzgerald tells reporters October 30.

U.S. Strongly Supports U.N. Investigation of Guinea Massacre

Charles W. Corey — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:45:57 -0500

The United States strongly supports a United Nations commission of inquiry to investigate the horrific killings and sexual violence that took place September 28 in Guinea when security forces turned on and killed more than 150 pro-democracy demonstrators and raped countless others.

Former U.S. Envoy Says Military in Guinea Must Surrender Power

Charles W. Corey — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:59:47 -0500

The most important step the international community can take to help Guinea is to pressure the ruling military junta to vacate power so Guinean civil society groups can help the country transition to democracy, says a former U.S. ambassador to that country, Dane F. Smith Jr.

Burkinabé American Uses Cycling to Aid Burkina Faso Flood Victims

Laura Henderson — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:12:50 -0500

When Eric Tiénou, a Burkinabé American and avid cyclist based in New York City, learned that devastating flooding in West Africa had killed at least 150 people and displaced hundreds of thousands more, he turned to social networks and his bicycle to raise money to help flood victims.

U.S. Mission to African Union Shows Commitment to Africa

Charles W. Corey — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:02:31 -0500

The United States was the first major non-African country to appoint a full-time ambassador to the African Union, and that shows the importance the people of the United States attach to their partnership with the people of Africa, says the U.S. ambassador to the African Union, Michael Battle.

Social Networking Unites African Activists

Laura Henderson — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:04:33 -0500

Africans increasingly are using social networking sites and other online tools to hold their leaders accountable, promote good governance and democratize political debate. America.gov looks at how African civil society is expanding into cyberspace.

Gates Foundation Announces $120 Million in Grants for Agriculture

Kathryn McConnell — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:06:33 -0500

A major U.S. charity, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is awarding $120 million in grants to nine organizations to help small farmers in developing countries increase productivity. Bill Gates, co-chair of the foundation, announced the grants October 15, World Food Day.

Sudan Policy Aims at Ending Genocide, Implementing Peace Accord

Stephen Kaufman — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:18:40 -0500

The new U.S. policy toward Sudan emphasizes a need to simultaneously end the suffering in the Darfur region and fully implement the peace accord between the government and the southern region. The United States will be assessing the situation on the ground and using incentives to further progress.

Innovative U.S.-African Partnership Aims at Better Nutrition

Jim Fisher-Thompson — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:24:50 -0500

An innovative new public–private sector partnership with small-scale businesses in Africa will harness the power of commerce and U.S. expertise in health care and development to improve food security on a continent where disease strikes hardest at the undernourished.

Ethiopia Commodity Exchange Returns Value to Farmers

Charles W. Corey — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:31:06 -0500

Can commodity markets succeed in Africa? The success of the Ethiopia Commodity Exchange answers that question with a resounding “yes.” The exchange’s founder and CEO, Eleni Gabre-Madhin, talks about its accomplishments and its goals for the future.

Guinea Violence a “Vile Violation” of Human Rights, Clinton Says

Stephen Kaufman — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:53:05 -0500

Secretary Clinton expresses outrage at the murder and rape of Guinean civilians by the security forces of their country’s ruling military junta on September 28. The secretary calls for an international investigation into the incident, saying there should be “no impunity” for the perpetrators.

Momentum for Change in Africa Is Good Development News

Charles W. Corey — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:57:17 -0500

Africa is changing faster than many realize and there is definite momentum for economic reform and development in the region. Representatives of business and government address a session of the Seventh Biennial U.S.-Africa Business Summit on “Africa Beyond the Global Financial Crisis.”

African Leaders Address U.S.-Africa Business Summit

Charles W. Corey — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:01:31 -0500

Regional integration plays a crucial role in promoting economic development in Africa, say five African leaders at the Seventh Biennial U.S.-Africa Business Summit, held in Washington. Four African presidents and the chairman of the African Union Commission address a summit session.

New U.N. Measure to Encourage Accountability for Sexual Violence

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:13:51 -0500

U.N. Security Council Resolution 1888, which is designed to protect women in conflict zones from sexual violence, can also embolden former victims to participate in efforts to bring perpetrators to justice, which the United States says is an essential part in preventing future crimes.

Clinton: U.S. Stands Ready to Help Expand U.S.-Africa Business

Charles W. Corey — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:32:37 -0500

The United States stands ready to help Africa expand the U.S.-Africa business relationship, but increased opportunities require good governance, according to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Clinton addresses a business summit with more than 1,500 African and American participants.

U.S. Has Worked to Help Africa Weather Global Financial Crisis

Charles W. Corey — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:51:24 -0500

The Obama administration recognizes the effect the global financial crisis has had on sub-Saharan Africa and has “responded with vigorous support,” says Deputy U.S. Treasury Secretary Neal Wolin. Now it appears Africa may be turning the corner in meeting challenges of the 21st century, he adds.

U.S. Calls Guinea’s Military Crackdown “Brazen and Inappropriate”

Stephen Kaufman — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:15:07 -0500

The Guinean military used “brazen and inappropriate” force against unarmed and peaceful demonstrators September 28, the U.S. State Department says as it calls on the country’s ruling military junta to release opposition leaders and allow a return to civilian rule “as soon as possible.”

African Leaders Need to Create the Right Climate for Business

Charles W. Corey — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:27:52 -0500

African leaders “have a duty to create the right climate for business” in Africa, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete says September 28 in Washington, speaking at a luncheon held in his honor on the eve of the Corporate Council on Africa’s Seventh Biennial U.S.-Africa Business Summit.

United States and Angola Are Natural Business Partners

Charles W. Corey — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:16:42 -0500

Investors, entrepreneurs and business executives from the United States and Angola are “finding each other” and finding out that they are “natural partners in business,” U.S. Ambassador to Angola Dan Mozena tells America.gov.

Tanzania, Burkina Faso Thank U.S. for Development Assistance

no byline — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:56:22 -0500

Leaders from Tanzania, Burkina Faso and Albania publicly express their thanks to the United States for development assistance through the Millennium Challenge Corporation at an interactive forum in New York, held in conjunction with the 64th U.N. General Assembly.

Americans, Africans Use Business Summit to Expand Trade

Charles W. Corey — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:22:44 -0500

American and African entrepreneurs and investors will work to establish and expand trade and investment ties at the Seventh Biennial U.S.-Africa Business Summit, which convenes in Washington September 29–October 1. The Commerce Department’s Kevin Boyd talks about the value of this opportunity.

Prosperous, Peaceful Africa Vital to World Community, Obama Says

Susan Domowitz — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:53:22 -0500

It is up to Africans to make Africa the prosperous, peaceful continent that is vital to the interests of the United States and the rest of the world, President Obama tells 25 leaders of sub-Saharan African nations at a luncheon he hosted in New York on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.

U.S.-Africa Trade Poised for Tremendous Growth

Charles W. Corey — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:22:31 -0500

There is potential for tremendous growth in trade between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa, says Kevin R. Boyd, director of the Office of Africa at the U.S. Department of Commerce. American firms will bring not only business, but also training and managerial know-how, he says.

Zambian Filmmaker Says Democracy in Africa Is Constantly Evolving

Charles W. Corey and Jane Morse — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:52:32 -0500

Democracy is not a foreign concept to Africa, but it is a very important concept that is “constantly evolving,” says Chansa Tembo, the U.S. Department of State’s 2009 Democracy Video Challenge winner for Africa. Tembo’s video was chosen as the African winner from about 100 entries from Africa.

United States Planning U.N. Action on Nuclear Disarmament

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:44:25 -0500

After President Obama chairs what will be the fifth summit-level meeting of the United Nation Security Council September 24, the United States expects the council to agree on a resolution concerning nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice tells reporters.

Zimbabwe Political Agreement Needs Full Implementation, U.S. Says

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:20:38 -0500

The United States sees its targeted sanctions against Zimbabwean political leaders as a lever to encourage substantial and sustained progress toward democracy and stability by Zimbabwe’s government, especially the full implementation of the country’s Global Provisional Agreement.

Norman Borlaug, “Father of the Green Revolution,” Dies at Age 95

Kathryn McConnell — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:52:23 -0500

Norman Borlaug, who fought starvation and malnutrition with science, dies at age 95. Recognized as the “father of the Green Revolution,” Borlaug is credited with saving more than 1 billion lives from starvation during the 1960s and early 1970s. In 1970, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Business Summit Will Urge American Companies to Invest in Africa

Stephen Kaufman — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:36:05 -0500

U.S. companies will be encouraged to invest in Africa at the seventh biennial U.S.-Africa Business Summit, which takes place September 29–October 1 in Washington. An official with the Millennium Challenge Corporation says MCC countries offer a gateway to new investment on the continent.

United States Signs Anti-Piracy Agreement

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:35:53 -0500

The United States joins four other nations in signing an international plan to protect ships and thwart piracy off the coast of Somalia. Britain, Cyprus, Japan and Singapore take part in the signing ceremony September 9 in New York.

Envoy Gration Seeks Deal for Peace Accord in Sudan

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:02:51 -0500

U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan Scott Gration is in Juba, Southern Sudan, to hold talks with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement and President Omar Hassan al-Bashir’s National Congress Party on two sticking points to implementation of a broader 2005 peace accord, the State Department says.

Senegal to Receive $540 Million Development Grant

Charles W. Corey — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:56:43 -0500

The board of directors of the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation approves a five-year, $540 million grant to the Republic of Senegal to reduce poverty through economic growth. The compact will focus on road rehabilitation and food security initiatives in some of the poorest regions of Senegal.

Zimbabwe Attorneys Honored for Human Rights Work

Bridget Hunter — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:17:02 -0500

The American Bar Association honors the ongoing work of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights with its 2009 Rule of Law Award for the group’s efforts to encourage and foster a robust human rights culture at all levels of Zimbabwean society through the observance of the rule of law.

Former U.N. Chief Annan’s Weather Initiative Proving Successful

Cheryl Pellerin — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:38:09 -0500

Thanks to a diverse partnership, widespread use of cell phones in Africa and an initiative by former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Africa’s Great Lakes region is getting additional automated weather stations. Some 5,000 additional automated stations are planned in the coming years.

Clinton Cites Concern for Women Farmers During Africa Trip

Jim Fisher-Thompson — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 16:45:48 -0500

Women may “hold up half the sky,” as the Chinese proverb says, but in Africa, as in much of the developing world, they also do most of the strenuous work of farming and deserve special support in the battle to end hunger on the continent, says Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

President Obama’s Remarks at Cairo University, Egypt

safiae — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:42:30 -0500

President Barack Obama makes remarks at Cairo University, Egypt.