Well, the Africa trip is official, and we can see why it took awhile for the State Department to post the itinerary - it's another
long one, and arranging it must have been very complex since it does not coincide with earlier reports. More than a week, it's another killer - six countries/11 days. Ghana and Nigeria are not mentioned, but Kenya and South Sudan are. I think I
speak for everyone here in wishing her a safe and successful trip and
hoping she manages to sneak in a little vacation time when she gets back
home.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to Travel to Africa
Press Statement
Victoria Nuland
Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
July 30, 2012
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will travel to Africa July 31 through August 10, 2012.
During this trip, the Secretary will emphasize U.S. policy commitments
outlined in the Presidential Policy Directive - to strengthen democratic
institutions, spur economic growth, advance peace and security as well
as promote opportunity and development for all citizens
The Secretary’s first stop will be Senegal,
where she will meet President Sall and other national leaders and
deliver a speech applauding the resilience of Senegal's democratic
institutions and highlighting America's approach to partnership.
Next, Secretary Clinton travels to South Sudan
where she meets with President Kiir to reaffirm U.S. support and to
encourage progress in negotiations with Sudan to reach agreement on
issues related to security, oil and citizenship.
In Uganda, the Secretary meets with President Museveni
to encourage strengthening of democratic institutions and human rights,
while also reinforcing Uganda as a key U.S. partner in promoting
regional security, particularly in regard to Somalia and in regional
efforts to counter the Lord’s Resistance Army. She will also highlight
U.S. support in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The Secretary will then travel to Kenya
where she plans to meet President Kibaki, Prime Minister Odinga, and
other government officials to emphasize her support for transparent,
credible, nonviolent national elections in 2013. To underscore U.S.
support for completing the political transition in Somalia by August
20th, Secretary Clinton will also meet with President Sheikh Sharif and
other signatories to the Roadmap to End the Transition.
The Secretary continues her trip in Malawi, visiting President Banda to discuss economic and political governance and reform.
In South Africa, Secretary Clinton will pay her respects to ex-President Mandela,
and to participate in the U.S.-South Africa Strategic Dialogue focusing
on the partnership between our two countries in addressing issues of
mutual concern and our shared challenges on the African and world stage.
Secretary Clinton will be accompanied by a U.S. business delegation.
