White House Statement by President Obama, July 7, 2010Footnote 1
President Obama. On behalf of the American people, I extend my congratulations to the people of Guinea, who peacefully and successfully conducted an initial round of voting in the country's first free elections since becoming an independent state in 1958. Just months ago, the world was shocked by the September 28 massacre and rape of pro-democracy demonstrators in Conakry. Many feared that brutality and instability would consume Guinea, and even spread across its borders to threaten the recovery of a war-weary region. The Guinean people, however, demonstrated extraordinary courage and determination to pull their country out of crisis, and to chart a new course toward a democratic future. They were supported by the leadership of Interim President General Sékouba Konaté, who has focused intensely and urgently on transitioning the country to civilian rule. The United States joined other members of the international community, including the African Union and ECOWAS, in supporting these elections, but it was the Guinean government, the electoral commission, civil society, the political party leadership, and the people of Guinea who made it succeed. Indeed, the character and resilience of the Guinean people in claiming their democratic rights sends a powerful message around the world.
The people of Guinea now have an opportunity to build on this historic achievement as they move toward a second round of voting. I urge all parties in Guinea to continue to choose the rule of law and peaceful political participation over ethnic division and violence. They can continue to count on the support of the United States as they move forward.
Remarks by Secretary of State Clinton and Angolan Minister of External Relations dos Anjos, July 8, 2010Footnote 2
Secretary Hillary Clinton and Minister Assunção Afonso dos Anjos delivered these remarks in Washington, DC
Secretary Clinton. Well good afternoon and welcome to the State Department's Treaty Room for today's ceremony marking the formal launch of the U.S.-Angola Strategic Partnership Dialogue. The Minister and I agreed to this Dialogue during my visit to Angola last August, and I am delighted that he is here today to inaugurate it.
This Dialogue represents a new chapter in the relationship between Angola and the United States and reflects the many ties that already connect our nations. We are joined by representatives of several United States Government agencies as well as people from the State Department and USAID.
While today is our official launch, work has already begun. In November, our working group on energy cooperation met to outline our shared objectives, including the development of Angola's oil and gas resources, the promotion of transparency in the oil sector, and the development of renewable energy sources. The working group on security cooperation has met and discussed issues including Angola's growing role in regional security, its work against human trafficking, and our joint efforts to improve air and maritime safety, as well as the need to destroy excess munitions.
In April, we signed an air services arrangement, paving the way for increased commerce and air travel between our countries. And just a few weeks ago, the first meeting of the U.S.-Angola Trade and Investment Framework Agreement Council was held in Angola to discuss ways to deepen our trade and expand it beyond the oil sector.
Now, I expect we will cooperate in other priorities including, agriculture and food security, transportation, and strengthening institutional capacity. We will work together based on mutual respect and mutual responsibility. And we will expand and strengthen our relationship, as we did when I visited last August, on a new collaboration to fight HIV and AIDS, as well as a new public-private partnership to support Angola's farmers. I had such a wonderful visit to your country last August, and I enjoyed the gracious hospitality that I experienced. And I also appreciated the opportunity to meet, of course, with the president and members of the national assembly, as well as other citizens who are committed to building and strengthening a peaceful, prosperous, democratic Angola.
So I thank all of our partners in Angola who have worked so hard to bring this occasion to a reality, and I look forward to our continuing work in the months and years ahead.
Thank you.
Minister Dos Anjos. Thank you. Thank you, very much, Madam Secretary. And thank you—for all of you for being here today. Madam Secretary Hillary Clinton has already described with very great precision and propriety all the actions that we undertook together in this year that went by since she visited.
I had an opportunity during our meeting and dialogue together to remember and to talk about all these initiatives that we took together, and to stress how it was possible in such a short period to get together and work in all these different areas that touch all areas of activity of our countries. And this is only possible when people are really committed to doing it. This is only possible when heads of state have the political will to (inaudible) it. This is only possible when there are two peoples who really want to consolidate their relationship. And this is only possible when there's a community of interests, of ideals, of interests in solving the problems of mankind.
In that respect, our two heads of state, our two administrations, are reading from the absolute same page. Friendship and cooperation among men should not be based only in hard to grasp numbers and figures and commercial data. And cooperation should not just be aid and assistance from the developed countries to those countries in need. But however, cooperation through humanity and respect among men should be translated into proactive and dynamic actions that are undertaken together.
And this cooperation then, through this way, is changed. It transforms itself from cooperation to real partnership—partnership that will endow and permit these countries to find solutions to their own needs and problems, and actions that the countries then can take to ensure their own development and the welfare of their population. And this affirmation was one of the assumptions and one of the important parts of the speech that President Obama made in Ghana. And we entirely agree and are perfectly in tune with the speech because this is a philosophical basis, the life motif that leads us today to sign this memorandum of understanding.
We are going to take advantage of the experience and the capabilities and the capacity of a country as great as the United States of America to develop our own knowledge, to develop our own technology, to improve the education of our population, the health of our population, the infrastructure, and to promote development of our own country so that we can continue to interact between the two of us, but in the whole world and other developed—less developed countries, but brought together by one common goal: to make this world a better, better place and to promote a more (inaudible) dialogue (inaudible).
Thank you, very, very much.
Excerpts of Interview with President Obama by the South African Broadcasting Company, July 14, 2010Footnote 3
Q. Mr. President, you reached out yesterday to President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, pledging U.S. support after the twin bombings in Kampala. Can you share some of the details of that conversation with us?
President Obama. Well, I expressed, obviously most immediately, the condolences of the American people for this horrific crime that had been committed. And I told the President that the United States was going to be fully supportive of a thorough investigation of what had happened.
Al Shabaab has now taken credit, taken responsibility for this atrocity, and we are going to redouble our efforts, working with Uganda, working with the African Union, to make sure that organizations like this are not able to kill Africans with impunity.
And it was so tragic and ironic to see an explosion like this take place when people in Africa were celebrating and watching the World Cup take place in South Africa. On the one hand, you have a vision of an Africa on the move, an Africa that is unified, an Africa that is modernizing and creating opportunities; and on the other hand, you've got a vision of al Qaeda and Al Shabaab that is about destruction and death. And I think it presents a pretty clear contrast in terms of the future that most Africans want for themselves and their children. And we need to make sure that we are doing everything we can to support those who want to build, as opposed to want to destroy.
Q.These attacks are very much about what is happening in Somalia today. How does that change, if at all, the game plan of the United States with regard to the Transitional Government that is in power there?
President Obama. Well, look, obviously Somalia has gone through a generation now of war, of conflict. The Transitional Government there is still getting its footing. But what we know is that if Al Shabaab takes more and more control within Somalia, that it is going to be exporting violence the way it just did in Uganda. And so we've got to have a multinational effort. This is not something that the United States should do alone, that Uganda or others should do alone, but rather the African Union, in its mission in Somalia, working with the Transitional Government to try to stabilize the situation and start putting that country on a pathway that provides opportunity for people, as opposed to creating a breeding ground for terrorism.
Q. Former U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania—you might know him—Charles Stith—has just written a piece about radical Islam in Africa specifically, and I'd like to quote something from it. He says, “It became clear to me that the dirty little secret that no one wanted to discuss openly was political Islam's corrosive effect and adverse impact on development and stability on the African continent. It is inarguable that Islam is a factor in Africa.”
In your view, are there strategies in place to deal with this?
President Obama. Well, I think—look, Islam is a great religion. It is one that has prospered side by side with other religions within Africa. And one of the great strengths of Africa is its diversity not only of faith, but of races and ethnicities. But what you have seen in terms of radical Islam is an approach that says that any efforts to modernize, any efforts to provide basic human rights, any efforts to democratize are somehow anti-Islam. And I think that is absolutely wrong. I think the vast majority of people of the Islamic faith reject that. I think the people of Africa reject it.
And what you've seen in some of the statements that have been made by these terrorist organizations is that they do not regard African life as valuable in and of itself. They see it as a potential place where you can carry out ideological battles that kill innocents without regard to long-term consequences for their short-term tactical gains.
And that's why it's so important, even as we deal with organizations like Al Shabaab militarily, that, more importantly, we also are dealing with the development agenda and building on models of countries like South Africa that are trying to move in the right direction, that have successful entrepreneurs, that have democracy and have basic human freedoms—that we highlight those as an example whereby Africans can seize their own destiny, and hopefully the United States can be an effective partner in that.
Q. So this is a link to poverty, that's what you're saying.
President Obama. Well, it's not just link to poverty. I mean, I think there's an ideological component to it that also has to be rejected. There's—obviously young people, if they don't have opportunity, are more vulnerable to these misguided ideologies, but we also have to directly confront the fact that issues like a anti-democratic, anti-free speech, anti-freedom of religion agenda, which is what an organization like Al Shabaab promotes, also often goes hand in hand with violence.
Q. Sudan. The International Criminal Court has added the charges of genocide to the arrest warrant of Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir. There's a view in Africa, certainly with the African Union, that the pursuit of President Bashir will be undermining or detrimental to the Doha peace process. What's your view?
President Obama. Well, my view is that the ICC has put forward an arrest warrant. We think that it is important for the government of Sudan to cooperate with the ICC. We think that it is also important that people are held accountable for the actions that took place in Darfur that resulted in, at minimum, hundreds of thousands of lives being lost. And so there has to be accountability, there has to be transparency. Obviously we are active in trying to make sure that Sudan is stabilized; that humanitarian aid continues to go in there; that efforts with respect to a referendum and the possibility of Southern Sudan gaining independence under the agreement that was brokered, that that moves forward.
So it is a balance that has to be struck. We want to move forward in a constructive fashion in Sudan, but we also think that there has to be accountability, and so we are fully supportive of the ICC.
Q. Is peace not at risk if he were to present himself to the ICC?
President Obama. Well, I think that peace is at risk if there's no transparency and accountability of the actions that are taking place, whether it's in Sudan or anywhere else in the world.
Q. The World Cup, Mr. President, you mentioned that. To a certain extent, I imagine around the world, it was overshadowed by what happened in Uganda. But South Africa was basking in the glory of having successfully hosted this World Cup. But let's acknowledge the skeptics—and there were quite a few of them and they were quite loud. I wonder if you were one of them.
President Obama. No, I wasn't. I, having visited South Africa and seen the extraordinary vitality of the people there, having gotten to know President Zuma and understanding the extraordinary pride that his administration expressed, which I think was a pride that was shared by all South Africans, I had confidence that this was going to be a success.
Obviously, it was just a terrific showcase, not just for South Africa, but for Africa as a whole, because what it lifted up was the fact that Africa—all the stereotypes that it suffers under, all the false perspectives about Africa capacity, that when given an opportunity, Africa is a continent full of leaders, entrepreneurs, governments that can operate effectively. What we now have to do is build on that positive image that comes out of the World Cup.
And when I was in Ghana last year, I was very clear on what I think the agenda has to be—Africa for Africans. That means that we can be partners with Africans, but ultimately, on whether it's issues of eliminating corruption, ensuring smooth transitions of democratic governments, making sure that businesses are able to thrive and prosper and that markets are working for the smallest farmer and not just the most well-connected person—those are issues that Africans can work on together.
And in terms of my orientation working to help in Africa's development, we want to provide resources, but we want to partner with those who are interested in growing their own capacity over time and not having a long-term dependency on foreign aid.
Q. You also spoke in Ghana about the need to stop the blame game.
President Obama. Absolutely. Well, look, I feel very strongly that—you talk to the average person in Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria; they will acknowledge a tragic history in terms of colonialism and negative Western influences. But I think what they'll also acknowledge is their biggest problem right now is the policeman who's shaking them down, or the inability for them to be able to get a telephone in a timely fashion in their office, or having to pay a bribe. Those are the impediments to development right now. And those are things that Africans can solve if there is a determination and there's strong leadership. And Nelson Mandela set us on a path in understanding the standards of leadership that are needed, and I think those standards can be met. And you're seeing countries around the continent who are starting to meet those high standards that are so necessary to ultimately help the people.
Q. I want to touch on AIDS. Mr. President, there's been a great deal of appreciation and goodwill towards the United States for the Global Health Initiative, of which PEPFAR is the cornerstone. Some criticism, though, from AIDS groups in South Africa that there's a de facto decrease in funding, even though there's a 2.3 percent increase. How do you respond to that? It's based on inflation. Inflation in developing countries tends to be higher than it is in the United States. It's a 2.3 percent increase, and they're saying it's a de facto decrease.
President Obama. Well, I have to say that we are seeing not a decrease, but an increase in PEPFAR, an increase in the Global Health Initiative. And I promise you when I'm fighting for that budget here in the United States, people don't see it as a decrease. They see it as an increase. They understand we're putting more money into it, and it's the right thing to do.
What we do want to make sure of is that as successful as PEPFAR has been, as important as it is for us to, for example, get antiviral drugs in there, that we're also helping to build up capacity—consistent with what I said earlier.
So, for example, what are we doing in terms of creating public health systems and infrastructure in a place like South Africa so that the incidents of infection are reduced? We're not just treating the disease itself, but we're also doing a much better job in terms of general public health so that fewer people are getting infected in the first place.
I think that kind of reorientation you're going to start seeing in some areas. We'll continue to provide increases in antiviral drugs, continue to provide millions of rand, billions of U.S. dollars to basis assistance, but we also want to build capacity at the same time.
White House Statement, July 19, 2010Footnote 4
Notice of the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to the Former Liberian Regime of Charles Taylor
President Obama. On July 22, 2004, by Executive Order 13348, the President declared a national emergency and ordered related measures, including the blocking of the property of certain persons connected to the former Liberian regime of Charles Taylor, pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706). The President took this action to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States constituted by the actions and policies of former Liberian President Charles Taylor and other persons, in particular their unlawful depletion of Liberian resources and their removal from Liberia and secreting of Liberian funds and property, which have undermined Liberia's transition to democracy and the orderly development of its political, administrative, and economic institutions and resources.
The actions and policies of Charles Taylor and others have left a legacy of destruction that continues to undermine Liberia's transformation and recovery. Because the actions and policies of these persons continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States, the national emergency declared on July 22, 2004, and the measures adopted on that date to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond July 22, 2010. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13348.
Excerpts of Statement by President Obama, August 3, 2010Footnote 5
President Barack Obama delivered this statement in Washington, DC
Introductory Remarks Omitted
President Obama. It's my great privilege to welcome all of you to this Young African Leaders Forum. You've joined us from nearly 50 countries. You reflect the extraordinary history and diversity of the continent. You've already distinguished yourselves as leaders—in civil society and development and business and faith communities—and you've got an extraordinary future before you.
In fact, you represent the Africa that so often is overlooked—the great progress that many Africans have achieved and the unlimited potential that you've got going forward into the 21st century.
Now, I called this forum for a simple reason. As I said when I was in Accra last year, I don't see Africa as a world apart; I see Africa as a fundamental part of our interconnected world. Whether it's creating jobs in a global economy, or delivering education and health care, combating climate change, standing up to violent extremists who offer nothing but destruction, or promoting successful models of democracy and development—for all this we have to have a strong, self-reliant and prosperous Africa. So the world needs your talents and your creativity. We need young Africans who are standing up and making things happen not only in their own countries but around the world.
And the United States wants to be your partner. So I'm pleased that you've already heard from Secretary of State Clinton, and that we're joined today by leaders from across my administration who are working to deepen that partnership every day.
I can't imagine a more fitting time for this gathering. This year, people in 17 nations across Sub-Saharan Africa are proudly celebrating 50 years of independence. And by any measure, 1960 was an extraordinary year. From Senegal to Gabon, from Madagascar to Nigeria, Africans rejoiced in the streets—as foreign flags were lowered and their own were hoisted up. So in 12 remarkable months, nearly one-third of the continent achieved independence—a burst of self-determination that came to be celebrated as “The Year of Africa”—at long last, these Africans were free to chart their own course and to shape their own destiny.
Now, 1960, of course, was significant for another reason. Here in the United States of America it was the year that a candidate for president first proposed an idea for young people in our own country to devote a year or two abroad in service to the world. And that candidate was John F. Kennedy, and that idea would become the Peace Corps—one of our great partnerships with the world, including with Africa.
Now, the great task of building a nation is never done. Here in America, more than two centuries since our independence, we're still working to perfect our union. Across Africa today, there's no denying the daily hardships that are faced by so many—the struggle to feed their children, to find work, to survive another day. And too often, that's the Africa that the world sees.
But today, you represent a different vision, a vision of Africa on the move—an Africa that's ending old conflicts, as in Liberia, where President Sirleaf told me, today's children have “not known a gun and not had to run;” an Africa that's modernizing and creating opportunities—agribusiness in Tanzania, prosperity in Botswana, political progress in Ghana and Guinea; an Africa that's pursuing a broadband revolution that could transform the daily lives of future generations.
So once again, Africa finds itself at a moment of extraordinary promise. And as I said last year, while today's challenges may lack some of the drama of 20th century liberation struggles, they ultimately may be even more meaningful, for it will be up to you, young people full of talent and imagination, to build the Africa for the next 50 years.
As you work to create jobs and opportunity, America will work with you, promoting the trade and investment on which growth depends. That's why we're proud to be hosting the AGOA Forum this week to expand trade between our countries. And today I'll also be meeting with trade, commerce, and agriculture ministers from across Sub-Saharan Africa. It's also why our historic Food Security Initiative isn't simply about delivering food; it's about sharing new technologies to increase African productivity and self-sufficiency.
Now, no one should have to pay a bribe to get a job or to get government to provide basic services. So as part of our development strategy, we're emphasizing transparency, accountability, and a strong civil society—the kind of reform that can help unleash transformational change. So Africa's future also belongs to those who take charge of that kind of transparency and are serious about anti-corruption measures.
But I do want to leave you with this. You are the heirs of the independence generation that we celebrate this year. Because of their sacrifice, you were born in independent African states. And just as the achievements of the last 50 years inspire you, the work you do today will inspire future generations.
Statement by Secretary of State Clinton, August 3, 2010Footnote 6
Secretary Hillary Clinton delivered this statement in Washington, DC
Introductory Remarks Omitted
Secretary Clinton. [T]his Administration, from the top, is very committed to, concerned about Africa, and especially about Africa's future, because we know that it is people like all of you and others who are not in this room today who will determine what Africa's future will be.
I see Africa as a continent brimming with potential, a place that has so much just waiting to be grasped. Sixty percent of the population of Africa is under the age of 25. And that means that there's a lot of work to be done to make sure that those young people are educated, are healthy, are motivated, are given the tools of opportunity. But it also means that Africa has not just the potential, but the promise of becoming a leader in innovation, in design, in creativity of all that you, your families, communities, and countries can become.
Now, people in this room have already started businesses. You have started NGOs, you have made films, you have helped to make peace, you have worked with at-risk youth, you have cared for people living with HIV/AIDS, you have fought to end mistreatment of some of Africa's most vulnerable citizens. You have looked for solutions close to home. And you have seen unprecedented progress in your own lifetimes. Poverty and child mortality have declined across much of the continent. Primary school enrollment is up. Ghana, Botswana, South Africa, and others have all recently held elections that were models of freeness and fairness.
Across Africa, more citizens believe they now have the power and the duty to shape their own lives, to help their communities, to hold their governments accountable. So for all of the challenges, which we hear much about, I want to focus on these gains, because it is through this positive progress that we can motivate and incentivize even more to take place. And ultimately, it is up to you. The President and I very much believe in Africa's promise and we can do what's possible from afar to assist and to be front-row cheerleaders, if you will. But ultimately, it is up to you, and to citizens like you to make sure that we sustain and deepen the progress.
Every child, boy and girl, deserves to go as far as his or her God-given talents and potential and hard work will take that child. That means education is a right, not a luxury. It means that the best education must be made available to as many young people as possible. It means that every pregnant woman receives prenatal care and assistance for labor and delivery so the child that is brought into the world has a good start. It means that everyone has a safe environment—a house, a roof over one's head, a fair wage for the work that is done, and that everyone is free to follow his or her conscience in religion and politics to express an opinion without fear of being marginalized, silenced, or worse. We believe that you have the talents, the determination and the ability to bring these dreams to fruition.
When President Obama spoke to the parliament of Ghana a year ago he said, Africa's future is up to Africans. And he pledged then to work with Africa's leaders and citizens as friends and partners in a spirit of mutual respect and accountability. We stand ready to be your partners.
What does partnership mean? Well, it means that we have to change the way we pursue development. We have to work harder to expand trade and we have to encourage more trade among African countries yourselves. It means we have to improve private sector competitiveness. Many of you have had the privilege of traveling. You've been to Europe. You've now been to the United States. You've seen the diaspora from your countries and you often see how successful they are. We want that success to be right where you live and to break down the barriers that still exist.
We want to help you modernize how you deliver and create clean energy, how you get more value for agriculture which is still the life blood and the source of income for most people in sub-Saharan Africa. We want to help you strengthen democratic institutions. Elections are great, but that's only one part of democracy—free press, independent judiciary, respect for human rights and the rights of minorities, giving everybody a stake in their own society. We want to support women and girls to be full participants in their communities and countries. We want to redouble our global efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDs, tuberculosis, malaria. We want to respond to food scarcity and soaring food prices and growing populations with a multi-billion dollar initiative to help eradicate hunger and achieve food security. We want to join with you to fight against climate change, which will be devastating to Africa.
Meanwhile, we want to be sure that your voices are heard on the global stage. Johnnie was referring to my trips to Africa as First Lady. And I recognized then how much work there still was to be done to educate people in my own country about Africa. I held a roundtable for members of the White House Press Corps, and this was probably in—I don't know, 1997 or ‘98—and one of the first questions that one of the reporters asked me—he said, what's the capital of Africa? I thought, oh, do I have a lot of work to do. And we've made a lot of progress there, too–but we have a long way to go. Because you know so well that when people think too often of Africa, they think of all the tragedies, the conflicts. We want people to see a more comprehensive picture.
This forum, along with the African Women's Entrepreneurship Program, and the AGOA Forum taking place here in Washington and in Kansas City, Kansas, this week will help link African and American leaders, activists, entrepreneurs, investors, and especially young people. And we are inviting you to take advantage of that. We designed this forum not to be a one-time event; we want to create the connections that you will continue to exploit, to think about how you can tap into whatever help and skills, references and ideas that you can get from us.
We want you to take advantage of this when you go home, when you return, and maybe begin to think anew about how you can be more effective. And your generation of young Africans has already pioneered information technologies. You are connecting and empowering people in ways that we couldn't have dreamed of even five, let alone ten years ago. For example, Ushahidi crisis management platform has become a digital tool for social change all over the world.
Every child, boy and girl, deserves to go as far as his or her God-given talents and potential and hard work will take that child.
Ushahidi was developed by young Kenyans to map reports of violence after the election of 2007. And a lot of the young Kenyans we invited were unable to come because they're staying to vote and to work on behalf of the constitution that will be voted on very soon. This new network has been used by citizen election monitors to help prevent fraud and violence in Burundi, India, Sudan, Guinea, Namibia. It's revolutionizing and empowering what citizens can do without permission, just on their own. We have seen the way that sophisticated mobile communications tools have also been used in Kenya to educate and empower voters in the lead-up to the referendum on its new constitution tomorrow.
Good ideas leapfrog languages and borders. Technology created and deployed first in Africa was used by U.S. Marines in Haiti to help rescue earthquake victims, and by a Louisiana environmental group tracking efforts to clean up the Gulf oil spill We are working hard to convey that our relationship with Africa is not a oneway street. We expect to benefit. We expect to learn. We expect to look to you for models and ideas of what we can do better ourselves.
So to ensure that new technologies are used more for good—and not for ill—we have promised to work with partners in industry, academia, and NGOs to try to harness the power of connection technologies to help you spur economic, political, and social progress.
The United States has now joined with three local partners to sponsor a contest called “Apps-4-Africa”—A-p-p-s dash 4, the number, dash Africa. Software developers in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania have proposed applications for everything from educational games for mobile phones, to interactive maps that can track shortages of blood or medicines, to a mass texting app that could broadcast emergency information to rural villages. The winning apps will be announced in September. And we hope to catalyze these collaborations between technical experts and leaders of civil society to develop practical solutions that will improve people's lives.
This concept of leapfrogging holds such great promise for Africa. You already have. You didn't have to put up telephone poles, you went right to cell phones in many parts of Africa. Your electric grid doesn't have to be massive. It can be local and regional and provide sources of energy from wind and solar as well as fossil fuels. We stand ready to help in any way we can.
I often say that talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not. Africa has no shortage of ideas, innovations, or entrepreneurial drive. We want this conference to be a start, where we work with you to help you create the conditions in which your ideas can be translated into real-life solutions for Africa and beyond.
I know you've been going to workshops and you've been talking to one another, and we will maintain a kind of nerve center after this forum to stay in touch with you, to provide assistance if you request it, to connect you up with other people. It's part of how we're trying to redefine diplomacy, development, and statecraft in the 21st century. We recently held an entrepreneurship summit in Washington where we invited young business people from predominantly Muslim-majority countries that are lagging way behind in unleashing the entrepreneurial potential of their people. And I think people came in part because they got a free trip to Washington, but also they were curious, wondering kind of what we were up to. But what we were up to was trying to empower them as we now are trying to empower you.
We're looking for leaders who know that empowering citizens is something that is in everyone's best interests. The world in which we live in today—top-down hierarchical power—is not sustainable. Oh, it can stay in place for years, but eventually, it is not sustainable. There are just too many ways people are going to get too much information. And technology is going to blow the doors down on governments.
One of my hopes is that we can move toward e-government in Africa, so that you can get more quickly whatever documents you need to start that business, or to register that car, and you don't have to go through a lot of hands to do it. We're looking for those kinds of ideas and we want to help you bring them to fruition and then take them to scale.
I'm very excited about what's possible with your generation in Africa. But you know as well as I that you're here in part because you've already succeeded. And many of you would have the option to go nearly anywhere in the world to pursue your dreams. But you're here because you care about the future of your families, your communities, your countries. And I urge you to stay with it. Change is not easy. And for many who try it, it can become very frustrating and even discouraging. But it is so worthy an effort, commensurate with your talents and your dedication.
You are educated beyond the average education of most of the people that you know or that you can watch as you drive down the road. You're here because you had the opportunities and you took them. What we want to help you do is to set forth your vision and then realize it. Because it will not be just for you—although I hope every one of you becomes successful in whatever enterprise you choose to pursue—but it will help to open doors and not go over obstacles, so that people will look at you, especially people younger than you, and believe that they too have a chance for a different future.
Godspeed as you go out from this forum back to your homes, I hope, energized and knowing that no matter how hard it is, you have friends and partners who are rooting for your success.
Thank you all very much.
Statement by Secretary of State Clinton, August 3, 2010Footnote 7
Secretary Hillary Clinton delivered this statement in Washington, DC
Introductory Remarks Omitted
Secretary Clinton. I must say that my trip across Africa last summer offered me an opportunity to meet with leaders and citizens from all walks of life. And for me, that visit was a really important turning point, because coming as it did on the heels of President Obama's very important speech in Ghana, it was a reaffirmation of this Administration's commitment to appreciate Africa even more fully in its promise and its potential for the future.
In Kenya, I met researchers developing seeds and agricultural techniques that could feed millions of hungry people. In South Africa, I visited a group of women who had been homeless when I first met them years before, but have now built a thriving community where there was once only a dusty patch of land for squatters. And in Liberia, I saw one-time adversaries sitting side-by-side in the parliament of a unified nation, working together for a better future.
In place after place, the hope and progress that I saw are, every day, sweeping away old stereotypes and offering the world a new view of Africa. In small villages and sprawling cities across that great and diverse continent, poverty, conflict, and corruption are giving a way to opportunity, stability, and democracy. For example, in the last 10 years, child mortality rates have declined while primary school enrollment has increased. More people have gained access to clean water and fewer have died in violent conflicts. More than 315 million people began using mobile phones. And every day, 21st century technology is creating new opportunities and unlocking untapped potential.
Even after the global financial crisis, Africa's economy is expected to grow at a rate of 4.5 percent next year, faster than Latin America's, Central Asia's, Europe's, or the United States. All of these numbers tell the story of a continent on the rise. And this is a story that needs to be told. It needs to be shouted from the rooftops. Africa is open for business and ready to grow. As President Obama said in Ghana last year, this is a new moment of great promise.
Now, this progress is the result of the hard work, talent, and determination by people and governments across Africa. Last year alone, two-thirds of sub-Saharan African nations implemented reforms to improve their business climates. More responsible fiscal policies coupled with increased political stability and rising productivity has spurred both growth and attracted investment. The AGOA partnership has helped a growing number of African businesses build on this success at home and reach new markets abroad. Major international corporations are opening new offices in African capitals and opening their eyes to the continent's investment potential.
But we all know, despite the best of intentions, AGOA has achieved only modest results and has not lived up to the highest hopes of a decade ago. We are working to increase trade with Africa in nonpetroleum goods, but there is a long way to go. Petroleum products still account for the vast majority of exports to the United States, and we have not yet seen the diversification of growth of exports that AGOA was expected to spur. So as we praise Africa's progress, we must at the same time be clear-eyed about the challenges that persist.
Last year, I met with refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where a cycle of conflict has left millions of people dead and spawned an epidemic of sexual and gender-based violence. When I visited Nigeria, a country that is one of the world's leading suppliers of oil and gas, I heard from concerned citizens how more people are now living in poverty than were 10 years ago. Sub-Saharan Africa comprises 12 percent of the world's population, but accounts for less than 2 percent of global GDP. And on some millennium development goal targets, such as combating disease, Africa has actually lost ground in recent years.
These challenges are therefore real and they must be addressed if together, we're going to unlock Africa's vast potential. But to borrow an old phrase, there is nothing wrong with Africa that cannot be cured by what is right with Africa. And the United States is committed to being a friend and a partner in doing just that. We believe in Africa's promise and we are committed to Africa's future.
Under President Obama's leadership, the United States is taking a new approach in Africa rooted in partnership, not patronage. That means we are looking for sustainable strategies that help nations build capacity and take responsibility, that give people the tools they need to help themselves and their communities, that empower problem-solvers at the local and regional levels, be they entrepreneurs, NGOs, or governments themselves. We are also working to integrate our trade and development strategies with greater emphasis on bottom-up, locally driven solutions, fostering regional markets within Africa, boosting trade and aid effectiveness, and working with partner governments to promote structural reforms and gradual market liberalization.
The Feed The Future Initiative is an example of the Obama Administration's new focus on local solutions and greater regional integration. It is a comprehensive effort to address the root causes of hunger and poverty by investing in country-led plans such as those in Rwanda and Ghana that are completing the African Union's comprehensive agriculture development program process. Regional integration makes it easier to shift food from areas that have a surplus to those with shortages, increasing availability and reducing volatility of prices. And greater regional market access for things like seeds, fertilizers, and crops also increases producers’ incentives to make sustained investments in agricultural technologies.
So through Feed The Future, we are supporting efforts such as ECOWAS's regional agriculture development and food security investment plan, while working with you to streamline trade corridors in Western Africa. We will make additional investments in other country and regional plans that prioritize the expansion of intraregional trade so these benefits can be more widely shared. We're also making major investments in our Global Health Initiative with an emphasis on women and girls because it is their health which has the biggest impact on families and communities. We're also emphasizing access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene to help save lives that are now being lost to preventable diseases.
The Feed The Future and Global Health Initiatives are being closely coordinated to optimize effective nutrition interventions and investments. Also, through mobile banking and other innovative initiatives, many of them pioneered by African entrepreneurs and activists, we are working to help more people in more places participate in the formal economy. We've taken new steps to support African entrepreneurs, a number of whom attended President Obama's Entrepreneurship Summit this spring in Washington.
We are pursuing Bilateral Investment Treaties, the so-called “BITs,” which encourage market reforms and set conditions for continued growth. A treaty with Rwanda is pending before the United States Senate. Last year, I launched formal negotiations with Mauritius. And I am encouraged by our initial discussions with Gabon and several other countries. The success of Mozambique's BIT, which entered into force in 2005, demonstrates how effective these agreements can be for spurring reform and growing the economy. Mozambique passed new reforms protecting intellectual property rights, combating corruption, and making it easier to start new businesses and trade across their borders. While more needs to be done, the country has seen a significant growth in investments and exports as a result.
We believe AGOA can be a powerful engine for growth if its trade preferences are coupled with effective development programs and reforms that build the capacity for African businesses to succeed in international markets. I personally believe that the old debate between trade versus aid is out of date. We need both trade and aid, and particularly we need aid that supports trade. And the expansion of this conference demonstrates the broadening of our approach.
As Bob said, I just met with participants in the AGOA's Women's Entrepreneurship Program. These are talented, creative women who are leading businesses, making jobs available, seizing economic opportunities. The State Department is sponsoring this program because we know from experience across the world that women-run small-and medium-sized enterprises that are in the formal economy provide a major boost to a country's GDP. Women can drive social and economic progress, and in the process, lift up themselves, their families, and their communities if they have the opportunity and the tools to participate.
Yet women too often still confront barriers that limit their participation in the economy and, therefore, deny their families, their countries of the benefits of those contributions. So we are working to help more women entrepreneurs participate in international markets and take advantage of AGOA's benefits. Thanks to a generous contribution from Exxon Mobil and their women's leadership program, many of the women who have been here today will receive follow-up training at home in their communities.
Earlier today I also visited with a remarkable group of young African leaders who are focused on shaping the future of a continent they will inherit. And many of you will soon travel to Kansas City for an unprecedented meeting of African and American investors, innovators, and entrepreneurs. We hope that these linkages and networks will help you create new trade and investment opportunities and speed greater trade diversification. Now, our relationship may have begun with trade preferences, but today, we are hoping that it grows into a deeper and more dynamic partnership. But even if we do deepen and grow our partnership, we know American assistance and investment can only go so far.
Ultimately, as President Obama said in Ghana, Africa's future belongs to Africans. Responsibility for capitalizing on the progress of recent years rests with those of you in this room, with the young people gathering across this town, and with an entire continent ready to step up and chart its own destiny.
AGOA was founded on the premise that export-driven growth would provide Africa with sustainable economic development and wider prosperity. Today, we still believe in the value of exports, but we better understand that the development of domestic and regional markets is a necessary prerequisite to taking full advantage of global opportunities. Many of Africa's major challenges—from inadequate infrastructure to political instability to corruption—also present opportunities for market-based solutions, creative partnerships, and responsible government action.
First, infrastructure: Africa's infrastructure investments were one of the largest factors in its economic growth of the last decade. But significant needs remain, which you know far better than I. Just 30 percent of the African road network is paved. Air travel is slow, and in many cases, impossible. It takes three times longer to fly from Dakar to Kinshasa than it does to fly from Dakar to Brussels, even though the distance is the same. And much of the continent still lacks sufficient access to electricity. If an outdated electric grid can't support a small business owner's laptop, it won't support a new factory or business center. Advancements in agriculture will mean little if there is no highway to bring crops to market or no port to export them.
Closing the infrastructure gap will be a heavy lift. But it is vital to Africa's long-term development. In Latin America, where there are similar challenges, we're developing an initiative to create new sources of capital for this kind of long-term, growth-sustaining investment by leveraging the tens of billions of remittance dollars that flow into the region each year. If our pilot program on using remittances can be successful there, this model could help close the gap in sub-Saharan Africa as well.
Second, political instability and inclusion: Over the next two years, more than two dozen African nations will hold elections. Now, we know very well that democracy is about more than elections; it's about institutions, the rule of law, human rights, and opportunity. But these elections are important markers for a continent that has seen too many young democracies fail to take root. They present opportunities to consolidate progress and attract investment if they are free, fair, and transparent. The economic success of Liberia underscores the benefits that can follow from political reconciliation, democratic reform, and social inclusion. And we stand ready to help governments and societies do the same.
Third, good governance: Businesses and investors in Africa are no different there than anywhere else in the world. They seek a clear and consistent regulatory environment, a transparent and even-handed judicial system. Businesses need to know what the laws are and how they are interpreted and enforced. Corruption costs Africa an estimated $150 billion a year. It scares away investment, stifles innovation, and slows trade. The exploitation of Africa's mineral and energy wealth continues to be a particularly persistent source of corruption, which is why the United States is supporting the World Bank's Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative and why the United States is taking a strong stand on conflict minerals.
But the problem goes far beyond natural resources. Every time an entrepreneur is forced to pay a bribe to start a business or ship goods across a border or open a new facility, economic progress shudders. As President Obama has said, Africa does not need strong men; it needs strong institutions. We have seen all over the world how vital the rule of law is to maintaining a successful market, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable development.
Intellectual property enforcement is just one example. These protections give international firms confidence in the market, but they also help local African producers build their brands and prepare to participate in the global economy. The United States is stepping up on our use of on-the-ground training and public outreach programs in several African countries to create and promote domestic IP laws and enforcement. And we are actively supporting NGO initiatives like the “African IP Trust,” which helps African farmers and businesses bring their goods to market as unique brands so they fetch better prices, which in turn increases their income. This program has already helped double incomes for rural coffee growers in Ethiopia.
Responsible and responsive governance is impossible without functioning tax systems, so we are working with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to help Sub-Saharan African countries build more effective and transparent revenue collection systems.
At the meeting of the Community of Democracies last month in Poland, I spoke about the role of a vibrant civil society in sustaining democracy and promoting good governance. Civil society is also essential to sustainable development. African business leaders in particular have a responsibility and an interest in holding governments accountable, speaking up for transparency, for the rule of law, equal administration of justice—for the conditions that promote entrepreneurship, investment and growth.
And finally, let me talk about a fourth area that I mentioned last year in Nairobi that I think holds such tremendous potential: regional integration. Regional integration has gotten too little attention within the AGOA framework, but I think it should be at the top of our shared agenda.
Today, the nations of Africa trade with each other less than any region of the world. High tariffs—on average 50 percent higher than those of comparable countries in Latin America or Asia–border officials who demand bribes for permitting goods and people to cross, cumbersome customs procedures, inadequate infrastructure all hamper trade among African countries. It takes about a day and a half to clear exports out of Namibia but then it takes an additional 29 days for them to enter neighboring Angola. The lack of regional economic integration compounds the weaknesses of individual African markets instead of consolidating their strengths. And it prevents African businesses from building the foundations they need to fully and effectively participate in global trade.
For landlocked nations, regional integration can provide access to ports, lowering costs and opening markets. And for all countries, integration offers a chance to share the cost of developing new infrastructure and achieving economies of scale. One example is the underground fiber-optic cable running along the coast of East Africa, which holds the promise of affordable internet access for millions of people.
We can see the benefits of greater regional integration in the progress and potential of the East African Community, which brings together the 127 million people of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi and their combined GDP of $73 billion. In 2005, these nations launched a customs union and last month they declared a common market. The East African Community eliminated or reduced tariffs on goods traded within the community, made it easier for workers and companies to do business in any of their countries, and created institutions to implement policies uniformly across the region.
And look at the results already: Trade between East African Community nations has increased by nearly 50 percent since the customs union was established. Investment and foreign trade has followed. Between 2008 and 2009, trade between the East African Community and America rose by more than 13 percent.
Now there certainly is more work to be done, but the United States believes in the potential of regional integration, like the East African Community, and we are committed to supporting it. We signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement with the Community in 2008. And this spring, we became the first nation to accredit an ambassador to the community. And later this year we will launch a new technical assistance program. We are working together with East African Community nations on improving aviation security and infrastructure development, addressing piracy in the West Indian Ocean, and ensuring that the benefits of economic integration translated into broad-based prosperity for the people. Because ultimately, success must be measured in the results people see in their daily lives.
Sub-Saharan Africa has some 14 regional trade or cooperation agreements, many of them overlapping and not all as successful as the East African Community. Let's work together to bring coherence to this patchwork. Let's promote the institutions that work. Let's share best practices. Let's be sure that we are maximizing what is closest to home—markets that are only going to get bigger if they are nurtured and given the chance to grow.
And the continent has achieved progress in recent years toward building a regional security and political architecture. The African Union has developed into a pillar of regional cooperation and a number of sub-regional organizations, such as ECOWAS, are playing crucial roles in peacekeeping, democracy promotion, conflict resolution, and now food security. We've committed at least $15 million to ECOWAS's regional food security plan and we're working on a wide range of other problem-solving regional efforts. But now is the time to extend this progress to economic cooperation. And we invite you to give us your ideas. How can we take this issue this year and make progress together?
As you know, I've had the privilege of traveling quite a lot on behalf of my country. But one trip I was not able to make this year was to the World Cup in South Africa. But somehow, both the Vice President and my husband found the opportunity to attend. Bill even extended his stay because it was so exciting. And as I was glued to my television set watching it, I was thrilled by what I saw. There was so much confidence, competence, dynamism, diversity—so much hope, so much potential. You could see it on the faces of so many of the people, and I saw it again in the faces of the young African leaders here today in this city.
Everyone understands that opportunity and responsibility go hand-in-hand. That tomorrow's future depends upon today's choices. The United States can and will be a partner. We're here for the good times and the bad. We want to work toward the day when every child born in Africa has the opportunity to live up to his or her God-given potential. That is our goal and that is our pledge.
So we are grateful that you are here with us. Because you obviously believe in that better future and see AGOA as a tool. We want to take that tool and break new ground together. Thank you for helping to make the tough choices that are growing your economies. Thank you for working not only for your community and your country's future, but for Africa's future. And please know that the United States and President Obama and I are eager and anxious to make this journey with you. Let's help each other make Africa all that it can be as we re-launch and re-imagine what AGOA can be. And as we take part in not only this conference but in the work that lies ahead. Thank you all so very, very much.
Statement by President Obama, August 5, 2010Footnote 8
President Obama. The United States congratulates the Kenyan people and government on the holding of a peaceful, transparent, and credible constitutional referendum. This was a significant step forward for Kenya's democracy, and the peaceful nature of the election was a testament to the character of the Kenyan people. My Administration has been pleased to support Kenya's democratic development and the Kenyan people, including through the visit of Vice President Biden earlier this year.
The overwhelming approval of the proposed new constitution reflects the desire of the Kenyan people to put their country on a path toward improved governance, greater stability, and increased prosperity. As it is fully implemented, the new constitution can play a decisive role in achieving these objectives in a way which benefits all Kenyans.
Kenyans across the political, social, and ethnic spectrum now have a chance to come together to support implementation through an inclusive dialogue. Reaching out to one another, Kenyans will be able to take advantage of this historic opportunity to move their country forward. As Kenya's close friend and partner, the United States will work with the international community to support the implementation process, and to stand with the Kenyan people as they reach for a better future.
Excerpts of Statement by Secretary of State Clinton and Nigerian Foreign Minister Ajumogobia, August 5, 2010Footnote 9
Secretary Hillary Clinton and Foreign Minister Henry Odein Ajumogobia delivered this statement in Washington, DC
Secretary Clinton. Well good morning everyone, and I want to start by welcoming the minister here. I had a wonderful visit to Nigeria a year ago this month and have stayed in close touch with my counterparts there and have been delighted by the creation and operation of our Binational Commission. And this is another example of our close cooperation and partnership.
Before I begin on what I'd like to say about Nigeria, I'd like to offer a few comments about Kenya. Yesterday we watched with great interest as Kenyans went to the polls to cast their votes on a new constitution. This was the first time that Kenyans have participated in a national poll since the violence that followed the disputed 2007 presidential election. Constitutional reform is the centerpiece of the reform agenda that Kenya has adopted for itself. It is aimed at addressing the underlying causes of violence, and I commend the people of Kenya for participating in large numbers and exercising their right to vote in a peaceful manner.
While the final results are not in, it appears that about two-thirds of Kenyans have voted in favor of their new constitution. This is an indication that a very strong majority of Kenyans have voted for fundamental change. And we were supporters of both sides of the constitutional debate and, in fact, we urge all Kenyans to reach out to each other, to work together after this referendum to support Kenya's democratic institutions and to move the country forward into the kind of future that Kenyans themselves deserve. And they can rest assured that the United States will continue to be a friend and partner to help build that future.
Now, the foreign minister comes here from Nigeria during a week of meetings and gatherings, starting in Washington and now having gone on to Kansas City. Devoted to strengthening the relationship between the United States and Sub-Saharan Africa as a whole, we are working to expand our business and trade links. We are listening and learning from African leaders, and we welcome this opportunity to build upon one of our most important bilateral relationships.
Today, the foreign minister and I had a very productive meeting. Nigeria is a key strategic partner, not only in Africa but globally. It is Africa's most populous nation, its largest democracy, a significant contributor to peacekeeping efforts across the continent, a crucial partner for economic growth, trade and direct investment with the United States. About one million Nigerians live, study, and work in the United States, providing important people-to-people connections. So today I want to reaffirm how much we value our relationship with Nigeria and how much we both, I believe, can benefit from closer cooperation.
When I visited Nigeria last year, I saw firsthand the strength and determination of the Nigerian people, their absolute commitment to achieving a stable and democratic future even amidst a lot of challenges. We were saddened by the illness and passing of their president earlier this year, but encouraged by the timely and peaceful succession of President Jonathan. The Nigerian people deserve a responsible government that rejects corruption, enforces the rule of law, respects human rights, and works on behalf of the betterment of the Nigerian people. That is the driving principle behind the U.S.-Nigerian Binational Commission. We are focusing on four critical areas: good governance and transparency, energy reform and investment, regional security and the Niger Delta, and food security and agriculture.
The group on good governance, transparency, and integrity has already begun working together in preparation for Nigeria's upcoming 2011 elections.
The United States and United Kingdom are jointly committed to working with civil society groups on voter education and election monitoring, and Under Secretary Maria Otero will return to Nigeria at the end of this month to follow-up on election preparations with the Independent National Election Commission.
In June, the energy and investment working group also met to discuss electricity generation and managing Nigeria's energy resources, including gas, oil, and renewables. Revenue from Nigeria's oil reserves should be used to promote sustainable, broad-based prosperity for all Nigerians. And today I was very pleased to inform the foreign minister that the United States will provide $1.5 million in technical support to help meet Nigeria's power sector priorities.
And today I am pleased to announce the next step in our Binational Commission focusing on our third priority.
So this September, the Niger Delta and regional security working group will convene here in Washington to discuss ways to resolve the grievances of people living in the Niger Delta and strengthen our coordination on regional security issues, which the minister and I discussed, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea. Strong institutions and sound strategies for economic development, infrastructure, environmental protection, and the delivery of social services are necessary for progress in the Niger Delta.
So we are making a lot of progress together, and we'll continue to work with Nigeria. Nigeria will be celebrating 50 years of independence October 1st. And we applaud the Nigerian people for all that you have accomplished during the past 50 years. We want to work with you to build on the success so that it becomes even more of a success story. And thank you again, Minister, for your leadership and your partnership on these important matters.
Foreign Minister Ajumogobia. Thank you very much, Secretary Clinton. And I'm really delighted to be here, and I want to thank you for a very warm reception and for the partnership. The Binational Commission is an important landmark for us in Nigeria in terms of the relationship between Nigeria and the United States. It, I think, will elevate and deepen the relationship our two countries have.
I have come with a message of open optimism from Nigeria. We are—we have a new government that's stable, and I think I should also acknowledge the role the United States played in bringing about that stability and President Jonathan. And he has committed to what you described about Kenya. That's what we want for ourselves in Nigeria, free and fair elections in which every vote counts. And the president has committed to this and has taken steps to demonstrate that commitment.
We have a new electoral law; the Electoral Law 2010 that's been passed that provides a new framework that will support free and fair elections in Nigeria. We have a new electoral commission headed by a man of integrity. It's very unusual to find one individual that no one criticizes. But we managed to do that with Professor Jega who is the new chairman of the—our new independent electoral commission.
We're on course for the new time table for the elections. That suggests that the elections will take place sometime in January, 2011. It's a tight time frame and a lot has to be done in that time. But we are on course and I will say again on behalf of our president that we will meet the benchmarks—global benchmarks for credible elections. The other issue we talked about, the Niger Delta, which is—I happen to come from that region. And so I'm particularly interested in ensuring peace and security and prosperity in the region that produces the commodity that has sustained Nigeria's economy for 50 years.
I look forward to the meeting in Washington in June. I hope to be able to look in on that meeting and hope that we can make as much progress in that area as we have done with the other meetings on good governance, transparency, integrity, and energy and investment. I hope that our partnership will endure and that we will be able to build on what we have. The elections, of course, are an important milestone and I want to assure you all that we're committed to ensuring free and fair elections.
Thank you.
Q. My question is focused on Nigeria's democracy. And it's obvious that the leadership desires to have a sustained democracy in Nigeria. But I want to know in what areas the United States really wants to assist Nigeria to make sure that it's credible and sustained. I'm worried about a sustained democracy in Nigeria. In what area will the United States assist?
Secretary Clinton. Well, as the minister and I discussed, the United States has offered assistance and we stand ready to be of help in any way that is appropriate. We're working with the United Kingdom on some of the preparations for the elections. But ultimately, we recognize that the sustainability of democracy lies in the hands of the Nigerian people.
I am very optimistic about Nigeria's future. I think Nigeria has a tremendous potential. But I do believe over the last 50 years—30 of which, as the minister reminded me, were under military rule—has undermined the progress that the Nigerian people are capable of making for themselves.
So the appointment of the new election commission, the appointment of a well-respected chair, the steps that he and the commission are taking, the commitment by President Jonathan to a free, fair, credible election, all of those are very important commitments and we're going to stand ready to assist in any way that we can. Because we want for Nigeria what you have described—a sustainable democracy, elections that are free, fair, and credible, and then strong democratic institutions.
Foreign Minister Ajumogobia. And if I might add to that, I see elections in Nigeria, free and fair elections in Nigeria, are in Nigeria's own interest. The commitment is not because the United States has asked us to do this, but because it's in our own interest to do so. We welcome whatever support in terms of training, training support for those who ad hoc (inaudible) personnel who are going to be conducting elections. We welcome support in logistics. It's a large country. The United States is a large country, there's a lot of experience that you have in conducting elections over a very long period. We haven't had that tradition for much of our—much of the last 50 years.
But I see this in the context of a condition precedent, if you like, for us to deepen the relationships we have with the United States. And so we will do what we have to do to ensure that we are respected and that our processes are respected, and so that our leadership is respected.
Secretary Clinton. Thank you.
White House Statement, August 13, 2010Footnote 10
We congratulate the people of Rwanda on their national election on August 9. We note reports from the National Electoral Commission that official results have been tallied and President Paul Kagame won reelection with roughly 93% of the vote.
We remain concerned, however, about a series of disturbing events prior to the election, including the suspension of two newspapers, the expulsion of a human rights researcher, the barring of two opposition parties from taking part in the election, and the arrest of journalists.
Democracy is about more than holding elections. A democracy reflects the will of the people, where minority voices are heard and respected, where opposition candidates run on the issues without threat or intimidation, where freedom of expression and freedom of the press are protected.
No one should underestimate the enormous challenges born of the genocide in 1994. Rwanda's progress in the face of these challenges has been remarkable, and is a testament to the people of Rwanda. Rwanda's stability and growing prosperity, however, will be difficult to sustain in the absence of broad political debate and open political participation.
We have expressed our concerns to the Government of Rwanda, and we hope the leadership will take steps toward more democratic governance, increased respect for minority and opposition views, and continued peace.
We recognize the responsibility of the electoral commission to handle any election complaints fairly and promptly and we look forward to their resolution.
Statement by President Obama, August 27, 2010Footnote 11
President Obama. I congratulate Kenya on the promulgation of the new constitution, which was approved by a majority of voters on August 4, 2010. This historic approval and signing of the constitution is an important step forward, and demonstrates the commitment of Kenya's leaders and people to a future of unity, democracy, and equal justice for all—even the powerful. With this Constitution, the people of Kenya have set a positive example for all of Africa and the world.
Today represents a moment of promise for Kenya, similar to the early days of independence—a new moment of promise that must be seized to usher in an era of progress for the Kenyan people. The United States looks forward to partnering with Kenya as it moves through the multi-year process of implementing the new constitution. We share the expectations of the Kenyan people that this process will usher in an era of deepened democracy and expanded economic opportunity for all Kenyans.
I am disappointed that Kenya hosted Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir in defiance of International Criminal Court arrest warrants for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. The Government of Kenya has committed itself to full cooperation with the ICC, and we consider it important that Kenya honor its commitments to the ICC and to international justice, along with all nations that share those responsibilities. In Kenya and beyond, justice is a critical ingredient for lasting peace.
Statement by Secretary of State Clinton, September 21, 2010Footnote 12
Secretary Hillary Clinton delivered this statement in New York City, NY
Secretary Clinton. In a September 17 letter to Sudanese First Vice President Salva Kiir and Second Vice President Ali Osman Taha, the United States, Norway, and the United Kingdom, as members of the Sudan Troika, commended recent progress on preparations for Southern Sudan's referendum, and called on the CPA parties to take swift action to ensure that peaceful referenda take place on time, in a manner consistent with the will of the people of Southern Sudan and Abyei.
There remains an enormous amount to be done and work must be accelerated to make up for lost time. We have highlighted to the parties that it is their responsibility to ensure that the Commission moves quickly to take critical decisions on further preparations, including most immediately: finalizing an operational plan and budget; agreeing on voter registration criteria and procedures; and hiring and training of registration workers, among other things.
We look forward to joining the CPA parties and international partners in New York this week at the UN General Assembly for continued dialogue on these critical issues and to demonstrate our sustained support to the process.
Remarks by President Obama, September 24, 2010Footnote 13
President Barack Obama delivered these remarks at the United Nations in New York City, New York
President Obama. Good afternoon. Mr. Secretary General, on behalf of us all, thank you for convening this meeting to address the urgent situation in Sudan that demands the attention of the world.
At this moment, the fate of millions of people hangs in the balance. What happens in Sudan in the days ahead may decide whether a people who have endured too much war move forward towards peace or slip backwards into bloodshed. And what happens in Sudan matters to all of sub-Saharan Africa, and it matters to the world.
I want to thank Vice President Taha and First Vice President Kiir for being here.
To my fellow leaders from Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Asia—your presence sends an unmistakable message to the Sudanese people and to their leaders that we stand united. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended the civil war must be fully implemented. The referenda on self-determination scheduled for January 9th must take place—peacefully and on time, the will of the people of South Sudan and the region of Abyei must be respected, regardless of the outcome.
We are here because the leaders of Sudan face a choice. It's not the choice of how to move forward to give the people of Sudan the peace they deserve. We already know what needs to be done. The choice is for Sudanese leaders—whether they will have the courage to walk the path. And the decision cannot be delayed any longer.
Despite some recent progress, preparations for the referenda are still behind schedule. Now, the vote is only a little more than a hundred days away. And tragically, as has already been referred to, a recent spike in violence in Darfur has cost the lives of hundreds of more people.
So the stakes are enormous. We all know the terrible price paid by the Sudanese people the last time north and south were engulfed in war: some two million people killed. Two million people. Millions more left homeless; millions displaced to refugee camps, threatening to destabilize the entire region. Separately, in Darfur, the deaths of hundreds of thousands shocked the conscience of the world. This is the awful legacy of conflict in Sudan—the past that must not become Sudan's future.
That is why, since I took office, my administration has worked for peace in Sudan. In my meetings with world leaders, I've urged my counterparts to fully support and contribute to the international effort that is required. Ambassador Susan Rice has worked tirelessly to build a strong and active coalition committed to moving forward. My special envoy, General Gration, has worked directly with the parties in his 20 visits to the region.
We've seen some progress. With our partners, we've helped to bring an end to the conflict between Sudan and Chad. We've worked urgently to improve humanitarian conditions on the ground. And we're leading the effort to transform the Sudan People's Liberation Army into a professional security force, including putting an end to the use of children as soldiers.
Recognizing that southern Sudan must continue to develop and improve the lives of its people—regardless of the referendum's outcome—we and the U.N. mission are helping the government of southern Sudan improve the delivery of food and water and health care and strengthen agriculture.
And most recently, we've redoubled our efforts to ensure that the referenda takes place as planned. Vice President Biden recently visited the region to underscore that the results of the referenda must be respected. Secretary Clinton has engaged repeatedly with Sudanese leaders to convey our clear expectations. We've increased our diplomatic presence in southern Sudan—and mobilized others to do the same—to prepare for the January 9th vote and for what comes after.
But no one can impose progress and peace on another nation. Ultimately, only Sudanese leaders can ensure that the referenda go forward and that Sudan finds peace. There's a great deal of work that must be done, and it must be done quickly.
So two paths lay ahead: one path taken by those who flout their responsibilities and for whom there must be consequences—more pressure and deeper isolation.
The other path is taken by leaders who fulfill their obligations, and which would lead to improved relations between the United States and Sudan, including supporting agricultural development for all Sudanese, expanding trade and investment, and exchanging ambassadors, and eventually, working to lift sanctions—if Sudanese leaders fulfill their obligations.
Now is the time for the international community to support Sudanese leaders who make the right choice. Just as the African nations of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development rose to the challenge and helped the parties find a path to peace in 2005, all of us can do our part to ensure that the Comprehensive Peace Agreement is fully implemented.
We must promote dignity and human rights throughout all of Sudan, and this includes extending the mandate of the U.N. independent expert of Sudan—because we cannot turn a blind eye to the violation of basic human rights. And as I said, regardless of the outcome of the referenda, we must support development in southern Sudan, because people there deserve the same dignity and opportunities as anyone else.
And even as we focus on advancing peace between north and south, we will not abandon the people of Darfur. The government of Sudan has recently pledged to improve security and living conditions in Darfur—and it must do so. It need not wait for a final peace agreement. It must act now to halt the violence and create the conditions—access and security—so aid workers and peacekeepers can reach those in need and so development can proceed. Infrastructure and public services need to be improved. And those who target the innocent—be they civilians, aid workers or peacekeepers—must be held accountable.
Progress toward a negotiated and definitive end to the conflict is possible. And now is the moment for all nations to send a strong signal that there will be no time and no tolerance for spoilers who refuse to engage in peace talks.
Indeed, there can be no lasting peace in Darfur—and no normalization of relations between Sudan and the United States — without accountability for crimes that have been committed. Accountability is essential not only for Sudan's future, it also sends a powerful message about the responsibilities of all nations that certain behavior is simply not acceptable in this world; that genocide is not acceptable. In the 21st century, rules and universal values must be upheld.
I saw the imperative of justice when I visited one of the camps in Chad several years ago. It was crowded with more than 15,000 people, most of them children. What I saw in that camp was heartbreaking—families who had lost everything, surviving on aid. I'll never forget the man who came up to me—a former teacher who was raising his family of nine in that camp. He looked at me and he said very simply, “We need peace.” We need peace.
Your Excellencies—Vice President Taha, First Vice President Kiir—the Sudanese people need peace. And all of us have come together today because the world needs a just and lasting peace in Sudan.
Here, even as we confront the challenges before us, we can look beyond the horizon to the different future that peace makes possible. And I want to speak directly to the people of Sudan, north and south. In your lives you have faced extraordinary hardship. But now there's the chance to reap the rewards of peace. And we know what that future looks like. It's a future where children, instead of spending the day fetching water, can go to school—and come home safe. It's a future where families, back in their homes, can once again farm the soil of their ancestors.
It's a future where, because their country has been welcomed back into the community of nations, more Sudanese have the opportunity to travel, more opportunity to provide education, more opportunities for trade. It's a future where, because their economy is tied to the global economy, a woman can start a small business, a manufacturer can export his goods, a growing economy raises living standards, from large cities to the most remote village.
This is not wide-eyed imagination. This is the lesson of history—from Northern Ireland to the Balkans, from Camp David to Aceh—that with leaders of courage and vision, compromise is possible, and conflicts can be ended. And it is the example of Africans—from Liberia to Mozambique to Sierra Leone—that after the darkness of war, there can be a new day of peace and progress.
So that is the future that beckons the Sudanese people—north and south, east and west. That is the path that is open to you today. And for those willing to take that step, to make that walk, know that you will have a steady partner in the United States of America.
Thank you very much
