Africa, August 3-14, 2009

Secretary Clinton: Travel to Africa

August 3, 2009 to August 14, 2009

Travels With
Secretary of State
Hillary Rodham Clinton

Picture of Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton

View Answers to "Text the Secretary" Questions | Photos: -Kenya and Congo -Angola -Nigeria -Liberia -Flickr

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton began a seven-nation trip to Africa at the 8^th U.S. – Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum (known as the AGOA Forum) in Nairobi, Kenya.

This trip highlighted the Obama administration’s commitment to making Africa a priority in U.S. foreign policy. This is the earliest in any U.S. administration that both the President and the Secretary of State have visited Africa.

While in Kenya, Secretary Clinton discussed new approaches to development, including an emphasis on investment and broad-based economic growth. The Secretary was joined in Kenya by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, and Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Johnnie Carson.

During the visit to Kenya, the Secretary delivered a speech at the Ministerial Opening Ceremony for the AGOA Forum, participated in bilateral meetings with Kenya’s senior leaders, discussed global hunger and agricultural issues at a major research institute, and engaged with Kenyan citizens. She also met with Sheikh Sharif Amed, the President of Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government.

The Secretary continued her travel with stops in South Africa, Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Liberia, and Cape Verde. In each nation, she emphasized Africa as a place of opportunity, built on an ethic of responsibility. She underlines America’s commitment to partner with governments, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and private citizens to build societies where each individual can realize their potential.

In her bilateral meetings and other events, she encouraged new solutions to old challenges, harnessing the power of innovation and technology to provide a foundation for future stability, human development, and sustainable economic growth. She stressed the importance of facilitating social and economic entrepreneurship, encouraging a new generation of young African scientists, small business leaders, entrepreneurs and civic leaders who are solving real problems and establishing new models for economic success and social advances, with women as full partners in this progress. And she discussed 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.

Following her visit to Cape Verde, the Secretary returned to Washington, DC.

Remarks by Secretary Clinton

CAPE VERDE
-08/14/09 Comments Upon Departure From Cape Verde
-08/14/09 Remarks With Prime Minister Maria Pereira Neves of Cape Verde

LIBERIA
-08/13/09 Remarks at Liberian National Police Academy
-08/13/09 Secretary Clinton Meets With Embassy Monrovia Personnel and Their Families
-08/13/09 Address to Joint Session of Liberian National Legislature
-08/13/09 Toast at Lunch Hosted by Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
-08/13/09 Remarks With Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf

NIGERIA
-08/12/09 Interview With Umar Said Tudun Wada of Radio Freedom Kano
-08/12/09 Town Hall With Civil Society Representatives on Good Governance and Transparency
-08/12/09 Remarks at Interfaith Outreach Roundtable
-08/12/09 Interview With Mo Abudu of "Moments with Mo"
-08/12/09 Meet and Greet With Embassy Personnel and Their Families
-08/12/09 Remarks With Nigerian Foreign Minister Ojo Maduekwe
-08/12/09 Joint Press Availability With Foreign Minister Ojo Maduekwe
-08/11/09 Briefing En Route Nigeria