English
Thursday, August 22, 2013 - 09:22
Dear Mr. President,
We appreciate your Administration’s continued efforts to implement the strategy to defeat the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) as outlined in the bipartisan Lord’s Resistance Army
Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act (P.L. 111-72). We believe it is important that the United States remain committed to working with regional forces to protect civilians until the LRA is defeated once and for all.
Thursday, August 22, 2013 - 09:33
After two decades of violence and political upheaval in DRC, we realize how easy it might be for U.S. leaders and the world to give up Congo. From MONUSCO, to the FARDC to the Congolese government, it seems as though none of the major institutions are functioning well or are truly committed to a lasting peace.
Testimony by Assistant Secretary Johnnie Carson, Bureau of African Affairs, U.S. Department of State
Thursday, August 22, 2013 - 09:48
Mali's March 21, 2012, military coup d'etat ended two decades of Malian democracy, resulted in the loss of the northern Mali to extremist groups, and further destabilized an already fragile Sahel region. Mali is now facing four distinct but overlapping challenges - the restoration of democratic governance, political negotiations with northern groups that reject extremism, al Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb's expanded presence in northern Mali, and an ongoing humanitarian crisis. Mali, regional partners, and the international community must respond to each of these challenges simultaneously. Our response to any one of these challenges must not be dependent on the achievement of another.
Thursday, August 22, 2013 - 10:04
Mali is facing a complex emergency: a political crisis, recovery from a major drought, and threats to internal and regional security. I would like to provide an update on the current situation and how it has affected our programming, as well as outline the key factors that are needed for development to progress.
Thursday, August 22, 2013 - 10:18
United States Africa Command protects and defends the national security interests of the United States by strengthening the defense capabilities of African states and regional organizations, and, when directed, conducts military operations, in order to deter and defeat transnational threats and to provide a security environment conducive to good governance and development.
This year marks the fifth anniversary of the formation of the command. Since our start in 2008, our operational capabilities and capacities have markedly increased. In parallel, our relationship with African partners and our security cooperation engagements have matured in both focus and effectiveness. Our integrated approach seeks to address the greatest near-term threats to our national security while simultaneously building long-term partnerships and fostering regional cooperation.
Thursday, August 22, 2013 - 10:39
U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), the Committee’s Ranking Member, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, and Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Africa, introduced bipartisan legislation that would establish a U.S. strategy to support affordable, reliable electricity in sub-Saharan Africa in order to improve economic growth, health and education in Africa, while helping job creation in the United States through greater exports.
Thursday, August 22, 2013 - 13:05
The Government of the United States announces that Under Secretary for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman will lead the U.S. delegation in the Regional Security Cooperation Working Group meeting of the United States-Nigeria Binational Commission (BNC) to be held in Abuja, Nigeria, on August 15.
Thursday, August 22, 2013 - 13:33
Friday, August 23, 2013 - 06:42
Hopes that Somalia may soon turn the page on decades of anarchy have been dealt a string of blows, giving the internationally-backed government little to cheer as it marks its first birthday.
Friday, August 23, 2013 - 06:43
African troops in Somalia said they thwarted an attack Thursday by Islamist Shabaab fighters on their base in the southern port city of Kismayo.