Clinton to embark on seven-nation African safari in August

 
Just back from her second trip to Asia, with stops in India and Thailand, Clinton will virtually crisscross the African continent beginning August 5, to reach out to African people as promised by the president Barack Obama.

Clinton will visit Kenya, South Africa, Angola, Congo, Nigeria, Liberia and Cape Verde as part of her visit.

Obama was himself in Ghana early this month. “This trip will highlight the Obama administration’s commitment to making Africa a priority in US foreign policy. This will be the earliest in any US administration that both the President and the Secretary of State have visited Africa,” said Ian Kelly, the State Department spokesman.

Nairobi, the Kenyan Capital, will be Clinton’s first stopover; where she will attend the 8th US–SubSaharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum (known as the AGOA Forum).

While in Kenya, Clinton will discuss new approaches to development, including an emphasis on investment and broad-based economic growth. She will be joined in Kenya by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack; US Trade Representative Ron Kirk, and Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Johnnie Carson.

During the visit to Kenya, Clinton will deliver a speech at the Ministerial Opening Ceremony for the AGOA Forum, participate in bilateral meetings with senior leaders, discuss global hunger and agricultural issues at a major research institute, and engage with Kenyan citizens.

She will also meet with Sheikh Sharif Amed, the President of Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government.

Clinton will continue her travel with stops in South Africa, Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Liberia, and Cape Verde. In each nation, she will emphasise Africa as a place of opportunity, built on an ethic of responsibility, Kelly said.

“She will underline America’s commitment to partner with governments, the private sector, non-governmental organisations, and private citizens to build societies where each individual can realise their potential,” he said.

“She will encourage harnessing the power of innovation and technology to provide a foundation for future stability and human development.

“She will stress the importance of facilitating social and economic entrepreneurship, encouraging a new generation of young African scientists, entrepreneurs and civic leaders who are solving real problems and establishing new models for economic and social advances, with women as full partners.

“She will discuss ways to foster good regional governance, partnering with regional leaders to band together to prevent conflict and violence, including gender-based violence, democratic erosions and transnational threats,” Kelly said.