Clinton restates US commitment to Africa
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| Hillary Clinton |
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was in Senegal at the start
of her whistle-stop tour of seven African countries on Tuesday, has
reiterated her country’s commitment to literally improving sustainable
partnerships with the continent.
Mrs Clinton was speaking to an audience of over 1000 people from different walks of life at an auditorium in Dakar’s Cheikh Anta Diop University on Wednesday.
According to the US official, her Africa tour will be focusing on the crux of the Obama administration's core commitment to the continent, encapsulated in its 2012 Africa policy which involves strengthening democratic institutions, stimulating economic growth, facilitating exchanges and investments, bolstering peace and security and promoting opportunities for development.
She said "building sustainable partnerships" with African states was an imperative if the United States strategy for sub-Saharan Africa was to realise what she called these interdependent pillars.
Mrs. Clinton insisted on a sustained partnership that adds value to the US-Africa relations instead of assuming a one-sided approach which would leave her country determining what was required for countries on the continent.
“The US is determined to work with countries and essentially listen and learn about the peculiar needs of those African countries with a view to producing the desired results together” she remarked.
According to her what Africa needs was partnership not patronage, she reemphasised, pointing out in the same breath that “sustainable development hinges on political leaders making informed choices to fight corruption, create jobs, prioritise investment in health and education, introduce a fair tax system and transparent budgeting”.
She insisted on the necessity of the US’s enduring efforts to encourage democracy and human rights reforms in African countries.
“There cannot be effective economic liberalisation when there is no political liberalisation with democracy as the key building block to realise economic growth” she warned.
The US Secretary of State, encouraged business concerns in her country to venture in Africa and invest, given that seven out of the ten fastest growing economies of the world are found on the continent.
She said the Obama administration will ensure the idea of a resurgent Africa brimming with economic opportunities gain wide currency across the United States.
According to Mrs. Clinton economic growth should be translated into widespread prosperity and avert a situation where resources are embezzled by a small clique.
She also encouraged greater regional economic integration between Africa, Latin America and Asia given that growth was bound to be faster in the event of intra-Africa trade.
“If you look at barriers to growth in Africa many of them are barriers that exist between and among neighbours,” she said adding that if countries and regions in Africa traded among themselves, growth will be even faster with mineral and energy resources contributing to improving the lives of local populations.
After Senegal, Clinton is scheduled to visit South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, and South Africa and Ghana between 31 July and 10 August, sources told APA.
Mrs Clinton was speaking to an audience of over 1000 people from different walks of life at an auditorium in Dakar’s Cheikh Anta Diop University on Wednesday.
According to the US official, her Africa tour will be focusing on the crux of the Obama administration's core commitment to the continent, encapsulated in its 2012 Africa policy which involves strengthening democratic institutions, stimulating economic growth, facilitating exchanges and investments, bolstering peace and security and promoting opportunities for development.
She said "building sustainable partnerships" with African states was an imperative if the United States strategy for sub-Saharan Africa was to realise what she called these interdependent pillars.
Mrs. Clinton insisted on a sustained partnership that adds value to the US-Africa relations instead of assuming a one-sided approach which would leave her country determining what was required for countries on the continent.
“The US is determined to work with countries and essentially listen and learn about the peculiar needs of those African countries with a view to producing the desired results together” she remarked.
According to her what Africa needs was partnership not patronage, she reemphasised, pointing out in the same breath that “sustainable development hinges on political leaders making informed choices to fight corruption, create jobs, prioritise investment in health and education, introduce a fair tax system and transparent budgeting”.
She insisted on the necessity of the US’s enduring efforts to encourage democracy and human rights reforms in African countries.
“There cannot be effective economic liberalisation when there is no political liberalisation with democracy as the key building block to realise economic growth” she warned.
The US Secretary of State, encouraged business concerns in her country to venture in Africa and invest, given that seven out of the ten fastest growing economies of the world are found on the continent.
She said the Obama administration will ensure the idea of a resurgent Africa brimming with economic opportunities gain wide currency across the United States.
According to Mrs. Clinton economic growth should be translated into widespread prosperity and avert a situation where resources are embezzled by a small clique.
She also encouraged greater regional economic integration between Africa, Latin America and Asia given that growth was bound to be faster in the event of intra-Africa trade.
“If you look at barriers to growth in Africa many of them are barriers that exist between and among neighbours,” she said adding that if countries and regions in Africa traded among themselves, growth will be even faster with mineral and energy resources contributing to improving the lives of local populations.
After Senegal, Clinton is scheduled to visit South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, and South Africa and Ghana between 31 July and 10 August, sources told APA.
First published on 1August 2012 on apanews.net
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