Secretary Kerry Issues Statement on the Republic of Mauritius’ National Day

Department of State
Washington, DC
March 11, 2014

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate all citizens of Mauritius as you celebrate the 46th year of your independence on March 12. The American people share your pride in the long-established democratic traditions that form the bedrock of our nations’ friendship. Mauritius has embraced the principles of democratic governance, economic reform, and social tolerance that serve as a model to others around the world. The United States appreciates Mauritius’ support for efforts to promote regional security and economic development. As you celebrate with family and friends, we wish the people of Mauritius continued peace and prosperity.

Secretary Kerry Issues Statement on the Republic of Ghana’s National Day

Department of State
Washington, DC
March 5, 2014

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I send best wishes to the people of Ghana as you celebrate 57 years of independence on March 6.

I saw the strength of our partnership firsthand when I met with President Mahama at the UN General Assembly last year. Our partnership is strong because we share a commitment to democratic values, the rule of law, and economic development.

Together, we are translating those shared values into action.

Through President Obama’s Young African Leaders, Power Africa, and Partnership for Growth initiatives, the United States is advancing Ghana’s millennium development goals.

We are improving global security through our support for peacekeeping operations.

We are also working together closely on human rights, trade and maritime security.

On this special anniversary, I wish all Ghanaians a healthy, joyful, and festive celebration. The United States looks forward to building on our strong partnership in the years to come.

State of Maryland to Host Inaugural African Legislative Night in Annapolis

Annapolis, Maryland
March 5, 2014
Source: Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives

The state of Maryland will host its Inaugural African Legislative Night on Wednesday March 12, 2014 at the House of Delegates Office Building. 6 Bladen Street, Room 180, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. The event will be hosted by the Governor’s Commission on African Affairs and aims at celebrating the dynamic, growing African community in the state of Maryland. It will also be an opportunity for African immigrants and nationals to interact with elected and appointed officials, and discuss legislation impacting their community.

Event registration is required through this site.
http://www.african.maryland.gov/legislativenight.html

Two Africans Among 2014 International Women of Courage Award Winners

Photo courtesy of voanews.com Story courtesy of AMIP News

Washington DC
March 4, 2014

Mali’s Fatimata Touré and Zimbabwe’s Beatrice Mtetwa are among this year’s International Women of Courage Award Winners. First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama, Ambassador-At-Large for Global Women’s Issues Catherine Russell, Dr. Vanessa Kerry, and Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Heather Higginbottom attended the awards ceremony held at the State Department.

Established in 2007, the annual Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award honors women around the globe who have exemplified exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for human rights, women’s equality, and social progress, often at great personal risk. This is the only Department of State award that pays tribute to emerging women leaders worldwide.

Ms. Fatimata Touré – Mali (back row, extreme right)

During the terrorist occupation of northern Mali, Fatimata Touré channeled her 22 years of experience advocating for women’s health rights to fight resolutely against countless acts of gender-based violence. When extremists attacked the hospital in Gao, she assisted victims in relocating and finding much needed safety and care. As the conflict ensued, Mme. Touré provided counseling and shelter for victims of rape and forced-marriage and publicly denounced perpetrators of gender-based violence. Her actions drew threats from the extremists and, even as her own home was under assault, Mme. Touré hid beneath her bed and used her mobile phone to continue documenting acts of violence against women. Her limitless courage ensured that victims received medical care and that the abuse they suffered was not forgotten during the conflict. As the current head of the Regional Forum on Reconciliation and Peace in Gao, she continues advocating for justice and women’s rights.

Ms. Beatrice Mtetwa – Zimbabwe (front row, extreme right)

Beatrice Mtetwa is Zimbabwe’s most prominent human rights lawyer. For more than 20 years she has fought against injustice, defended press freedom, and upheld the rule of law, accepting difficult cases that other lawyers have declined for fear of political reprisal. Despite experiencing harassment, assault, violence, and arrest, she remains a steadfast advocate for human rights, women’s equality and advancement, and social justice. Mtetwa defended two previous International Women of Courage awardees, Jestina Mukoko and Jenni Williams. She has also represented politicians, civil society activists, and local and international journalists including British and American correspondents arrested while covering Zimbabwe’s 2008 election.

Kenya’s Lupita Nyong’o Wins Best Supporting Actress at ’14 Academy Awards

Picture by Kevin Winter / Getty Images
Story – AP / AMIP News

Sunday March 2, 2014
Los Angeles, California

After a whirlwind of awards seasons, attention for Lupita Nyong’o ended with a best supporting actress award at Sunday’s Oscars. The “12 Years a Slave” star honored the character that put her on stage. For the same role she also won the Screen Actors Guild and Critics’ Choice Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in addition to receiving nominations for the Golden Globe and the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress.

“Thank you to the academy for this incredible recognition. It doesn’t escape me for one moment that so much joy in my life is due to so much pain in someone else’s,” she said, referring to Patsey, the tortured slave she played in director Steve McQueen’s wrenching 19th-century drama. She credited McQueen for bringing attention to a dark chapter in American history and the victims of slavery. “I’m certain the dead are standing about you and watching,” she said, a sentiment she expanded on backstage. “I think he’s really honored a people that really have been unsung for a really long time in doing this film,” she said. Nyong’o, who has talked about learning as a child to accept her dark-skinned beauty, said she hoped her success would inspire other youngsters.

“When I look down at this golden statue, may it remind me and every child, no matter where you’re from, your dreams are valid,” she said.

Lupita Amondi Nyong’o is a Mexican born, Kenyan actress and music video director who studied at Yale School of Drama.
Nyong’o had been considered a front-runner in a category that included Sally Hawkins, “Blue Jasmine”; Jennifer Lawrence, “American Hustle”; Julia Roberts, “August: Osage County”; and June Squibb, “Nebraska.” Among other awards, Nyong’o claimed a Spirit Award on Saturday, the day she turned 31.

But she appeared shocked when her name was called Sunday. She bent over in her seat, then rose, still looking stunned, as the audience erupted with cheers and a standing ovation. “No, no, no,” she said backstage, when asked if she could have imagined receiving the honor. “I’m a little dazed. I can’t believe this is in my hands. I can’t believe this is real life.” Unlike supporting actor winner Jared Leto, who passed his Oscar for “Dallas Buyers Club” around to a roomful of reporters, Nyong’o cradled her trophy close to her elegant, ice-blue Prada gown. She referred to it as her “young man” at one point.

Nyong’o, who was born in Mexico and is of Kenyan descent, was honored for her film debut. Her parents are prominent in their own right: Her father, Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, was an advocate for democratic reform in 20th-century Kenya and is now a senator, while her mother, Dorothy Nyong’o, is the director of the Africa Cancer Foundation. She has said her parents are taking her fame in stride, but acknowledged a special moment with her father Sunday. “I saw him after I got this young man, and he hugged me and he said, ‘Thank you,’” she said.

The 86th Academy Awards aired on ABC from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres.

Sec. Kerry and Mr. Feingold’s Remarks With Founder of the Eastern Congo Initiative Ben Affleck

State Department Photo
Secretary of State
Russell D. Feingold, Special Envoy for the Great Lakes and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Washington, DC
February 26, 2014

SECRETARY KERRY: Thanks, all, for coming in. Just want to say how much I appreciate Senator Russ Feingold’s efforts with respect to the Great Lakes region, and I’m particularly grateful to Ben Affleck, who’s had a longtime engagement on this. He testified before us in the Senate. We worked on this issue for some period of time. And they’ve just – have you already testified or –

MR. AFFLECK: This afternoon.

SECRETARY KERRY: He’ll be testifying this afternoon before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

But Russ did a superb job working with Mary Robinson of the UN to help bring about the Kampala Accords and a diminishment in the violence, hopefully, when we get it fully followed through on, the disarming of M23, and a movement forward towards some stabilization and economic development and other issues. It’s been a terrific effort, and I’m appreciative to both for their leadership in that regard.

So do you want to say anything, Russ?

MR. FEINGOLD: Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Your willingness to be involved with this every step of the way has made a huge difference. Each time you’ve given me an additional thing to get done with good guidance and always willing to make the calls that need to be made. And it makes a huge difference when the Secretary, obviously, calls people. We try to use it sparingly, but when we do it, it’s effective. So I’m grateful to you for your support on this, and we are making some progress.

SECRETARY KERRY: Ben, do you want to say anything?

MR. AFFLECK: Well, yes. I’m very grateful to be here in this esteemed company and particularly grateful to the Secretary, whose purview is the entire world, has taken time to focus on this issue and to recognize that this is a moment where we have a window where we can really effect change. And I’m grateful that he appointed Senator Feingold, who’s an extraordinary man of great influence, to be ambassador to – or Special Envoy to the Great Lakes region. And finally, it’s just a pleasure to be back here in the State Department after – the real State Department – I had to fake it for Argo. (Laughter.) I get to see the real thing here, so it’s quite intimidating. Thank you again, Mr. Secretary.

SECRETARY KERRY: Happy to have you here. Thank you all very much. Appreciate it. Thanks.

MS. PSAKI: Thank you, everyone.

QUESTION: Is it better or worse than what it was like in Argo?

MR. AFFLECK: Well, this part’s much better. In fact, this was – this area was too fancy to try to recreate so we just recreated white hallways with colored stripes. (Laughter.)

QUESTION: What’s your message to the Senate today?

STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL: Thank you, everyone. Thank –

MR. AFFLECK: Well, you have to come to the testimony to talk about it, but in short it is in fact that while – this is a region that’s suffered enormous damage and trauma. And this fire is now abating a little bit, and we have a window where engagement on the part of Secretary, the President, the Congress all collectively can make a real difference. And I think historically, there’s an instinct to sort of put out one fire and go to the next fire. And this is a point where we can act to prevent the fire from igniting again.

SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you all. Appreciate it very much.

U.S. Presidential Delegation to Attend Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Centenary Celebration

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
February 25, 2014

President Barack Obama today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to the Federal Republic of Nigeria to attend Nigeria’s Centenary Celebration, February 27-28, 2014.

The Honorable Thomas Shannon, Jr., Counselor of the Department of State, will lead the delegation.

Member of the Presidential Delegation:
The Honorable James Entwistle, United States Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Department of State.

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