Secretary Clinton tours Africa

August 5, 3:35 PMPhiladelphia Foreign Affairs ExaminerIvanley Noisette

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US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Nairobi, Kenya

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton began a multi-nation tour of Africa this week in an effort to reinvigorate relations between the US and the continent.

The Obama administration realizes the importance of warm ties between African countries and the United States. The secretary’s visit will aim to strengthen ties and display the mutual economic and security interests that the US shares with countries like Kenya, South Africa, Somalia and Nigeria.

Mrs. Clinton began her visit in Nairobi, Kenya where she underscored the deep concern that Washington has over the Kenyan parliamentary decision not to create a special tribunal to hold those who perpetrated the 2007-2008 post-election violence in Kenya. Some Kenyan officials have dismissed the concern including Prime Minister Odinga who was quoted as saying, “Africa does not need too much lecturing on governance issues.”

Secretary Clinton will focus on good governance, women’s rights, food security and sustainable development during her trip.

Clinton will meet with Somali President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed later this week where she is expected to announce additional military and financial backing.

The UN-backed government in Somalia has been struggling to maintain authority due to clashes with insurgent groups that have left many parts of the country unstable.

The secretary will end her 11-day trip with a visit to Cape Verde, a democratic island nation in West Africa that receives a significant amount of US aid.

For more infomation on US/Africa trade relations: Click here African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)