Sunday, October 20, 2019

U.S. Issues Statement on the Passing of President Robert Mugabe



Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC
September 6, 2019

We extend our condolences to those mourning the loss of former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe. Robert Mugabe helped liberate Zimbabwe, but his human rights abuses and gross economic mismanagement impoverished millions and betrayed his people’s hopes for their nation. We continue to support the aspirations of the Zimbabwean people for a better, more prosperous future.

AMDIE / WINVESTNET Host 1st U.S. Africa Investment Meeting (AIM) Roadshow in Washington, DC


 
Mr. Reda Rami, Chairman & Founder of WINVESTNET (left) and H.E. Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, AU Permanent Representative to the U.S. (right), presenting the Africa Investment Award to AU Commissioner for Trade and Industry H.E. Albert Muchanga
Photo: Afrikan Post


October 1, 2019
World Trade Center, Ronald Reagan Building – Washington, DC
By Frederick Nnoma-Addison, Event Moderator

The African Union Commissioner for Trade and Industry, H.E. Albert Muchanga has stated that the July 7 launch of the historic African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has created an exceptionally large market that offers enhanced opportunities for joint ventures with foreign companies looking for reliable partners in Africa. He encouraged investors to therefore move in, now that the market is operational, “to capitalize on first-mover advantages.”

Commissioner Muchanga made these remarks during his keynote address at the Africa Investment Meeting Roadshow held at the World Trade Center, Ronald Reagan Building, in Washington, DC on Tuesday October 1, 2019. He explained that the Continental Free Trade Area is favorable to foreign investors as follows. “Now that AfCFTA is operational, companies that are able to produce to scale will be incentivized to start investing in Africa, and that will give them the capacity to be exporting to larger markets because they invested a lot of money. So, by aggregating, we are also promoting a large-scale investment, which can now produce at a larger scale, satisfy Africa, and export products to the rest of the world.” Commissioner Muchanga said.

Event Photo Album by George Bright -Afrikan Post

He also dispelled some international misperceptions and reiterated one of the agreement’s key merits. “The African Continental Free Trade Area is not closing Africa from the rest of the world – we are opening it to the rest of the world by creating the necessary capacity.” Before his keynote address, H.E. Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao introduced Commissioner Muchanga to the attendees and praised him for his exceptional vision and execution of the signature African Union initiative.

African nations launched the operational phase of the landmark free trade accord at the African Union Summit in Niamey, Niger on July 7, creating what leaders hope will be the world’s largest free trade area.

African Investment Meeting (AIM) Road Show is a signature event of WINVESTNET, an investment platform established in 1998, dedicated to Africa’s infrastructure & strategic projects In recent years, the Roadshow has stopped in Dakar, Beijing, Shanghai, and Casablanca, and has sourced and presented hundreds of viable projects to investors for funding. Mr. Reda Rami Chairman & Founder of WINVESTNET presented information about his organization and the African Investment Marketplace – the vehicle through which WINVESTNET presents its viable and bankable projects to its pool of investors.

The Washington Roadshow was organized in partnership with AMDIE Morocco’s Investment and Trade Agency in charge of promoting Morocco as a foreign investment destination, supporting Moroccan exporters and assisting Moroccan companies investing abroad.

A total of sixteen countries participated in the Washington, DC event with the goal of exploring funding opportunities for government infrastructure projects or identifying viable projects requiring funding. They are: Algeria, Benin, Chad, Egypt, Ghana, Senegal, South Africa, South Sudan, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Rwanda, Zambia, Switzerland, and the United States.
The Embassy of Zambia screened a short film to highlight the investment opportunities the country offers and Moroccan officials Ms. Nejma El Houda Bouamama and Mr. M’hamed Ben Mokhtar presented Morocco as a “Gateway to Africa” for American investors seeking to businesses with the entire continent. Mr. Gregory Simpkins, Senior Advisor, Africa Bureau USAID and Mr. Scott Ticknor, Senior Advisor to the President, Corporate Council on Africa represented their organizations at the event.

AIM Roadshow continues to Beijing on October 22.

U.S. Issues Revised Visa Reciprocity Fees for Nigeria



@StateDept Issues Revised Visa Reciprocity Fees For Nigeria

The US Embassy Abuja in Nigeria announced recently that the visa reciprocity schedule for Nigeria has changed effective August 29, 2019.  The statement notes that since early 2018, the U.S. government has engaged the Nigerian government to request that the Nigerian government change the fees charged to U.S. citizens for certain visa categories.  Apparently, the government of Nigeria has not changed its fee structure for U.S. citizen visa applicants, so now the State Department has issued new reciprocity fees. Note that visa processing fees, and visa issuance fees are not the same.
Effective worldwide on 29 August, Nigerian citizens will be required to pay a visa issuance fee, or reciprocity fee, for all approved applications for nonimmigrant visas in B, F, H1B, I, L, and R visa classifications.  The reciprocity fee will be charged in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee, also known as the MRV fee, which all applicants pay at the time of application.  Nigerian citizens whose applications for a nonimmigrant visa are denied will not be charged the new reciprocity fee.  Both reciprocity and MRV fees are non-refundable, and their amounts vary based on visa classification.

U.S. law requires U.S. visa fees and validity periods to be based on the treatment afforded to U.S. citizens by foreign governments, insofar as possible.  Visa issuance fees are implemented under the principle of reciprocity: when a foreign government imposes additional visa fees on U.S. citizens, the United States will impose reciprocal fees on citizens of that country for similar types of visas.  Nationals of a number of countries worldwide are currently required to pay this type of fee after their nonimmigrant visa application is approved.

The total cost for a U.S. citizen to obtain a visa to Nigeria is currently higher than the total cost for a Nigerian to obtain a comparable visa to the United States.  The new reciprocity fee for Nigerian citizens is meant to eliminate that cost difference.

Since early 2018, the U.S. government has engaged the Nigerian government to request that the Nigerian government change the fees charged to U.S. citizens for certain visa categories.  After eighteen months of review and consultations, the government of Nigeria has not changed its fee structure for U.S. citizen visa applicants, requiring the U.S. Department of State to enact new reciprocity fees in accordance with our visa laws.

The reciprocity fee will be required for all Nigerian citizens worldwide, regardless of where they are applying for a nonimmigrant visa to the United States.  The reciprocity fee is required for each visa that is issued, which means both adults and minors whose visa applications are approved will be charged the reciprocity fee.  The fee can only be paid at the U.S. Embassy or the U.S. Consulate General.  The reciprocity fee cannot be paid at banks or any other location.

The new fees range between $80 to $303.00 USD.  The Visa Reciprocity Schedule is available here.

Meet the New U.S. Ambassador to Malawi


Photo: Malawi Government via Twitter

Government of Malawi
August 6, 2019

New United States of America Ambassador to #Malawi, Robert Scott, Tuesday, presented his letters of credence to President Prof. @APMutharika at Sanjika Palace.

About Robert Scott (courtesy U.S. Embassy, Malawi)

Robert Scott, a member of the Foreign Service, is currently the Ambassador of the United States to the Republic of Malawi. Prior to this, Ambassador Scott was the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs covering West African Affairs and Economic and Regional Affairs. Previously he served as the Director for Economic and Regional Affairs in the Department of State’s Africa Bureau, the Deputy Chief of Mission in Zimbabwe and Tanzania, and as the Deputy Office Director for West African Affairs. Other overseas tours include Ukraine, Germany, France, Ghana, and domestic assignments working on climate change and European security issues.

Mr. Scott joined the Foreign Service in 1994. He received a B.A. from Lawrence University, and has an M.A. in International Relations from American

United States and Algeria Sign Cultural Property Agreement


Photo: State Department

Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC
August 14, 2019

Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Marie Royce and Algerian Minister of Culture Meriem Merdaci will sign a landmark bilateral Memorandum of Understanding on cultural property protection on Thursday, August 15, at 11:00 a.m. at the Department of State.

This agreement places U.S. import restrictions on categories of Algerian archaeological material dating from 2.4 million years ago to approximately 1750 A.D., including some of the earliest human remains found at Ain Boucherit and cultural objects from many of Algeria’s World Heritage sites, including Tipasa, Timgad, and Dj’mila. The joint commitment of the United States and Algeria to protect Algeria’s heritage and accessibility for future generations promotes economic development around sustainable tourism and reduces the incentive for pillage and trafficking.

The United States has been unwavering in its commitment to protect and preserve cultural heritage around the world and to combat the trafficking in cultural property that funds criminal and terrorist networks. The cultural property agreement negotiated by the State Department under the U.S. law implementing the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property demonstrates the United States commitment to our relationship with Algeria. The United States has similar bilateral agreements with 19 countries around the world, and has imposed emergency import restrictions on cultural property from Iraq and Syria as well.

Meet the New U.S. Ambassador to Libya


Photo: U.S. Embassy Libya


U.S. Embassy Libya
August 22, 2019

Today, U.S. Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland presented a copy of his credentials to Libyan Foreign Minister Mohamed Taher Siala at the Libyan Embassy in Tunisia. In their meeting, Ambassador Norland reiterated his commitment to intensify diplomatic engagement with all parties with the goal of bringing an early end to the conflict in Libya. He also expressed continued U.S. support of UN-led efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire and negotiated political solution that promotes prosperity, security and stability for all Libyans.

About Richard Norland (from Wikipedia)

Ambassador Richard Norland previously served as the Foreign Policy Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joseph Dunford. Prior to that he served as U.S. Ambassador to Georgia (2012-2015), Deputy Commandant/International Affairs Advisor at the National War College (2010-2012), U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan (2007-2010), and Deputy Chief of Mission at the American Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan (2005-2007) and Riga, Latvia (2003-2005).[2]

From October 2002 through January 2003, Richard Norland served in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan as a diplomat with the U.S. Army Civil Affairs team promoting political and economic reconstruction.[2]

Richard Norland was Director for European Affairs at the National Security Council for two years during the Clinton and Bush administrations, focusing in particular on the Northern Ireland peace process, as well as on the Baltic States, OSCE, and a number of key European partners. He served as Political Counselor at the American Embassy in Dublin, Ireland from 1995 through the negotiation of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.[3]

Richard Norland served from 1988-1990 as Political Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, USSR during President Gorbachev’s tenure and the period of glasnost and perestroika. He was subsequently detailed to the Pentagon’s Office of the Secretary of Defense, where he worked on policy issues following the break-up of the Soviet Union. He served in 1993 as the U.S. representative and acting mission head on the CSCE Mission to Georgia, addressing conflicts in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and later visited Chechnya in a similar capacity.[3]

Earlier in his career, Richard Norland served in the United States’ northernmost diplomatic office, 250 miles north of the Arctic Circle, as Chief of the U.S. Information Office in Tromsø, Norway. He later served as Senior Arctic Official coordinating the U.S. chairmanship of the Arctic Council. He was also a Special Assistant (for African affairs) to the Under Secretary for Political Affairs. He served as Norway-Denmark desk officer, and as assistant desk officer for South Africa. His first tour was in Manama, Bahrain.[3]

President Trump Meets Egyptian President el-Sisi


Photo: Carlos Barria/Reuters

Office of the Press Secretary
The White House
August 26, 2019

Remarks by President Trump and President El-Sisi of the Arab Republic of Egypt Before Bilateral Meeting | Biarritz, France

Hotel du Palais
Biarritz, France
8:52 A.M. CEST

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much. It’s a great honor to be with President El-Sisi, who’s a friend of mine for now a long time, it seems, right? From even before the campaign.

PRESIDENT EL-SISI: Yes.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: We met during the campaign, a little before the campaign. And we got along right away. I didn’t actually ask for an endorsement, but I think if I would’ve asked, I might have gotten it. (Laughter.)

We understood each other very well. He’s a very tough man, I will tell you that. But he’s also a good man, and he’s done a fantastic job in Egypt. Not easy.

So we’ll be talking, today, trade. We’ll be talking military. A lot of things are happening in your part of the world, as usual, unfortunately.

And also, very big things are happening with China. You probably read the breaking news a little while ago that they want to make a deal — they just came out — and they want calm. And that’s a great thing, frankly. And one of the reasons that he’s a great leader — President Xi — and one of the reasons that China is a great country is they understand how life works. And that was just announced.
China called, last night, our top trade people, and said, “Let’s get back to the table.” So, we’ll be getting back to the table. And I think they want to do something. They’ve been hurt very badly, but they understand this is the right thing to do. And I have great respect for it. I have great respect for it.

This is a very positive development for the world.

So we’re going to have a further statement on China. We’ll have a news conference a little bit later, unless the media doesn’t want a news conference. If you don’t want one, we’ll cancel it immediately. But assuming you want one, we’ll have a news conference, which I think you might want.
In the meantime, Egypt has made tremendous progress under a great leader’s leadership. It’s what it’s all about. And your staff also, who I’ve gotten to know — fantastic people. So I want to thank you and I want to congratulate you.

PRESIDENT EL-SISI: (As interpreted.) Your Excellency, I thank you very much. It’s, really, a pleasure to have this meeting with you. We enjoy mutual understanding, appreciation, and respect.

And this is a marvelous thing that we’re having together.

And as you mentioned, Your Excellency, our relationship started before the campaign, during the campaign, and afterwards. And I’m confident that it is going to last.

We expressed our congratulations in advance, before, and we express our congratulations now, in advance.

There are a lot of issues of mutual interest that we’re going to address in this meeting. And we always enjoy this mutual and deep understanding.

I express my highest respect, thanks, and appreciation, Mr. President.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much. One of the things we’ll be discussing — one of the things we’ll be discussing will be trade. And I can’t underestimate or speak more highly of the trade deal we made yesterday with Japan. It’s an incredible — an incredible deal. It’s a massive deal, especially for our agriculture — our farmers, our ranchers — and e-commerce. A big e-commerce component that is very important.

But it’s a fantastic deal. It’s a tremendous deal. It came at a great time. And we’ve been helping the farmers anyway, but it’s something that really has impressed me very much, Mr. President. Our farmers, they don’t want to take. They want to produce. They want to be able to do their work. They don’t want anything for nothing. They’re incredible people. I call them “great American patriots.” And they’ve been really — the job they’re doing is something very special.

So we made a very big deal yesterday with Japan, and it is — it’s one of the biggest trade deals you’ll ever see.

And my only problem, Mr. President, is when we make a really big and really great trade deal, like with Japan yesterday — the media never writes about it. They never write about it. They only like to write about the bad things. And there aren’t too many of them. There aren’t too many of them.

Okay. Do you have anything further to say? Okay, thank you very much.

Q Mr. President, can you tell us about the China call that you referred to? When will the next round of negotiations start? And did you speak to President Xi?

Q Mr. President, can you tell me why the Palestinian Authority has been taken out of the U.S. State Department website? And how is it conducive to the peace —

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Go ahead. What was your question?

Q Mr. President, I asked you: Could you tell us a little bit more about the call you referred to? When will the next round of negotiations with China start?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, we’ve gotten two calls. And very, very good calls. Very productive calls. They mean business. They want to be able to make a deal. It’s very important that — yeah, I think it’s very important for them.

Look, they’ve lost 3 million jobs, and a lot of things have happened. And it’s why President Xi is a great leader. He understands. And it’s going to be great for China. It’s going to be great for the U.S.

It’s going to be great for the world. He understands that, and he’s able to do things that other people aren’t able to do.

So, we were called, and we’re going to start very shortly to negotiate, and we’ll see what happens.

But I think we’re going to make a deal because they don’t want to lose their chains. They have supply chains that are unbelievably intricate, and people are all leaving and they’re going to other countries, including the United States, by the way. We’re going to get a lot of them too, a percentage. Meaning, we’ll get — I think we’re going to get a higher percentage than a lot of people would think.

So we are going to start talking very seriously, and we’ll see how that goes. We’ve had a lot of good things.

We had other good news yesterday, but I can’t talk to you about that. And, frankly, you people — you called that one totally wrong. You had that one figured as wrong as you can figure it. But we had some other good news yesterday.

Q Are you speaking to President Xi directly?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: I don’t want to say. I can’t comment on that.

Q Do you have any response to Foreign Minister Zarif being here yesterday? Were you surprised that he was here?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: No.

Q And did you talk about — did you meet with him? Did anyone from the U.S. government meet with him?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: No, I don’t want to comment on that. But he was here, and we’ll see what happens with Iran. But you called it wrong in the media last night. I like to at least tell you when you call — and I’ll tell you when you call it right, too, which isn’t too often.

Q Some of your allies, though, are saying that it was disrespectful for Macron to invite Zarif —

PRESIDENT TRUMP: No, just the opposite.

Q — or that it was disrespectful to the U.S.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: No, no, no.

Q You don’t feel that way?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: He asked my approval. President Macron asked my — we have a very good relationship. Look — you know, that’s another thing you got wrong.

I mean, we had — this was the best meeting we’ve had with President Macron, in France. It was straight up — now, we’re not finished yet. We have another, sort of, a day left. We have a lot of meetings, including with the President of Egypt, which I’m looking forward to. And I’m meeting with Angela Merkel in a little while. And we’re meeting with a few others. And we have some very important meetings planned, plus we have some sessions. And then we’ll have a news conference if you so choose.

Q Mr. President —

PRESIDENT TRUMP: But on the Macron — no, no, that was — he spoke to me. He asked me. I said, “If you want to do that, that’s okay.” I don’t consider that disrespectful at all, especially when he asked me for approval.

Q Mr. President, President El-Sisi is an important figure in the U.S. peace —

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Very important.

Q Can you speak about that and whether taking Palestinian Authority out of the State Department’s website list of countries is conducive to that?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, you can ask Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State. And he’s working very, very hard on that situation, and very competently. And if you look and see what’s going on with the Palestinians and with Israel, we’d like to see if we can make a deal. It’s very — it got complicated by the Israeli elections, but we’re going to know who the Prime Minister is going to be fairly soon. It’s happening along. That was a complicating factor.

I think the Palestinians would like to make a deal. As you know, I cut off most funding to the Palestinians — a lot of funding. And I think they’d like to get it back. I think they’d like to make a deal. We’ll see what happens. Nobody has ever done that before. They used to negotiate paying a fortune of money — $750 million. They’d pay, pay, pay. And they’d be treated with disrespect, but they’d keep paying. This went on for years. So I don’t believe in that.

We cut off their funding — a lot of it. And we’ll see what happens. But I think they want to make a deal, the Palestinians. And I think Israel would like to make a deal too.

I think people, after so many years and decades, I think they’re a little tired of fighting. Even he gets tired of fighting. Him, I’m not sure about. I think he always wants to fight.

Q Are you confident that it’s going to be released right after the Israeli election?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Oh, I don’t — you mean the deal?

Q The peace (inaudible).

PRESIDENT TRUMP: No, of course not. It won’t be before the election, I don’t think.

Q No, after. After the election.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: But I think you may see what the deal is before the election. But I — and I think a deal will happen. But everybody says that that’s a deal that can’t be made. They always refer to that deal — Israel and the Palestinians; there’s tremendous hatred for many, many decades. And everybody says that is a deal that cannot be made. So we’ll see if we can make it.

Q When did President Macron tell you he was going to invite the —

PRESIDENT TRUMP: I don’t want to comment on that. But I knew he was coming in and I respected the fact that he was coming in. And he met with President Macron. And Iran has got a very difficult situation. They’re in a position that’s not a very good position from the standpoint of economics. And that’s okay, because we can clear that up very quickly.

I’m looking to have a really good Iran, really strong. We’re not looking for regime change. You’ve seen how that works over the last 20 years. That hasn’t been too good. And we’re looking to make — make Iran rich again. Let’s — let them be rich. Let’s let them do well, if they want, or they can be poor as can be. They can be like they are now.

And I’ll tell you what: I don’t think it’s acceptable, the way they’re being forced to live in Iran. And what we want is very sim- — it’s got to be non-nuclear. It’s got to be non-nuclear. We’re going to talk about ballistic missiles. We’re going to talk about timing. We’re going to talk about the length of the agreement, which, as you know, it expires in a very short period of time.

I mean, the agreement that President Obama made expires in a very short period of time. What kind of agreement is that? He paid $150 billion for a short-term agreement. He’d like to have $150 billion for a short — he’ll do — he’ll do that deal.

Plus, he gave them $1.8 billion in cash. Where’s your finance minister? Finance minister? Which one?

MINISTER SHOUKRY: Not here, but I’ll —

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Okay, explain to him, one hundred — $1.8 billion in cash. Will you take it? Egypt will take it.

Q Mr. President, what’s the next step, then, with Iran, from your perspective?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, we’ll see what happens. You know, it’s all very new. They’re under a lot of financial stress. We put sanctions. Secretary of the Treasury is here right now. And he’s, really, very expert at what he does. And he’s done a very effective job.

They used to say that — look, we are the largest economy, by far, in the world. When I became President, we were heading to be the second largest. China was going to overtake us. Not going to happen. Not going to happen anytime, I’ll tell you, when I’m here. Can’t happen.

We’ve picked up $20 trillion in worth. And China has lost $20-, $25-, $30 trillion in worth. We’re now almost double the size the economy.

If I hadn’t won, our economy now would have been overtaken by China. And all these clowns that are sitting on television that have been running this government for many years, that have been taken to the cleaners by China, they’re all sitting there saying, “Well, I don’t think the President is negotiating properly.” They don’t know what they’re talking about.

I have great respect for the fact that China called; they want to make a deal. I have great respect. And I have great respect for President Xi. And I think we’re going to have a deal because now we’re dealing on proper terms. They understand, and we understand. But that’s a great thing that happened.

And they want to get something done. Now, maybe it won’t get done, but this is the first time I’ve seen them where they really do want to make a deal. And I think that’s a very positive step.

 Q But with regard to Iran?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: And as far as Iran is concerned, that was with great respect. And I spoke to President Macron yesterday, and I knew everything he was doing, and I approved whatever he was doing. And I thought it was fine. And I think it’s too soon to meet. I didn’t want to meet. I said, “I don’t want to meet right now.” But it’s soon going to be time to meet with Iran, and it’s going to be a great thing for Iran. They have a great potential.

Iran has great potential. And you know who else has great potential? North Korea. Kim Jong Un. And under his leadership, North Korea has great potential. And I don’t think North Korea wants to blow it. Because if they blow it, it won’t be good.

Q You didn’t want to meet with Zarif, but did you send a message to him on Iran at all?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: I don’t want to comment on that. I can’t comment on that.

Q Are you considering French wine tariffs, Mr. President? Is that a possibility?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Am I going to tariff French wine?

Q Yes.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, it depends on the deal we work out on the digital tax.

Q And what’s the status of that, sir?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: We’re negotiating right now.

Q And on Iran, sir, are you willing to waive oil sanctions in order to get Iran to the table?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: I’m not going to tell you what I’m willing to do. But Iran has a chance to really build themselves up and be a very great nation — greater than before. But they have to stop terrorism. That is your number-one nation of terror. Now, not in the last year and half, two years, because they can’t spend like they used to spend.

They took President Obama’s $150 billion and they doled it out to terrorists all over the place. I think they’re going to change. I really do. I believe they have a chance to be a very special nation. I hope that’s true.

Q Mr. President, can you speak about the trade deal with Japan? Many are commenting that the Japanese Prime Minister seemed less enthusiastic than you. Can you ensure that he’s actually onboard with this?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, you have to understand, he’s a friend of mine, one of my closest friends. In this world, he’s one of my closest friends.

They send us millions and millions of cars; they have for many years. They’re essentially not taxed. So they send them in from Japan. They’re essentially not taxed. And my first step with Japan was to say, “You have to move car companies into the United States.” And they did. Many car companies are now operating plants in the United States and building plants in the United States. Because we have had, over the years, a tremendous trade deficit with Japan.

But we have a lot of cards with Japan. Number one is my relationship with Prime Minister Abe. So I don’t think we have to use the cards. But the ultimate card is they send us millions and millions of cars. Essentially, it’s 2.5 percent, but there’s ways of getting around it. Essentially, non-tariff, free. Now, if I won’t to put tariffs on those cars, I’d make so much money for this country, your head would spin.

So, yeah, he’s going to make the deal. I feel pretty certain about that. That’s what I do. We have cards.

That’s a thing people didn’t understand. He knew this a long time ago. We have the cards. We’re the big piggybank that everybody has been robbing for 35 years. We have all the cards. But we never played them because we never had a President that understood this. And we never had an administration or trade negotiators that understood it.

Q Are you planning to eventually take off the 2.5 percent auto tax?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Nobody has ever asked me that question but you. Why would I do that? Tell me. Why?

Okay? Thank you very much. Thank you. We’ll be having a press conference.

END

9:11 A.M. CEST

***************************************************************

August 26, 2019

Readout of President Donald J. Trump’s Meeting with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt at the G7 Summit in Biarritz, France

Today, President Donald J. Trump met with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt in Biarritz, France. The two leaders discussed the crisis in Libya. They expressed their shared support for a stable, unified, and democratic Libya, able to stand on its own against terrorism and to deliver security and prosperity for all Libyans. 

Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Angolan Foreign Minister Manuel Augusto


Photo: State Department

Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC
August 19, 2019

The statement below is attributable to Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus:‎

Secretary Michael R. Pompeo met today with Angolan Foreign Minister Manuel Augusto in Washington, D.C.  The Secretary reaffirmed the strength of the U.S.-Angola strategic partnership and welcomed the bold reforms that President João Lourenço has undertaken since taking office in 2017.  The two conferred on ways to increase bilateral trade and investment and strengthen democratic institutions.

Sec. Pompeo Calls Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry


File Photo

Secretary Pompeo’s Call with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry
08/19/2019 01:54 PM EDT

Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC
August 19, 2019

The statement below is attributable to Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus:

Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke today with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. He pledged continued bilateral cooperation in the fight against ISIS and al-Qaida. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister shared concern over prolonged violence and instability in Libya, and agreed on the need to achieve a political solution to the conflict. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister also discussed the strong U.S.-Egypt partnership and important regional security issues.

Under Sec. Hale Meets Sudan’s General Abdel Fattah el-Burhan

Photo: State Department

Under Secretary for Political Affairs David Hale’s Meeting with Transitional Military Council Chairman Abdel Fattah el-Burhan of Sudan

Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC

08/08/2019 03:40 PM EDT

The statement below is attributable to Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus:‎

Under Secretary for Political Affairs David Hale met yesterday with Sudan’s Transitional Military Council Chairman, General Abdel Fattah el-Burhan.  They discussed the need for swift formation of a civilian-led transitional government in line with the recently-agreed political and constitutional documents, which the United States supports.  The Under Secretary noted that the transitional government has a significant mandate to end internal conflicts, pursue economic reforms, credibly investigate recent acts of violence, prepare a new constitution, and organize free and fair elections.

The interlocutors agreed that success will be critical to advancing the interests of both of our countries.

The United States remains a steadfast partner to the Sudanese people in their pursuit of a civilian-led government that will advance peace, security, and prosperity.

Under Sec. Hale Meets Sudanese Women and Youth Leaders




Under Secretary for Political Affairs David Hale’s Meeting with Sudanese Women and Youth Leaders
08/08/2019 01:47 PM EDT

Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC

August 8, 2019

Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale met with Sudanese women and youth leaders on August 7th. The Under Secretary commended these individuals for their crucial and courageous role in moving Sudan towards a civilian-led transitional government and urged them to continue their persistent and peaceful engagement. The Under Secretary noted that women are integral to achieving peace and security in Sudan, and emphasized that inclusion in Sudan’s civilian-led transitional government would help ensure that women’s participation in Sudan’s transition to democracy will be substantive and representative. He stated that America will work with Sudanese women in these efforts in line with America’s strategy on Women, Peace, and Security. Under Secretary Hale also emphasized U.S. support for incorporating the strong voices of Sudan’s youth in shaping Sudan’s political future.

Under Sec. Hale Meets Kenyan Principal Sec. Macharia Kamau


Under Sec. Hale and Principal Sec. Kamau
Photo: U.S. Embassy, Kenya

Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC
08/06/2019 05:43 PM EDT

Under Secretary for Political Affairs David Hale’s Meeting with Kenyan Principal Secretary Macharia Kamau

The following statement is attributable to Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus:

Under Secretary for Political Affairs David Hale met today with Kenya Ministry of Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Ambassador Macharia Kamau and Head of Public Service Dr. Joseph Kinyua in Nairobi, Kenya. The meetings followed the inaugural Bilateral Strategic Dialogue, which took place May 7-8, 2019 in Washington. The Under Secretary reaffirmed that the new U.S.-Kenya strategic partnership is grounded in mutual cooperation, shared values, and common vision. The two sides explored ways to deepen trade and investment ties, while enhancing security and multilateral cooperation. Under Secretary Hale emphasized the importance of concluding pending U.S. investment deals and making progress in the Trade and Investment Working Group. The discussion also covered shared goals for regional security and stability. The Under Secretary looked forward to deepening cooperation in the realms of defense, security and governance, and the newly-established Kenya Coast Guard Service.

Under Sec. Hale’s Travel to Somalia, Kenya, and Sudan




Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC
August 5, 2019

Under Secretary for Political Affairs David Hale will travel to Somalia, Kenya, and Sudan from August 5-7, 2019. His trip will advance America’s commitment to peace and security in the Horn of Africa and commercial interests in the region.

Under Secretary Hale visited Mogadishu on August 5 and met with senior officials from the Federal Government of Somalia and the United Nations to discuss the political, security, and economic reform agenda.

On August 6, Under Secretary Hale will pay tribute to the victims of the August 7, 1998, embassy bombings in a commemoration ceremony in Nairobi. He will also meet with senior government officials to further promote our bilateral relationship in the areas of economic and security cooperation.

He will be in Khartoum on August 7 to meet with representatives from the Transitional Military Council and Forces for Freedom and Change, along with civil society actors, including women and youth, who were in the forefront demanding change in Sudan. He will encourage full and timely implementation of the agreements reached on July 17, and August 4, to create a civilian-led transitional government, and underscore our expectation that the transitional government will reflect the will of the Sudanese people.

Asst. Sec. Nagy Travels to Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal




Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC
August 2, 2019

Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Tibor Nagy will travel to Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal August 2-9, 2019. In Côte d’Ivoire, he will participate in the 2019 African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum, where he will meet with women entrepreneurs, civil society representatives, business leaders, youth, and government officials from across the continent. He will also deliver remarks at the closing plenary session of the Forum. While in Senegal, Assistant Secretary Nagy will promote expanded trade and investment opportunities during his engagements with U.S. companies and Senegalese business representatives. The Assistant Secretary will also meet with senior government officials, members of civil society, and alumni of U.S. exchange programs.

United States and Côte d’Ivoire to Co-host the 2019 AGOA Forum in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire




Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC
August 2, 2019

The United States and Côte d’Ivoire will co-host the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire from August 4-6.

The Forum will bring together senior government officials from the United States and the 39 AGOA-eligible sub-Saharan African countries to discuss ways to boost economic cooperation and trade between the United States and Africa. Regional Economic Communities, the private sector, and civil society will also participate.

The theme of this year’s Forum is “AGOA and the Future: Developing a New Trade Paradigm to Guide U.S.-Africa Trade and Investment.” The 2019 Forum will explore new tools that both the U.S. and African governments have developed over the past year and how to use them most effectively. It will also highlight the important role played by women, youth, civil society, and the private sector in promoting trade, expanding economic growth, and generating prosperity.

Representatives from the private sector, civil society, the U.S.-sponsored African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP), and the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) have organized AGOA Private Sector and Civil Society Forums for August 4. The AGOA Forum Ministerial will follow August 5-6, bringing together senior government officials from the United States and the current 39 African beneficiary countries. A trade exhibition will run throughout the official program.

The U.S. delegation will be led by Deputy U.S. Trade Representative C.J. Mahoney and includes Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Tibor Nagy, as well as senior officials from the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Energy, Labor, Transportation, Treasury, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, as well as the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the United States African Development Foundation. A bipartisan Congressional delegation will also participate in the forum.

The African Growth and Opportunity Act, which enhances access to the U.S. market for most products of qualifying sub-Saharan African countries, has been the cornerstone of the U.S. government’s trade policy with sub-Saharan Africa since 2000. The law mandates that each year a special Forum be convened to discuss issues related to the implementation of the law and issues of economic cooperation and trade in general. The Forum location alternates between the United States and Africa. Previous AGOA Forum hosts include Mauritius, Ghana, Senegal, Kenya, Zambia, Ethiopia, Gabon, and Togo.

U.S. Grant Boosts Security at Senegal Airport


U.S. Ambassador Tulinabo Mushingi using the body scan
Photo: U.S. Embassy, Senegal


Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC
August 1, 2019

Department of State Equipment Grant Boosts Security at Senegal Airport
08/01/2019 09:46 AM EDT

U.S. and Senegalese officials today inaugurated two body scanners and four explosives trace detectors at the passenger checkpoint for outbound flights inside Blaise Diagne International Airport, about 25 miles east of the Senegalese capital of Dakar. The U.S. Department of State’s Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) program provided the equipment with funding and guidance from the Bureau of Counterterrorism.

The equipment grant, worth more than $800,000, is the latest component of a broader aviation security-enhancement program provided to the Government of Senegal by ATA that totals $1.4 million. This past spring, ATA delivered mentoring and training in airport security management and airport patrol management to civil and law enforcement authorities from the seven agencies responsible for Senegal’s airport and aviation security. Conducted in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the ATA training focused on maintaining and improving the airport’s security in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization and TSA standards.

The ATA program has been delivering counterterrorism training in Senegal since 1985.The airport security training and equipment program further cements our relationship and underscores the continued close partnership that the United States has with Senegal, which has emerged as a leader in the fight against terrorism in West Africa.

About the Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) Program

Established in 1983, the Department of State’s Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) program is the U.S. Government’s premier counterterrorism training and equipment provider for foreign law enforcement agencies. All ATA assistance is delivered within a rule-of-law framework that promotes respect for human rights and fosters development of a self-sustaining capability through best practices such as embedded mentors and train-the-trainer programs.

ATA receives funding and policy guidance from the Bureau of Counterterrorism and is administered by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security’s Training Directorate.

ATA builds the critical counterterrorism capabilities of law enforcement partners abroad with both knowledge-enhancing training courses and tactical skills development to detect, deter, and disrupt terrorist activities. With its cutting-edge curriculum and equipment grants, the ATA program contributes greatly to the security of our nation, our partners worldwide, and overall international peace and stability.

U.S. Designates Zimbabwe’s Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe

Photo: Mbare Times

Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC
August 1, 2019

Public Designation of Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe under Section 7031(c) of the FY 2019 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act
08/01/2019 08:25 AM EDT

The Secretary of State is publicly designating Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe, former Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army’s Presidential Guard Brigade and current Ambassador Designate of Zimbabwe to Tanzania, under Section 7031(c) of the FY 2019 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act (Div. F, P.L. 116-6), due to his involvement in gross violations of human rights. Section 7031(c) provides that, in cases where the Secretary of State has credible information that foreign officials have been involved in significant corruption or a gross violation of human rights, those individuals and their immediate family members are ineligible for entry into the United States.The Department has credible information that Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe was involved in the violent crackdown against unarmed Zimbabweans during post-election protests on August 1, 2018 that resulted in six civilian deaths.

The law also requires the Secretary of State to publicly or privately designate such officials and immediate family members. In addition to the designation of Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe, the Department is also publicly designating his spouse, Chido Machona.

To date, the Government of Zimbabwe has held no member of the security forces accountable for the acts of violence committed against Zimbabweans on August 1, 2018. Furthermore, there has been no accountability for the excessive use of force by Zimbabwean security forces on civilians in January and February this year, which reportedly resulted in at least 13 deaths, 600 victims of violence, torture or rape, and more than 1,000 arrests. We again call on Zimbabwean authorities to hold accountable those officials responsible for human rights violations and abuses in Zimbabwe.

The White House Announces Actions to Combat Violence in Mali




Press Statement
Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State
July 26, 2019

Today, President Trump signed an executive order to address the deteriorating security situation in Mali. Extremist groups are exploiting ethnic tensions and expanding their networks well outside Mali’s borders.

The UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) has faced more violence and danger than any other peacekeeping mission in UN history. We commend the difficult work these peacekeepers and their partners do in the region. The signatory parties to the 2015 peace accord both government and armed groups have made distressingly little headway in implementing key components of the accord that could move Mali toward broader peace and tackle many of the grievances that push Malian citizens toward violence.

The Presidents executive order will freeze assets and suspend travel for individuals or entities that seek to undermine the peace, security, or stability of Mali. The United States will continue to work with its partners and the UN’s Mali Sanctions Committee to identify those who seek to capitalize on instability or maintain the status quo rather than work towards peace, and make them subject to the full effect of sanctions.

U.S. Delegation Attends Inauguration of Mauritania’s President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani

Photo: Oeil d’Afrique

Office of the Press Secretary
The White House
July 25, 2019

President Donald J. Trump Announces Presidential Delegation to Attend the Presidential Inauguration of His Excellency Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania

Today, President Donald J. Trump announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to Nouakchott, Mauritania, to attend the Inauguration of His Excellency Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani on August 1, 2019.

Mr. John Deaver Alexander III, Senior Advisor for Energy, Overseas Private Investment Corporation, will lead the delegation.

Member of the Presidential Delegation:

The Honorable Michael J. Dodman, United States Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania

U.S. Reacts to the Passing of Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi




Office of the Press Secretary
The White House
Washington, DC
July 25, 2019

Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding the Passing of President Beji Caid Essebsi of the Republic of Tunisia

President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump join the Tunisian people in mourning the passing of their beloved President, Beji Caid Essebsi. President Caid Essebsi was a tireless advocate for the Tunisian people. The President and First Lady join many around the world in remembering his tremendous leadership and honoring his great legacy as the first democratically elected president of Tunisia after its 2011 revolution. The President and First Lady’s prayers are with President Caid Essebsi’s family at this difficult time.

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Michael R. Pompeo
Secretary of State
July 25, 2019

On behalf of the Government of the United States, I offer my heartfelt condolences to the people of Tunisia on the passing of President Beji Caid Essebsi.

President Caid Essebsi was the first democratically elected president of Tunisia after its 2011 revolution, and his tenure as president was the capstone to a long and distinguished career of public service to the Republic of Tunisia. President Caid Essebsi was a close friend and valued partner of the United States as we worked together to strengthen Tunisia’s democratic institutions and guarantee the security of its citizens. President Caid Essebsi spent his life advocating for equality and freedoms for the Tunisian people and promoting peace and stability across the region.

Please accept our deepest sympathy and reassurances as the United States stands with Tunisia during this time of national mourning.


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Office of the Press Secretary
The White House
Washington, DC
July 26, 2019

President Donald J. Trump Announces Presidential Delegation to Tunis, Tunisia, to Attend the Funeral of His Excellency Beji Caid Essebsi, President of the Republic of Tunisia


Today, President Donald J. Trump announced a Presidential Delegation to Tunis, Tunisia, to attend the funeral of His Excellency Beji Caid Essebsi, President of the Republic of Tunisia on July 27, 2019.

Mr. T. Ulrich Brechbühl, Counselor of the United States Department of State, will lead the delegation.

Members of the Presidential Delegation:

*  The Honorable Donald A. Blome, United States Ambassador to the Republic of Tunisia

*  United States Air Force Lt. Gen. James C. Vechery, Deputy to the Commander for Military Operations, United States Africa Command

2019 Summit of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders


Assistant Secretary of State Marie Royce poses with a few of the summit participants 
Photo: U.S. State Department


Summit of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders
07/25/2019 04:47 PM EDT

Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC
July 25, 2019

Nearly 700 young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa, chosen from more than 38,000 applicants, will meet with U.S. government officials, civil society and private sector leaders at the State Department-sponsored Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit from July 29-31 in Washington D.C. at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. The Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit fosters and builds relationships that support and expand U.S.-Africa cooperation.

The kickoff to the summit will include remarks from Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson and Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Marie Royce, followed by a keynote speech from Kay Coles James, President of The Heritage Foundation. The Summit will feature a Policy Spotlight Plenary with Assistant Secretary of African Affairs Tibor Nagy, breakout sessions with senior U.S. government officials on a range of U.S. foreign policy priorities throughout Africa, such as advancing trade to increase prosperity, short presentations by the Fellows themselves, and will close with Malawian innovator, engineer, and author, William Kamkwamba. The young African leaders are convening in Washington after six weeks of academic study and leadership training at 27 higher education institutions across the United States as part of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.

Alumni of the Fellowship continue to play a key role in strengthening democratic institutions, spurring economic growth, and enhancing peace and security in Africa. The Mandela Washington Fellowship is the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), a key element in the United States’ effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders.

Saturday, October 19, 2019

2 Africans Among 2019 International Religious Freedom Award Recipients


U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo poses for a photo with the 2019 International Religious Freedom Award Recipients (L to R) William Warda, Pascale Warda, Ivanir dos Santos, Mohamed Yosaif Abdalrahan and Salpy Eskidjian Weiderud 
Photo: U.S. State Department


Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC
July 16, 2019

On July 17, Secretary Pompeo will host the State Department’s first-ever International Religious Freedom Awards ceremony to honor extraordinary advocates of religious freedom from around the world at 6:00 p.m.

The full biographies of the 2019 awardees can be found here and their names are listed below:
  • Mohamed Yosaif Abdalrahan of Sudan has worked tirelessly to defend the rights of Sudan’s religious minorities, both in his legal casework and through public advocacy.
  • Imam Abubakar Abdullahi of Nigeria selflessly risked his own life to save members of another religious community, who would have likely been killed without his intervention.
  • Ivanir dos Santos of Brazil worked exhaustively to support interfaith dialogue, combat discrimination, and create mechanisms for the protection of vulnerable groups.
  • William and Pascale Warda of Iraq have devoted their lives to advancing religious freedom and other human rights causes in Iraq.
  • Salpy Eskidjian Weiderud of Cyprus has fully committed herself to working with religious leaders, faith-based organizations, and religious communities on a broad range of issues, including religious freedom. She is also one of the architects and facilitators of an unprecedented peacebuilding initiative in Cyprus known as the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process under the Auspices of the Embassy of Sweden based in Nicosia, Cyprus.

Mohamed Yosaif Abdalrahan
Sudanese Human Rights Activist
Sudan

Mohamed Yosaif Abdalrahan is a human rights lawyer at the Sudanese Human Rights Initiative (SHRI).  He has worked tirelessly to defend the rights of Sudan’s religious minorities, both in his legal casework and through public advocacy.  At SHRI, Mohamed leads and develops advocacy campaigns to strengthen legal protections for minority religious communities and to end the government’s property confiscations targeting religious minorities.  He has organized trainings on human rights and journalism, women’s rights, and rights awareness for young Sudanese citizens. Through his legal practice, he has defended minority religious leaders targeted for arrest on specious charges following government interference in their activities.  A member of Sudan’s Muslim majority, Mohamed has become a trusted ally of minority communities and has helped them navigate the country’s complex judicial system, deploying his strong technical knowledge in international human rights law and Sudanese constitutional law, and his outstanding dedication to use the law as a force for good. Mohamed’s tireless defense of religious minorities in Sudan is evidence of his work as a true champion of religious freedom.

Imam Abubakar Abdullahi
Faith leader
Nigeria

Imam Abubakar Abdullahi selflessly risked his own life to save members of another religious community, who would have likely been killed without his intervention.  On June 23, 2018, ethnic Fulani herdsmen, who are predominantly Muslim, launched coordinated attacks on 10 villages in Barkin Ladi, killing hundreds of ethnic Berom farmers, who are predominantly Christian.  As Imam Abdullahi was finishing midday prayers, he and his congregation heard gunshots and went outside to see members of the town’s Christian community fleeing.  Instinctively, the Imam ushered 262 Christians into the mosque and his home next to the mosque.  The Imam then went outside to confront the gunmen and he refused to allow them to enter, pleading with them to spare the Christians inside, even offering to sacrifice his life for theirs.  Although the gunmen killed 84 people in Nghar village that day, Imam Abdullahi’s actions saved the lives of hundreds more.  Born in Bauchi State around 1936, the Imam has lived in Nghar for 60 years and led the Muslim community through the mosque, which was built on land provided by the Christian community.  Imam Abdullahi’s courage in the face of imminent danger and his history of outreach across religious divides demonstrates his lifelong commitment to promoting interfaith understanding and peace.

Under Sec. Hale Meets Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khayre

Under Secretary David Hale and Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kyayre 
Photo: Horn Diplomat

Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC

Under Secretary for Political Affairs David Hale Meeting with Somali Prime Minister Hassan 
Ali Khayre

08/05/2019 03:52 PM EDT

The following statement is attributable to Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus:

Under Secretary for Political Affairs David Hale met today with Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khayre in Mogadishu, Somalia. The Under Secretary reaffirmed America’s commitment to assist Somalia with political reform, economic development, and stabilization efforts.

The Prime Minster briefed the Under Secretary on recent political and security developments and Somalia’s progress towards meeting the conditions for debt relief that would allow Somalia to resume borrowing from international financial institutions. The Under Secretary expressed our expectation of a peaceful and credible election in the Somali federal member state of Jubaland later this month, and encouraged progress to allow one-person, one-vote Somali national elections beginning next year.

They agreed on the value of security operations to liberate areas from al-Shabaab and preparing Somali forces to take over from the African Union Mission to Somalia.

U.S. Imposes Visa Restrictions on Nigerians Undermining the Democratic Process



Imposing Visa Restrictions on Nigerians Responsible for Undermining the Democratic Process

Press Statement
Morgan Ortagus
Department of State Spokesperson
July 23, 2019

The United States is a steadfast supporter of Nigerian democracy. We commend all those Nigerians who participated peacefully in the February and March 2019 elections and have worked to strengthen Nigerian democratic institutions and processes. As Nigeria marks the twentieth anniversary of a return to democratic rule this year, we remain committed to working together to continue to advance democracy and respect for human rights and achieve greater peace and prosperity for both our nations. We condemn those whose acts of violence, intimidation, or corruption harmed Nigerians or undermined the democratic process.

In a January 24 statement, the U.S. government said that we would consider consequences – including visa restrictions – for individuals responsible for undermining the Nigerian democratic process or for organizing election-related violence. To that end, the Secretary of State is imposing visa restrictions on Nigerians believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Nigeria. These individuals have operated with impunity at the expense of the Nigerian people and undermined democratic principles and human rights.

The Department of State emphasizes that the actions announced today are specific to certain individuals and not directed at the Nigerian people or the newly elected government. This decision reflects the Department of State’s commitment to working with the Nigerian government to realize its expressed commitment to end corruption and strengthen democracy, accountability, and respect for human rights.

Sec. Pompeo Meets Tunisian Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui

Photo: State Department


Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC
July 16, 2019

The statement below is attributable to Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus:‎

Secretary Michael R. Pompeo met today in Washington, D.C., with Tunisian Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui as part of the third U.S.-Tunisia Strategic Dialogue. Secretary Pompeo discussed U.S. shared counterterrorism objectives with Tunisia and expressed his support for ongoing efforts to increase bilateral trade and investment. Secretary Pompeo congratulated Foreign Minister Jhinaoui on Tunisia’s election to the UN Security Council and expressed appreciation for the Foreign Minister’s participation in the second Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom.

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Newest African Ambassador Presents Letters of Credence at White House


Photo: The White House

AMIP News
Washington, DC
August 9, 2018

On July 8, 2018, Niger’s new Ambassador to the United States – His Excellency Abdallah Wafy – presented his Letters of Credence to President Trump at an Ambassador Credentialing Ceremony in the Oval Office at the White House.

The presentation of credentials is a traditional ceremony that marks the formal beginning of an Ambassador’s service in Washington.


Ambassador Wafy obtained his master’s degree in law from the Université du Bénin, Togo and graduated from the Ecole nationale supérieure de police in France. He held a range of high-ranking positions in the Government of Niger, including as Senior Security Adviser to the Minister for Interior, Public Safety and Decentralization; Inspector General of Police; Special Security Adviser to the President; and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Libya and Permanent Representative of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States in Tripoli.

Prior to this appointment, Wafy served as Deputy Special Representative for the Rule of Law in the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) ad interim since September 2012. He was also the missions’s Police Commissioner. He was with the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (ONUCI) from 2006 to 2007, and was Deputy Head of the Police component of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) in 2009.

He is married and has five children.

Ambassador Nathan A. Sales to Travel to Nairobi, Kenya

File Photo

Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC
July 8, 2019

Ambassador Nathan A. Sales, the State Department’s Coordinator for Counterterrorism, will travel during the week of July 8th to Nairobi, Kenya, where he will address the United Nations African Regional High-Level Conference on Counter-Terrorism and the Prevention of Violent Extremism Conducive to Terrorism. Ambassador Sales will also engage in bilateral discussions with Kenyan counterparts on global and regional efforts to defeat al-Qaida and ISIS, border security and curtailing terrorist travel, countering radicalization and recruitment, and combating terrorist finance.

U.S. Issues Statement on July 5 Agreement in Sudan



Press Statement
Morgan Ortagus
Department of State Spokesperson
July 6, 2019

The United States government welcomes the progress in negotiations which we hope will lead to the establishment of a civilian-led transitional government that is broadly acceptable to the Sudanese people.  We commend the mediators from the African Union and Ethiopia for their ongoing efforts.
The agreement between the Forces for Freedom and Change and the Transitional Military Council to establish a sovereign council is an important step forward.  We look forward to immediate resumption of access to the internet, establishment of the new legislature, accountability for the violent suppression of peaceful protests, and progress toward free and fair elections.
Special Envoy for Sudan Don Booth will continue to support the African Union/Ethiopia-led mediation process and will be returning to the region soon.

Security Working Group of the U.S.-Morocco Strategic Dialogue

Photo: State Department


Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC
July 3, 2019

On July 3, 2019, the United States and Morocco convened a working group of the U.S.-Morocco Strategic Dialogue in Washington, D.C., in order to expand our existing security cooperation efforts.
Ambassador Nathan A. Sales, the Coordinator for Counterterrorism, co-chaired the meeting with Director of the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation’s Global Affairs Department, Ismail Chekkori, in the presence of Her Highness Princess Lalla Joumala, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United States of America.

Delegations from the United States and Morocco reaffirmed their ongoing commitment to strengthening counterterrorism cooperation and discussed the evolving nature of efforts to defeat ISIS and other terrorist groups in Africa. They discussed the urgent need for all countries to repatriate foreign terrorist fighters from Syria and prosecute them for the crimes they have committed.

The delegations agreed to build on ongoing initiatives to fight terrorism, including countering threats from terrorist ideology. The two sides also reaffirmed their interest in strengthening border security and countering terrorist travel, and discussed international cooperation in trade controls and nonproliferation frameworks, including the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism and the Proliferation Security Initiative.

The Working Group concluded with a renewed commitment to improving law enforcement and justice sector cooperation and fighting cyber-crime, as well as in prison management, crisis management, and justice sector reforms.

U.S. Issues Statement on Attack in Libya




Press Statement
Morgan Ortagus
Department of State Spokesperson
July 3, 2019

The United States strongly condemns the abhorrent attack on a migrant detention facility in Tajoura, Libya, which reportedly killed 44 and injured more than 100 innocent civilians. We extend our deepest condolences to families of those killed and wish a speedy recovery to those injured. This tragic and needless loss of life, which impacted one of the most vulnerable populations, underscores the urgent need for all Libyan parties to de-escalate fighting in Tripoli and return to the political process, which is the only viable path to lasting peace and stability in Libya.

The Enduring Partnership Between the United States and South Africa

Photo: U.S Embassy, South Africa

As Prepared

Thank you Deputy Vice Chancellor Vilakazi for the introduction.  I’m grateful to you and to everyone at Wits University and the African Centre for the Study of the United States for hosting today’s event.
And thanks to all of you here today for this wonderful welcome to South Africa.  I know many of you are still reflecting on yesterday’s State of the Nation Address and that the rest are probably thinking about how today is the last day of exams.  Having served in both government and academia, I can sympathize with you all.  So thank you again for coming today; I’m thrilled to be here.

I spent most of my 32-year career as an American diplomat on this continent, and I was fortunate to serve in Ethiopia, Guinea, Nigeria, Cameroon, Togo, Zambia, and the Seychelles.

The world, including Africa, has changed dramatically from when I became a diplomat in 1978.

When I first set foot on the continent, there were no cellphones, no internet, few television stations, and to call back to America from Lusaka required booking a slot days ahead to reserve one of the few international lines available at that time.

Today, modern technology has changed all that.  Mobile messenger apps effortlessly connect people in Africa and around the world; and last year when my grandson was born right here in South Africa, so far from home, I was incredibly grateful for the gift of real time communication!

Since I assumed my current role last September, this is my fourth trip to Africa.

These trips provide me the opportunity to meet with government officials, business leaders, civil society, and Africa’s dynamic youth to hear a range of views and discuss concrete ways to strengthen cooperation.

So today, I am truly excited to speak to you about the enduring relationship between the United States and the countries of Africa, especially South Africa.

Specifically, I want to talk about the U.S. government’s policy priorities in Africa and how we are working with partners like South Africa to achieve our common goals.

Our engagement in Africa is driven largely by four guiding principles:
  • First, the United States is interested in promoting stronger trade and business ties between Africa and America, to the benefit of the people of both.
  • Second, we must harness the potential of Africa’s tremendous youth population to drive Africa’s economic growth and create real prosperity.
  • Third, we must continue to advance peace and security across the continent.
  • Fourth, I am here today to reinforce that America has an unwavering commitment to Africa. No country in the world can match the depth and breadth of America’s long engagement with the people of Africa.
The United States greatly values its partnership with South Africa as the democratic and economic leader on the world’s fastest growing continent.

Nevertheless, South Africa faces some tough choices as it seeks to increase economic growth and come to grips with how best to manage and reform struggling state-owned enterprises.  I would be remiss to play down the challenges you face.  At the same time, we do not view these challenges as obstacles but an opportunity for closer cooperation.

This U.S. interest in deepening trade and investment ties with South Africa extends throughout the region, as well as the continent.

With the strong backing of the Trump Administration, our Congress recently passed legislation called the BUILD Act.

This law doubles the U.S. government’s investment capital from $29 billion to $60 billion and offers promising opportunities for more U.S. direct investment in Africa.

This new legislation will enable the U.S. government to make equity investments in African companies, and we hope to use these resources to unlock billions in private capital from the United States.

Our government also recently unveiled the “Prosper Africa” Initiative.  Prosper Africa is an ambitious effort to significantly increase two-way trade in goods and investment between America and Africa.

Prosper Africa will help us expand the number of commercial deals between U.S. and African counterparts and promote better business climates and financial markets on the continent.

U.S. companies are investing in President Ramaphosa’s goal of raising 100 billion U.S. dollars in new investments over five years.

At last October’s investment conference in Johannesburg, U.S. companies including McDonalds and Procter and Gamble announced large new investments, Microsoft announced it would build three data centers, and Amazon unveiled plans for a cloud-computing hub.

Most recently, United Airlines announced a new, non-stop flight to Cape Town from the United States, complementing flights by Delta Air Lines to Johannesburg.

Regionally, we are similarly excited to see U.S. energy companies interested in investment opportunities in Namibia, production facilities in Eswatini, and agriculture in Angola.  This is what U.S. commercial engagement in Africa looks like.

Our second priority is harnessing the potential of Africa’s youth population.  We have seen time and again that investing in education is the best way to invest in the future.

I saw this first-hand as Vice-Provost for International Affairs at Texas Tech University. Africa’s population is projected to double by 2050 to around 2.5 billion people, of which over 60 percent will be under the age of 25.

We must find ways to ensure the youth have the education and training that leads to enhanced employment opportunities.

Right here at Wits University, we have a great example of the U.S.-South African education partnership in the IBM Research Lab.  Just this year, U.S. Department of State Deputy Secretary Sullivan visited this Lab and was impressed with its capabilities and the potential for private-public partnerships to help solve pressing challenges in South Africa.

The Department of State has many programs to promote mentorship, networking, and career development for young people.

This includes, of course, the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI)/Mandela Washington Fellowship.  This year, 700 young African leaders from all across Sub-Saharan Africa were selected to participate in the program.  They are in the United States at this very moment for training and academic coursework, networking and mentoring at 27 top U.S. universities.  When they return home, they will join approximately 3,700 Fellowship alumni, including 258 South Africans to tackle key issues their countries face today.

In South Africa, alumni of U.S. government exchange programs have made great strides in a variety of important areas.  For example, Murendeni Mafumo became a Mandela Washington Fellow in 2014 as a scientist working in water purification and attended a program at Yale University.  Three years ago, he launched a social enterprise, Kusini Water, with a locally designed water purification system.  The system uses an activated carbon filter made from macadamia nut shells.

For every liter of water his company sells, they provide 20 liters of safe drinking water to communities that do not have access to clean water.  Murendeni is using his innovative work to bring systemic change in underserved communities.  He attended the Global Entrepreneurship Summit earlier this month to share his expertise with the international business community.

Ntsiki Biyela, an alumna of our African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program broke new ground as the country’s first female black winemaker.  Her incredible story from domestic worker to winemaker is even more impressive considering the marketing inroads she has made both here and abroad, including in the United States.

But an educated and innovative population is only possible with our third priority: advancing peace and stability.  The United States will continue to help our African allies build secure and resilient communities bolstered by capable and accountable security and defense institutions.  These institutions should help to foster an environment in which businesses can flourish and the aspirations of young Africans can be met.

We support South Africa’s contributions to peace and security in Africa.  Of note, with over 1,100 peacekeepers serving in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and elsewhere, South Africa ranks in the top 20 of force contributors to UN missions.  We greatly appreciate South Africa’s contributions and the participation of forces from other SADC countries, including Zambia and Malawi.

We would like to see our long-standing partnership with South Africa extend to other fora, especially multilateral bodies.  South Africa currently plays an important role as a member of the United Nations Security Council and a leader in the African Union.

We were also very pleased to see the positive role that SADC, the Southern African Development Community, played when Lesotho faced a security crisis.  SADC sent civilian and security reinforcements to support a neighbor in a time of need.  This is exactly the role we would like to see regional organizations play across Africa.

Finally, our fourth priority – our unwavering support of Africa – brings us full circle.
The United States offers a different model of engagement in Africa that is based on mutual respect, collaboration, sustainability, and transparency.  We don’t simply invest in Africa, we invest in African people.

We have walked side-by side with Africans for decades.  How so?

Through our programs like Power Africa, the Peace Corps, the President’s Malaria Initiative, and our signature HIV/AIDS program, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR.  These programs have provided electricity to towns and villages.

They have brought enthusiastic American volunteers to rural areas across Africa to focus on community-led health and education projects.  They have also saved lives that could have been lost to malaria and HIV/AIDS.

Since 2004, PEPFAR has invested over $6 billion in HIV programs here, partnering with hundreds of South African organizations (including right here at Wits!) and the Government of South Africa.

In the region, PEPFAR represents a significant part of our foreign assistance.

We are tremendously excited, therefore, that a number of countries in the region are on track to soon reach epidemic control.

Through PEPFAR and our National Institutes of Health, the United States supports pioneering biomedical research, including HIV vaccine trials.  Every day, American and South African scientists, researchers, and public health experts are working together to enhance HIV prevention and care and develop innovative approaches to HIV antiretroviral therapy service delivery.  There is no better way to demonstrate the U.S. commitment to Africa than through our investment in its most important resource – its people.

There is a Swahili proverb that says, “Unity is strength.  Division is weakness.”

That is true within a country, and it is true between countries.  As I said at the top of my remarks, I am visiting to listen, learn, and to find new arenas of cooperation.  On this latter point, I also come to reaffirm the United States’ unwavering commitment to Africa, and to South Africa.  We have and will continue to invest in people and build partnerships that promote better health, jobs, skills, education, opportunity, and security.

This is an exciting time to be in Africa.  The dynamism of Africa’s youth is apparent everywhere you look, and if governments, businesses, and educational institutions unite in nurturing this next generation, Africa’s future will be secured.  Africa is the dynamic continent of the future, and South Africa has proven itself a leader for other African nations to follow.

“Unity is strength.  Division is weakness.”

Let us take this proverb to heart and continue to work together with common vision and purpose to promote shared American and African prosperity and security.

Thank you.