Africa Update: Prez Obama, 2013 – Africa

Courtesy: Africa Update, June 2013 Issue
Office of Representative Karen Bass, Ranking Member
Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Affairs & Human Rights

In late May, the White House announced that President Obama will travel to sub-Saharan Africa for the first time since July 2009. It was announced the President and first family would visit Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania. This issue of the Africa Update and the following issue will briefly highlight each country on the President’s itinerary.

Senegal

The State Department credits Senegal with being “a regional, diplomatic, and economic partner” that shares “fundamental values and international goals with the United States.”

Senegal, situated in West Africa, is home to 13 million inhabitants and has been a symbol of democracy and tolerance on the continent since its independence from France in 1960. Members of the Socialist Party ruled for 40 years until 2000, when Senegalese Democratic Party leader Abdoulaye Wade won the presidential election. In the March 2012 elections, Macky Sall became President when the aging Wade conceded defeat–hailed as a rare example of a peaceful turnover of power on the continent.

With a gross national income per capita of $1070 and projected real GDP growth of 4.3 percent in 2013, Senegal is also viewed as one of the more stable economies in Africa. The Senegalese economy is heavily dependent on agricultural products with primary exports in fish, peanuts, petroleum products, phosphates, and cotton.

The moderate, majority Muslim state has strong bilateral relations with the United States and other Western states and has been a valuable regional partner in combating terrorism, narcotics trafficking, and piracy. France and the United States, respectively, are the largest donors of bilateral aid, but former President Wade also pursued economic relationships with India, China, and countries in the Middle East. Senegal has contributed to regional peace and stability by contributing troops to peacekeeping missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, and Liberia. The country has also mediated tensions between Sudan and Chad over events in Darfur.

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Africa Update on 50 Years of Africa Unity

Story & Picture Courtesy: Africa Update, June 2013 Issue
Office of Representative Karen Bass, Ranking Member
Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Affairs & Human Rights

On May 25, 2013, in Addis Ababa, heads of state and representatives from 54 African nations gathered to celebrate 50 years of efforts by African nations to reclaim their independence and to work toward a prosperous future for all of Africa’s people.

The Organization of African Unity, the predecessor to the African Union, was established in May 1963 with the specific aim to promote the unity and solidarity of African States; coordinate and intensify their efforts to achieve a better life for the peoples of Africa; defend their sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence; eradicate all forms of colonialism from Africa; and promote international cooperation.

The Organization of African Unity (OAU) was founded in the midst of decolonization struggles of the 1960s and supported liberation movements in their efforts to end foreign domination and apartheid. Through these efforts, the OAU successfully guided African nations through the process of achieving self-determination. The first 50 years, the organization focused on fostering solidarity and regional political integration.

Looking ahead, the Africa Union under the leadership of Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma now sets a target of a century of Africa’s renaissance – a period of growth, peace, stability, and development. AU leaders believe this renaissance will be achieved by modernizing infrastructure, increasing economic integration, and empowering youth and women. In her opening address to the delegates to Addis Ababa, Dr. Dlamini-Zuma stated that an imperative part of the renaissance is reclaiming the “African narrative—the narrative of our past, present and future—and to tell our own stories.”

U.S. Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman Travels To North Africa

Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC

June 10, 2013

Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman is in Libya, and will travel to Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria on June 10-16. During her trip to North Africa, Under Secretary Sherman will meet with government officials and civil society representatives to discuss a broad range of issues.

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Maryland & Ondo State In Southwestern Nigeria Sign Sister-State Agreement

Photo (c) AMIP News
Annapolis, Maryland
State House
Friday June 7, 2013

By Frederick Nnoma-Addison

Maryland and Ondo State, (South Western Nigeria) today signed an MOU to become Sister-States under the Maryland Sister-States Program.

Governor Martin O’Malley (Maryland) and Governor Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo) signed the agreement on behalf of their respective states at approximately 8:50am EST, at the Governor’s Reception Room of the State House, Annapolis. About 100 leaders from the diplomatic, business, academic, religious, development and nonprofit communities witnessed the ceremony. This historic event which had been in the works for at least two years, and had to be rescheduled twice in the past two months, was celebrated by the attendees with such excitement that Governor O’Malley remarked “I have never seen this many cameras in this room before.” Governor Mimiko’s delegation to the United States included the First Lady of Ondo State – Mrs. Olukemi Mimiko, who coincidentally celebrated her birthday that same day.

Before signing the documents, the two governors highlighted the importance of the common interests, aspirations and challenges of Marylanders and Ondo State citizens, to the partnership. In his remarks Governor O’Malley acknowledged the contributions of the 25,000 Nigerian-Americans in the state of Maryland. He congratulated Governor Mimiko for his transformational leadership in Ondo state and described him as “one of the most progressive governor’s in Nigeria”.

Governor Mimiko also expressed his gratitude to the governor and state of Maryland for the partnership and promised to work together for the mutually beneficial interests of both states and countries. “Certain things are common to Ondo State and Maryland; education, agriculture and our emphasis on the development of human capital. Our partnerships will forge along these strong pillars of our societies.”

After the ceremony, Ondo State became the 11th State under Maryland’s Sister-State Program, and the second in Africa. The two governors exchanged official gifts after the ceremony, all of them bearing symbols of Maryland and Ondo State.

According to the Office of the Secretary of State, the Maryland Sister-State program oversees an array of international exchanges promoting a balance of business, educational and cultural interests. It is chaired by the Secretary of State, steered by a devoted and spirited Advisory Board of Directors, and staffed by an army of citizen-volunteers. It was established in 1980 to provide a forum for the promotion of international cooperation and understanding. A full list of Maryland’s other sister states is available at the Office of the Secretary of State http://www.sos.state.md.us/international/MSSP.aspx

Some notable individuals who were instrumental in forging this MOU, and were present at the ceremony include the following:

* John P. McDonough – Secretary of State, Maryland
* Ambassador B.E. Archibong – Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Nigeria
* Remi Duyile – Special Assistant to Gov. Olusegun Mimiko, Diaspora Affairs
* Sylvester Okere – Chair, Maryland-Nigeria Sister State Executive Committee
* Elizabeth Hines – Director, Governor’s Commission of Community Initiatives
* Anna Yankova – Director, International Affairs, Office of the Secretary of State
* Iman Awad – Director, Administrative – Commission on Middle Eastern and African Affairs

Maryland prides herself in being one of the few U.S. states with a Governor’s Commission dedicated to African Affairs, aside other ethnic groups http://www.african.maryland.gov/ . The African Affairs Commission is a part of the Governor’s Commission of Community Initiatives.

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Secretary Kerry’s Statement on World Environment Day

Photo courtesy of www.sulabhenvis.nic.in

Department of State
Washington, DC

June 5, 2013

On World Environment Day, the United States proudly joins the community of nations in recognizing that the protection and sustainable use of our planet’s natural resources is fundamental to creating a safe, secure world for future generations. Perhaps most urgently, we are reminded that no one nation can do it alone. We welcome this year’s World Environment Day theme – Think.Eat.Save – with its focus on how our daily food choices and food waste impact the environment. Global cooperation remains crucial to preserving our forests and oceans, building sustainable communities, maintaining biodiversity, encouraging efficient food production and addressing climate change through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation to its impacts. Together, we have made enormous strides in fostering sustainable development and increasing environmental resiliency, and we endeavor to build on these achievements in the years to come. The need only grows more urgent each day. The protection of our planet is a shared responsibility, and it is up to all of us to pursue sustainable policies and practices every day.

Burkina Faso’s Minata Kone Honored As International Exchange Alumni Member Of The Month

Photo courtesy of State Department

Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC

June 3, 2013

The U.S. Department of State has selected Minata Kone of Burkina Faso as June’s International Exchange Alumni Member of the Month. Throughout June, Kone’s inspiring leadership as a female West African entrepreneur will be recognized on the International Exchange Alumni website, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ official website for the more than one million Department-sponsored exchange alumni worldwide. Recognizing alumni are a vital voice in promoting our foreign policy goals, the Alumni Affairs Division confers this award on an outstanding alumnus or alumna who positively build on their exchange experiences.

Kone, an alumna of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program 2012 African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP), which emphasizes women’s access to economic opportunities, elevated the role of women in her community. Her motivation and determination has served as an example for girls to continue their education. Living the mission of AWEP, Kone defied the norms of male-dominated Sub-Saharan Africa and built a thriving cashew business. Not satisfied with simply owning her own business, Kone overcame the logistical difficulties of operating in a developing country to secure a contract as a cashew supplier to Costco, a leading U.S.-based international retailer.

During her time in the United States, Kone met with then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who encouraged her to work with local organizations to bring greater prosperity to her community. Taking this message to heart, Kone returned home to create even greater opportunities for her community. She partnered with Costco to provide training to help local cashew farmers improve their cashew crops. As a result the producers were able to access the international marketplace and to build bridges between American and Burkinabé entrepreneurs. Additionally, when the time came to expand her business, Kone used the opportunity to hire more women, resulting in a workplace now composed of 95 percent women.

To learn more about Minata Kone, visit the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ International Exchange Alumni website at https://alumni.state.gov/alumni-story/cashews-and-lessons-african-womens-entrepreneurship-program

President Obama Signs Proclamation On African-American Music Appreciation Month

Photo courtesy of www.gethealthyharlem.org

Office of The Press Secretary
The White House

May 31, 2013

Below is a Proclamation signed by the President today regarding African-American Music Appreciation Month, 2013.

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