United States Africa Command

Public Affairs Office

2 August 2010

USAFRICOM - related news stories

TOP NEWS RELATED TO U.S. AFRICA COMMAND AND AFRICA

What the US Should Do About Eritrea (Ethiopian Journal)

(Eritrea) In 2007 the Bush administration launched a separate military command whose
sole focus is Africa. AFRICOM, which is actually currently headquartered in Stuttgart,
Germany, was setup after a thought process that includes “acknowledging the
emerging strategic importance of Africa” according to the official website.

Upcoming Conference 'to Make the Connection' between U.S. and Continent - Hope
Masters (AllAfrica.com)
(Pan Africa) The Leon H. Sullivan Foundation Africa Policy Forum: a Vision for the
21st Century to be held in Atlanta in September, aims to help build a U.S.-Africa
dialogue based on mutual respect and mutual benefit.

Nigeria's foreign minister to meet U.S. secretary of state next week (Xinhua)
(Nigeria) Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs Odien Ajumogobia and the U.S.
Secretary of State Hilary Clinton are to meet in Washington D.C. next week, a statement
reaching here said.

Congressional Leaders Unveil New Legislation on Zimbabwe (The Zimbabwean)

(Zimbabwe) Africa Action, the oldest human rights organization focused exclusively
on Africa, celebrates the introduction of the Zimbabwe Renewal Act of 2010 (H.R. 5971)
in the House of Representatives.

Keep peace! Don't enforce it, AU tells Amisom, Uganda (The East African)
(Somalia) While the denial of mandate was officially given the face of the United
Nations, The EastAfrican has separately learned that in classic cloak-and-dagger
fashion, the United States, while overtly promising more resources and support to
Amisom, was behind the scenes prodding the UN to say no to Uganda’s request.

UN-AU peace force in Darfur to stay for another year (AFP)

(Sudan) The UN Security Council on Friday extended by a year the mandate of a joint
UN-African Union force in strife-torn Darfur, stressing the need to protect civilians and
ensure safe humanitarian access.

Mugabe lets fly at critics, saying West can go to hell (Irish Times)
(Zimbabwe) Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe angrily criticised Europe and the
US yesterday during a speech at the state funeral of his close ally and sister Sabrina,
saying “to hell” with those who were opposed to his rule.

Kenyans to Vote on Controversial Constitution (Wall Street Journal)

(Kenya) Kenyans will vote on a controversial new constitution in a referendum on
Wednesday—the latest step in a series of efforts by the nation's leaders to bring political
change to their country to quell tribal tensions.

Central African Republic to go to polls in January (AFP)

(Central African Republic) Presidential and parliamentary elections will take place in
the Central African Republic next January 23, President Francois Bozize decreed on
Friday.

Zanzibar Approves Power-Sharing in Referendum (Voice of America)

(Tanzania) Voters on the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar have voted to allow rival parties
to form a coalition government after the upcoming October elections.

UN News Service Africa Briefs

Full Articles on UN Website
 UN official praises Rwandan police officers in Liberia for professionalism
 UN official warns terrorism and organized crime increasingly linked in Africa
 Darfur: UN-African Union peacekeeping force extended as tensions rise
 UN chief expresses deep sadness after boat capsizing in DR Congo
 UN rushing aid to flood-stricken areas of north-western DR Congo
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UPCOMING EVENTS OF INTEREST:

WHEN/WHERE: Tuesday, August 3, 3:00 p.m., Ronald Reagan Building

WHAT: 2010 AGOA Forum on U.S.-sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic
Cooperation Secretary
WHO: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addresses the AGOA Forum
Info: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2010/07/145454.htm

WHEN/WHERE: Wednesday, August 4, 12:00, Council on Foreign Relations

WHAT: A Conversation with Henry Odein Ajumogobia, Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Federal Republic of Nigeria
WHO: Moderated by Princeton Lyman, Adjunct Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies,
Council on Foreign Relations
Info: http://www.cfr.org/region/143/africa.html
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FULL ARTICLE TEXT

What the US Should Do About Eritrea (Ethiopian Journal)

In 2006, US-backed Ethiopia invaded Somalia and removed from power the Islamic
Courts Union, which it perceived as a brewing threat. To the United States, it was
another extension of the global war on terror and it openly backed the invasion,
claiming that the Islamic Courts were harboring terrorists responsible for the bombing
of US embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam. Both Ethiopia and the US subsequently
supported the creation of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, which all the
US allies in the neighborhood – including Kenya, Uganda and Djibouti – supported and
regional and international organizations including, IGAD, the African Union and the
United Nations blessed.

The regime in Eritrea, which bet all its cards on defeating Ethiopia and prevailing as a
winner over the never-resolved border war of 1998-2000, saw the opportunity to open a
proxy front in Somalia with the aim creating quandary for Ethiopia that would usurp its
military capability, while simultaneously creating havoc by arming and motivating
anyone who has an axe to grind with the ruling party in Addis Ababa. As far as a Sub-
Saharan military and political tit-for-tat goes, it was a gutsy, albeit foolhardy move on
the Eritrean part, but given the history of how conflicts are handled in the region,
probably not a surprising one. For the millions of residents of Somalia though, it was
indeed business as usual and there is nothing they could do except brace for impact and
deal with the consequences.

Five years later, Eritrea has nothing to show for its foolish adventure save for inching
toward a pariah state, huge inflation, rampant military desertion, diplomatic isolation,
UN Security Council sanction and domestic tension unseen since its independence.
Any rational thinking mind would have seen this coming long time ago, but for the
egoistic tyrant in Eritrea, it was a way of proving to his supporters and adversaries alike
that he was more than a petty dictator. By pulling the right strings–so he thought–he
could be a formidable foe not only to Ethiopia but to the United States foreign policy in
Africa as well. He availed the country’s strategic location and diplomatic resources to
anyone with anti-American sentiments and became a liaison for the likes of Iran, Libya
and various extremists and misfits of the region. With every failed attempt to play the
role of a spoiler in the region, Isaias Afworki has been upping the ante and proving to
the world that he is willing to do whatever it takes to blackmail everyone into agreeing
with him.

The powers that be, including the United States and its allies in the region have so far
opted to use the AU and UN to contain the dictator. For the most part, that policy has
worked, at least until now. Except for the poor people of Eritrea, who are silently
suffering daily under the repressive police state, no one else seems to have felt the brunt
of this brutal system –yet. But so long as Isaias and his Neo-Communists are in power,
they will continue to wreak havoc in the region, negatively affect the stability of
governments in the fragile Horn of Africa and directly challenge US national security
and other interests.
Now, could a small desperately poor African state actually carry out all these and
threaten the interests of the sole super power of the world and its allies? The answer is,
yes. Yes, if it is willing to use the ugly power of terrorism directly or via surrogates. So
far, the Isaias regime has repeatedly shown its willingness to go that far. To this day, it
has neither denounced the activities of the terror groups such as the Al-Qaeda linked
Al-Shabaab, nor has it stopped given them political support. Case in point: after the
July 11th terrorist attacks in Kampla, Uganda that left 76 people dead, including 7
Eritreans, instead of denouncing Al-Shabaab (which gladly took the credit) and vowing
to bring the responsible to justice for killing innocent Eritrean citizens, the regime chose
to up its propaganda on its state-owned media and foolishly tried to spin Al-Shabaab’s
image as a bona fide Somali resistance movement. In the mean time, another milestone
toward the impending disaster has been reached. Eritrea-backed terrorists have now
killed Eritreans, Ethiopians, Ugandans and one American. So much for the policy of
containment! The next Al-Shabaab bomb can go boom in Addis Ababa, Nairobi,
Kampala, or even in New York, DC or Los Angeles.

There is nothing much American diplomats can do about those bent to kill innocent
civilians to prove a point, but it is high time that they take concrete steps that show they
have done their best to prevent them.

This is not a call for a preemptive strike aimed at the Eritrean regime. That would be
irresponsible and the repercussions far reaching. What is needed is not military might,
but skillful, focused and stern strategy that works. But first, what is the US foreign
policy in Africa anyway?

AFRICOM

In 2007 the Bush administration launched a separate military command whose sole
focus is Africa. AFRICOM, which is actually currently headquartered in Stuttgart,
Germany, was setup after a thought process that includes “acknowledging the
emerging strategic importance of Africa” according to the official website. There are
honest critics in the United States, in Africa and within the international community
that are skeptical about the mission, which among other things provides military aide
and training to friendly states. Whether this is actually designed to put a check on
China whose hunger for resources has made Africa very important, or to protect and
control the flow of oil for the United States is debatable. But, what is undeniable is that
the mission continues to grow in size and importance. President Obama must have
liked where things are heading as he has tripled AFRICOM’s annual budget which now
stands at $300 million.

Those whose knee jerk reaction is to oppose every American foreign policy initiative
may not ever be convinced, but the mission so far is viewed to be successful. It has
created tremendous opportunities not only to professionalize militaries but also to keep
aid flowing and help with creating basic infrastructure. The Africa Standby Force that
AFRICOM is helping revamp might even prevent the next Rwanda or Darfur. In the
Horn of Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Djibouti have greatly benefited from their
alliance with the US and their ability to channel the resources it brings to each country
be it via the Pentagon or the State Department.

The Eritrean regime is vehemently opposed to AFRICOM’s mission, not only because it
tips the military balance in favor of Ethiopia (it definitely did 2006 – present), but also
because it does not mesh well with the system that it is trying to create within the
country and even the entire region. Phrases like “self-reliance” and “social-justice” are
the new euphemisms that the Isaias Afworki regime is using to sugarcoat its
governance system, but it essentially is a Maoist communism, an African North Korea.
Notwithstanding the PR labels, for more than 15 years now, it has been trying to create
in Eritrea a system that everyone thought failed with the collapse of the Soviet Union.
One-man, one-party rule; full command of commerce; total militarization of society;
control of travel and movement; banning of the private press; meddling in religious
affairs; and total absence of the rule of law are characteristics of godless communists.
The core of their principle is the total submission of the individual to the spooky state;
and this principle is diametrically opposed to the values of civil rights, democracy and
rule of law. Therefore, it’s no wonder that the Eritrean regime looks at the United States
and its African mission as its natural enemy.

Especially in the past few years, the dictator of Eritrea has been engaged in concerted
propaganda efforts to convince the Eritrean public that America is the cause of all their
suffering. Even though it is abundantly clear that most, if not all, of the failures can be
traced to the unelected tyrant’s ill-advised policies and misadventures, the regime has
been distorting facts and telling half truths aimed at creating a convenient scapegoat. By
tapping into emotional sentiments and fanning conspiracy theories it has somehow
succeeded in creating an atmosphere that at best mistrusts the United States and at
worst views America’s intentions as hostile. Again, great miscalculation, but this aura
has given the PFDJ ruling clique a false sense of confidence in which it thinks it would
be acceptable to pal around with world renowned terrorist that have publicly vowed to
kill Americans.

By design or miscalculation, slowly but surely, the despot has positioned Eritrea’s
foreign policy to squarely collide with that of the United States’. If the status quo is
maintained, and things are allowed to continue to where they seemingly are headed,
dangerous and totally uncalled for disaster looms in the horizon. In the event of a
terrorist attack by Somalia based groups with links to Al-Qaeda or Al-Shabaab, and if
such an attack ends up killing Americans, the anger and call for retaliation and revenge
will include those who encourage them. And Eritrea will end up being a target faster
than its foolish leaders can say: “prove it!”
As an immigrant in America who enjoys the opportunities this great country has to
offer, and as one who cherishes its democratic values, my dreamy ideal is that one day
my home country will be as great as my adopted one. And my nightmare? The
opposite of that of course…and that my two countries will be on a collision course and I
will have to face the inevitable dilemma –the emotional type, if not the intellectual one.

But we do know that this is a false choice, because the Eritrean people and America
people (and their elected officials) are not in conflict whatsoever! The Eritrean people
have no dog in this fight, not only because they never get to choose their leaders but
also the value that they espouse is very close to that of Americans’. Love of freedom,
equality and tolerance are highly treasured by the average Eritrean. And for the tens of
thousands of us who proudly call ourselves Eritrean-Americans, the hyphen in the
middle stands for a cherished bond that only those who are deprived of their liberty for
generations can possibly know. Perhaps more than any group of immigrants and first
generation Americans, we understand that the simple freedoms are not to be taken for
granted. To us Eritrea and America are not merely countries but states of mind that
stand for independence, freedom and liberty. Thus, the two nations are natural allies,
with tyranny as their common enemy.

The people of Eritrea have absolutely no say what the self appointed leaders choose to
do and say. So, it wouldn’t be a stretch to conclude that, a gang of unenlightened
extremists have held hostage their own people and have become major contributors of
instability in East Africa, directly endangering the lives of millions and indirectly
threatening the interest and security of the United States.

So, What Should the United States Do?

Let me start by quoting one of the greatest speeches I have ever heard uttered by a
political leader.

“Today, America speaks anew to the peoples of the world:

All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know: the United States will not ignore
your oppression, or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for your liberty, we will
stand with you.

Democratic reformers facing repression, prison, or exile can know: America sees you for
who you are: the future leaders of your free country. ….The rulers of outlaw regimes
can know that we still believe as Abraham Lincoln did: “Those who deny freedom to
others deserve it not for themselves; and, under the rule of a just God, cannot long
retain it.”
The leaders of governments with long habits of control need to know: To serve your
people you must learn to trust them. Start on this journey of progress and justice, and
America will walk at your side.”

These beautiful words were part of a speech made not by the greatest orator and
wordsmith of our generation, President Barrack Obama, but they were actually spoken
by his predecessor George W. Bush in his 2nd Inaugural Address in January, 2005.

President Obama had even more profound words that trigger warm and fuzzy feeling
about what is possible and what America stands for, and we’ve heard them.

The point is, it is easy to come up with words if they are not backed up by concrete
action. And every time that happens, credibility yields to hypocrisy. The fact of the
matter is the United States continues to “ignore oppression, and excuse oppressors”.
The oft repeated rationalization is that it has to operate between idealism and
pragmatism.

Sometimes though, there comes a time when an opportunity to be both pragmatic and
idealistic lends itself. Helping freedom deprived Eritreans and spreading the cause of
liberty is an ideal thing to do; and protecting the security and other national interests is
of course pragmatic. In this case, the two are intertwined and can no longer be viewed
as separate. It is high time that those responsible for implementing America’s policy
take steps that will help protect the country and garner good will among those who are
living in tyranny and hopelessness.

Reading a Tyrant’s Mind

If his past modus-operandi is any indication of what Isaias may be contemplating

today, it is to probably force the United States into cutting a deal with him, so he can
have the upper hand in matters that matter the entire Horn neighborhood. He almost
succeeded when the Bush Administration was looking for a base in the region just
before the invasion of Iraq. He positioned himself as an expert of how to conduct the
“war against terrorism”. Neo-conservatives like former Defense Secretary Donald
Rumsfeld were courting him around the year 2002, and the Eritrean regime lobbied
congress to setup a military base in Eritrea, which never materialized, and Djibouti was
eventually selected as the base for Camp Lemonier. Things turned even worse for the
dictator, as Ethiopia strengths its relationship with the United States and American
officials preferred to deal with the smooth operator Meles Zenawi than the
unpredictable and erratic Isaias Afeworki. And now, according to some credible
analysts, the United States is seriously considering moving AFRICOM’s headquarters to
Addis Ababa.

Isaias Afworki failures continue to mount: from the unresolved border ruling to
maintaining depomatic relationship with the powers that matter. The US, UN, EU, AU,
IGAD, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Uganda are firmly on one side; their combined and
separate power is of course insurmountable. Instead of changing courses toward
creating a democratic Eritrea that is governed by the rule of law and one that is united,
Isaias continues to tread along the edge of a cliff and into the abyss that includes
supporting desperados and fanatics like the Al-Shebaab group. It’s a losing battle and
he deserves to loose, but he should not be allowed to take down the Eritrean people and
their hard won independence and honorable name.

If Isaias Afworki’s aim had been to get attention of the United States, he sure has it now.

At this juncture, it would be a great mistake to assume that he would be a reliable

partner. His history, personality and innate hatred of anything that includes
democratic principles and rule of law do not allow him to be part of the solution. As a
matter of fact, he and a handful of his operators are part of the problem. They are the
only extremists Eritrea has and dislodging them from power will be akin to removing a
choke from a bottleneck.

Here are 3 strategies that will certainly have immediate impact.

1) Stern Warning and Smart Targeting

Listing Eritrea as a State Sponsor of Terrorism may sound like the next logical step and
one the Bush State Department tried to push; the Obama administration dangled as a
warning; and a few days ago Congressman Ed Royce (R - CA) recommended Secretary
Hilary Clinton do, in response to the Kampala bombing. But at the end of the day, that
will only give more notoriety to Isaias Afworki and may even enhance his ability to get
help from his would be peers on that list; not to mention, unnecessarily broad-brushing
an entire nation.

What is needed is the immediate implementation of the targeted sanction, under UNSC
Resolution 1907. That should include the dictator’s top lieutenants in his administration
and their financial enablers and enforcers in the West. President Obama’s Executive
Order 13536 that added Isaias Afewrki’s political advisor, Yemane “monkey” Gebreab,
to the list of sanctioned persons is a move in the right direction but would be rendered
ineffective if it is not targeting the entire gang.

It is also about time someone from Congress, the State Department or Pentagon pays
Isaias Afeworki a personal visit and in no uncertain terms tell him what the United
States’ reaction would be in the event that US citizens are killed by any of the Somali
groups he is supporting now or in the past, no matter what kind of support that may be
–political, material, monetary, diplomatic or otherwise. The days, that this was a
hypothetical scenario are behind us. The bombing in Kampala was a major mile stone.
There remain many US-born Somalis who have recently disappeared and it is largely
feared that they are being indoctrinated by extremists into committing terrorist acts in
the United Sates. The Eritrean regime must be forced to publicly denounce Al-Shebaab
and its association with it –for that is the only insurance that it may have left to avoid
military reaction. And for us Eritrean-Americans, it’s about protecting our loved ones
on both sides of the Atlantic.

2) Protecting Eritrea’s Refugees

Eritrea under Isaias Afeworki’s rule has not only become the biggest trouble maker in
the Horn Africa, but also one of the biggest producers of refugees. It’s abundantly clear
that the two are interconnected. Innocent Eritreans asylum seekers are currently
suffering under precarious conditions around the globe. The long term solution to this
problem may be to eliminate the factors that are making them flee their country, but for
those who are desperately looking for help, time is running out and in most cases it is a
matter of life and death.

The United States can be a great help, especially by pressing the Egyptian, Sudanese,
Libyan and even Ethiopian authorities to improve the conditions of Eritrean refugees
within their territory. The poor refugees’ plight can be immediately alleviated by
simply expediting their asylum applications and working with their family members in
the US.

3) Empowering Democratic Reformers

Eritreans are not simply fleeing or waiting for someone else to solve their problem.
Most Eritreans already agree that regime change is the ultimate solution to the
country’s problem. Within the opposition movement, the widely accepted preferable
method is to push for revolution and reform by peaceful means. The Eritrean regime
has its ardent and vocal supporters, but the vast majority of Eritreans within the
country and abroad would be more than happy to see the end of the dictatorship.

Eritreans know that they are just pawns in the chess game of world politics. They know
everyone they come in contact with view and treat them as expendable. But now that
the interest of the international community and specifically the United States’ are
clearly mingled with that of the Eritrean people, the America must show that it will
walk on their side as they reclaim their fate and fight for democratization of their
country.

As of this writing, Eritreans from around the world are gathering in Addis Ababa under
the theme: National Conference for Democratic Change. The conference which is being
conducted under the auspices of the Eritrean Democratic Alliance (EDA), the umbrella
group of the opposition movement, seeks to unite Eritrean of different backgrounds. A
successful conclusion of the conference will be a giant stride for the organic
democratization movement and a clear message of support by the United States will be
a great shot in the arm.
This conference is likely to jump start other similar events around the globe which will
eventually encourage Eritreans to demand change within their own country. Along the
way, America must live up to its promise and duty to still be a beacon of hope for those
who are fighting to end oppression and tyranny. In his July 4th speech, American
Ambassador to Eritrea has artfully indicated that the when it comes to independence
and freedom, America’s position is pretty clear. I sincerely hope that Ronald
McMullen's and other American leaders understand that, there are people who actually
hear them and take their message to heart. Will the “country of the free” be there when
the downtrodden rise up against their oppressors? Will America stand with those who
stand for their liberty? Great speeches; but it’s time for bold action.

The Cost of Inaction

Conversely, an argument for staying the course, containing Isaias to keep barking in his
backyard, for ignoring the pleas of Eritrean refugees and underestimating the
impending threat can probably be made.

To a giant super power like the US, Eritrea’s dictator may be just a grass snake it can
easily ignore. But as he positions himself to wield more power by networking with
more and more extremists and amassing wealth from newly discovered gold mines, the
little snake will turn into a formidable serpent; and sooner or later, he will have to be
dealt with.
--------------------
Upcoming Conference 'to Make the Connection' between U.S. and Continent - Hope
Masters (AllAfrica.com)

The Leon H. Sullivan Foundation Africa Policy Forum: a Vision for the 21st Century to
be held in Atlanta in September, aims to help build a U.S.-Africa dialogue based on
mutual respect and mutual benefit. It will encompass cultural discourse as well as talks
on business and national security issues. Hope Masters, CEO of the Sullivan
Foundation, spoke with Saratu Abiola and Carine Umuhumuza of allAfrica.com about
what informed her approach to the conference, and what she would like to see in the
future regarding U.S.-Africa relations.

How does the conference tie in to what the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation is trying to
achieve?

Our overarching purpose is to build a bridge, to make the connection between African
Americans, in particular, but really people of the African Diaspora in general, to
connect us all back to the continent. Traditionally we have chartered planes and taken
people to the continent. We believe now that the bridge goes both ways. We've been
trying to get the bridge across to the continent but now with brilliant young people,
there's so many people coming back and forth.
We want to have, for the first time, our dialogue here in the states. We picked Atlanta
because it is, we believe, the hub of the civil rights movement. The historical energy in
Atlanta, the fact that Ambassador [Andrew] Young, who is our chairman and a dear
friend of my father, is so critical to Atlanta becoming such an international city. And
also because Atlanta is where all these black schools are. It's important that we get the
youth's perspective. We want to have a conference in Atlanta where we bring all these
different African leaders to where we can talk about fusing everything we have towards
the good of Africa.

Sullivan Foundation

Hope Masters, CEO of the Sullivan Foundation

Also, culturally, we're trying to enlighten and teach people here about what Africa
really is. The media is always giving us distorted perspectives on the continent. We
want to share real Africa with African Americans, in particular, [but also] the greater
Diaspora.

In the schedule of events, you begin with the Diaspora and the media before you start
talking about policy, conflict resolution and related events. It's an interesting pattern -
was it deliberate?

It is deliberate. It's because I also believe that a lot of the time these conferences can get
very heady and very academic and didactic and I don't want that. I want people to, first
of all, start out broad, which is for African Americans: 'What interest would I have in
the continent?' But for one thing if you determine that your DNA connects you there,
you are going to have a spiritual, emotional connection, number one. Then when you
realize that our roles as mothers, fathers, children and families are so connected to the
same roles with our families overseas.

And then we hit the media with the fact that all these years you've been getting
misinformation and mis-educated about the continent. Then again, you're like, 'Okay…'
and at the end of the week you're like, 'Now I'm interested in how we can turn that
around. What can we do from a policy perspective to use our resources here in the U.S.
to support the nations and the people of Africa?' That's why the rhythm of the
conference is like that.

I was interested in the way you introduce fact and fiction: the real Africa versus the
media's Africa. I was wondering if you could speak about how that affects policy, the
way that Africa policy is currently being shaped.

For one thing, Americans have a tendency to be very paternalistic towards the
continent. That's what you feel like if you raise somebody up or help somebody. The
whole aid argument … it's a paternalistic thing if you feel that you always have to help
[Africans], give them a handout. The reality is the nations of Africa are an investable
environment. Many of them are beyond where we are in certain areas. We're trying to
encourage the U.S. to partner and say, "We don't need you to give us a handout." Talk
to me like a man. Woman to woman. Man to man. Equals. Partners. We're trying to
engage policy makers and opinion makers to treat Africa as a partner, not as somebody
who is a basket case or needs your help in that way, which is how they treat Africa.

If you had a scorecard for the administration of President Barack Obama … We've had a
year to see how its Africa policy has been playing out. Are you satisfied thus far?

I would love for the Africa Policy Forum in Atlanta to be an opportunity for the Obama
administration, in particular President Obama, to tell us what the administration's
Africa policy is. He has been busy on so many other things. I think that it needs to be
clarified. I would like for him to use this opportunity to talk about U.S. policy towards
Africa in front of the African leaders that we will have there.

Do you think that Obama's Africa policy is clear?

I think that there are so many different facets to it that your question is too broad.

A full day at the conference is going to be entirely on U.S. conflict relations; it spans
from conflict resolution to upping the investment. There are a lot of non-governmental
activists … [NGOs] have become really prominent lately and have done some great
work.

We, through the summits and through our different programmatic extensions, are
connected with the NGO community. This forum, in particular on Friday, is really
going to talk about policy, but during the week we are engaging those organizations.
Mo Ibrahim (of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation) is invited and other people to speak about
what they're doing. I believe they are critically important because so many of them
survive the different changes in government.

What about the importance of the African entrepreneurs? Do they also have a role to
play here, or is it just on a public sector level?

They are there throughout it all. They are critically important. East [Africa] finally got it
together with the trade protocol. [U.S. Secretary of State] Hillary Clinton is always
talking about how Africa needs to trade with itself. I think what's important is
infrastructure: transportation, rail. Africa can do so much among [its] countries but it's
all about infrastructure and reversing the patterns of not being able to trade among
themselves. It's insane. It could be so much simpler, but it takes so much money.

Again, I also think that goes back to how Africa and Africans have been portrayed over
many, many years and so there's been that reluctance to make that investment. We've
got to flip that. We were talking about it with Ambassador Young and somebody else a
few weeks ago. We had a map out talking about a rail system…you could take it all the
way through the continent. I think that is going to be critically important – also airlines
– so trade can be made easier among African countries.

Some of that is beginning. You have Lonrho that is working on aviation. There is an
infrastructure project to build a bridge linking Nigeria and Cameroon across the
Munaya River. There are already buses that travel between Guinea and Cameroon.
Generally, though, there seems to be a lot of attention to resources and investments and
less on infrastructure. The Chinese, on the other hand, seem to be focusing more on
infrastructure.

Yes, they are leaving something on the ground. There's definitely something to be said
for that. The other thing, what we are trying to do, is there are so many engineers and
[resources] like that here in the U.S. Take your skills back home and use everything that
we've learned here. The governments are looking for people with that expertise. So, it's
not up to the Germans and the Chinese and everybody else. The Diaspora is a
constituency and if we pulled together like other constituencies it's amazing what we
could do, the power that we could have.

I know that earlier we talked about Atlanta being a hub for youth. What role do youth
play in the conference?

With a student ID you can get in free… Students don't have any money. I believe
[students have] the greatest ideas, like an incubator in academic environments. And
they don't get into the rooms where these people are, because they are shut out either
by age, money to register or whatever. I'm throwing the door open for students. We're
going to allow the students to come in and be a part of these discussions… There is so
much potential among those kids and I want them to be able to share it… That to me is
important.
--------------------
Nigeria's foreign minister to meet U.S. secretary of state next week (Xinhua)

LAGOS, Nigeria - Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs Odien Ajumogobia and the U.S.
Secretary of State Hilary Clinton are to meet in Washington D.C. next week, a statement
reaching here said.

The meeting is coming two months after the working group on energy and investment
of the U.S.-Nigeria Bi-National Commission ( BNC) met to explore the renewable
energy and energy efficiency opportunities for Nigeria, it added.

Nigerian Ambassador to the United States Adebowale Adefuye said in the statement
that the high-level meeting is scheduled to discuss issues of mutual concern between
both countries within the framework of the BNC agreement.
The commission is a collaborative forum to build partnership for tangible and
measurable progress on issues critical to the two countries, the statement said.

The working group on good governance, transparency and integrity met in May in
Abuja, followed by the energy and investment group in Washington.

Both countries planned to meet in September in Washington to inaugurate the Niger

Delta and regional security cooperation working group of the commission.

Ajumogobia would feature at a forum organized by the Council on Foreign Relations

(CFR) to discuss U.S.-Nigeria relations, while in the United States.
--------------------
Congressional Leaders Unveil New Legislation on Zimbabwe (The Zimbabwean)

Africa Action, the oldest human rights organization focused exclusively on Africa,
celebrates the introduction of the Zimbabwe Renewal Act of 2010 (H.R. 5971) in the
House of Representatives.

Sponsored by Congressmen Payne, and cosponsored by over 35 members of Congress,

the new legislation aims to bring about a major shift in U.S. policy that is significant to
the democratic transition in Zimbabwe and aligns with the latest political and economic
developments on the ground.

Gerald LeMelle, executive director of Africa Action said, "This is a promising day for
everyone who supports democracy and development in Zimbabwe. The new
legislation is a major step forward for the people of Zimbabwe."

Africa Action, in conjunction with the Zimbabwe Alliance - a collaboration of like-

minded partners working within a human rights framework to promote a successful
democratic transition in Zimbabwe, has been working to bring about such a policy shift
in the U.S. government.

Michael Stulman, associate director for policy and communications added, "The House
of Representatives and Senate must work together now in light of the opportunity that
exists to build robust democratic institutions and strengthen democratic actors in
Zimbabwe."

Key provisions of the Zimbabwe Renewal Act of 2010 include:

• Establishing a multi-donor human rights trust fund and support crucial sectors, like
health care, education, agriculture, clean water and an emergency vocational work
program for youth in Zimbabwe
• Instructing the Secretary of the Treasury to forgive Zimbabwe's bilateral debt, and
in consultation with the Secretary of State, gather information on the feasibility and
advisability of restructuring, rescheduling, or eliminating such debt in the future
• Maintaining targeted sanctions against individuals who continue to undermine the
democratic processes and review and update existing sanctions to reflect changing
conditions on the ground
For more information and analysis on Zimbabwe, visit
http://www.africaaction.org/zimbabwe.html or visit the Zimbabwe Alliance website,
--------------------
Keep peace! Don't enforce it, AU tells Amisom, Uganda (The East African)

Ugandan officials were putting a brave face on a major setback to the government’s
plans for retaliatory action against Al Shabaab.

This was after the AU Summit that closed in Kampala last week failed to deliver the
desired change to Amisom’s mandate that would have given the peacekeepers the
resources and the licence to attack the Somali militants.

While the denial of mandate was officially given the face of the United Nations, The
EastAfrican has separately learned that in classic cloak-and-dagger fashion, the United
States, while overtly promising more resources and support to Amisom, was behind the
scenes prodding the UN to say no to Uganda’s request.

Uganda and its East African neighbours had hoped to leverage the outrage that
followed the July 11 twin bombings in Kampala that killed 85 people, to galvanise
international opinion to support more robust action against the militants in Mogadishu.

In an unexpected development however, the summit, which was notable for having
attracted no less than 35 heads of state — including key figures from North and
Southern Africa — backed away from authorising offensive action.

Instead, they adopted the UN position that the current mandate was sufficient for the
task at hand.

That position was communicated to the summit and Igad (Inter Governmental
Authority on Development) members by UN Special Envoy to Somalia and head of the
UN Political Office for Somalia, Augustine Mahiga.

The only concession, it would seem, was some slack in the leash that allows Amisom to
take pre-emptive action against Al Shabaab should a threat to its safety be perceived.

“It was Mahiga’s view that the existing mandate allows the forces on the ground to act
in a more responsible but robust fashion,” US Assistant Secretary for African Affairs
Jonnie Carson told the Ugandan media.
The United States and the United Nations warned that Uganda’s position would
escalate the Somali crisis to uncontrollable levels, a position that forced the AU back to
the drawing board, and the resolution that Amisom remain a peacekeeping mission for
the moment.

“In diplomacy, you go in with a long wish list but you don’t expect to get everything
you asked for. In the circumstances, this summit ended really well for us because we
achieved three major goals,” Uganda’s Junior Minister for Foreign Affairs Henry Okello
Oryem told The EastAfrican.

Those three achievements apparently include increased political will and international
focus on the Somalia problem, more countries committing troops to Amisom and
increased backing from the US. These unnamed countries are expected to break cover in
the next two weeks.

“The political will is now there, and three countries have shown serious commitment to
contribute troops to the mission, although they have asked us not to name them until
they have completed consultations back home.

Most importantly, we have the US fully behind us in terms of equipment, resources and
intelligence. With such support on board, Amisom will not be as constrained as it has
been,” Mr Oryem added.

While that assertion was consistent with what US Assistant Secretary for Africa Jonnie
Carson told the media on July 27 — that the US would continue to be a primary
supporter of Amisom — separately, The EastAfrican has been told that the US was the
real force behind the UN veto.

Sources say the US is worried that full-scale military action by Amisom will draw
Eritrea, which together with Yemen is believed to be Al Shabaab’s major backer, into a
more overt involvement in Somalia, which would in turn force Ethiopia into the
conflict.

“The possible scale of such a conflict, its fallout and implications for the US in terms of
the resources it would be expected to deploy, are factors that don’t allow Washington to
play a speculative game,” says one source.

Indeed, it has come to light that the Obama administration has firmly turned down
previous requests by Kampala for diplomatic cover for an all-out attack against Al
Shabaab. On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly last September, President
Yoweri Museveni made such a request in a meeting with President Obama, Secretary of
State Hillary Clinton and US ambassador to the UN Susan Rice.
“Obama was not forthcoming on the proposal and made this plain to Museveni,” says
our source.

In Kampala, Mr Carson alluded to this position when he told journalists that Somalia
was not a US project and it was time the international community woke up to its
responsibility and contributed to making the region safer.

Giving the example of piracy off the Somali coast, Mr Carson said of the 32 vessels that
had been hijacked in the region in the past two years, only one was US-flagged. Yet the
US continues to shoulder the burden of trying to keep the Gulf of Aden open to
international shipping.

While Uganda had been talking of a Plan B should its bid for a peace-enforcement
mandate be defeated, the mood in military circles is now one of resignation as officials
admit that the country does not have the capacity to execute such a mission single-
handed.

Uganda, afraid of failing to secure logistical support for the operation from funding
agencies like the UN, EU and the US, now says it will abide by the international
community’s position.

“We shall go by what Carson and the AU chairman said,” stated Lt-Gen Katumba
Wamala, Commander of Land Forces in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces.

Earlier, officials had said that Uganda could exercise the option of attacking Al Shabaab
under a bilateral arrangement with Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government. But
even this option was apparently based on anticipated material support from key
Western stakeholders.

“We no longer have the intention of pursuing a force operation. We shall go by what
the AU resolved. But we are at least comfortable that we could still achieve our mission
through the new rules of engagement,” a subdued Uganda Defence and Army
spokesman Lt-Col Felix Kulaigye said.

TFG Defence Minister Abukar Abdi Osman, who was in closed-door meetings with
several Ugandan officials since the AU Summit started, has also finally given up
lobbying for a change in the Amisom mandate.

“We have to accept the Igad position of immediately providing the 2,000 troops as we
wait for the adoption of the AU resolution,” he said.

Explaining the Summit’s decision to the media, AU Commission Chairman Jean Ping
said it was informed by the implications of what would be required in terms of financial
and military resources.
--------------------
UN-AU peace force in Darfur to stay for another year (AFP)

UNITED NATIONS — The UN Security Council on Friday extended by a year the

mandate of a joint UN-African Union force in strife-torn Darfur, stressing the need to
protect civilians and ensure safe humanitarian access.

The council's 15 ambassadors unanimously adopted a British-drafted resolution that

extends the mandate, which expires Saturday, to July 31, 2011.

The text said the mission, known as UNAMID, must "make full use of its mandate and
capabilities, giving priority in decisions about the use of available capacity and
resources to the protection of civilians in Darfur and ensuring safe, timely and
unhindered humanitarian access, the safety and security of humanitarian personnel."

It strongly condemned all attacks on UNAMID, underlining that "any attack or threat
on UNAMID is unacceptable."

UNAMID, which is nearing full deployment, with over 17,000 troops and more than
4,000 police now on the ground, has been the target of repeated attacks since first
deploying in the western Sudanese region January 2008.

On Tuesday, US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice expressed alarm at deteriorating

security in Darfur and demanded that the situation be "effectively addressed."

Fighting there killed nearly 600 people in May, with most of the casualties resulting
from renewed clashes between the Sudanese military and Darfur's most active rebel
group, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), according to UNAMID.

JEM, which had agreed a ceasefire with Khartoum in February, has since pulled out of
Qatari-hosted talks intended to end a seven-year war that the United Nations says has
killed about 300,000 people since 2003.

The Security Council also demanded that all parties to the Darfur conflict, including all
rebel groups, "immediately engage fully and constructively in the peace process
without preconditions... with a view to completing an inclusive and comprehensive
agreement."
--------------------
Mugabe lets fly at critics, saying West can go to hell (Irish Times)

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe angrily criticised Europe and the US yesterday
during a speech at the state funeral of his close ally and sister Sabrina, saying “to hell”
with those who were opposed to his rule.
The 86-year-old’s emotional outburst in front of thousands of mourners prompted US
ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray to leave the funeral. But President Obama’s
representative refused to comment about his early departure from Hero’s Acre shrine in
Harare, where Sabrina Mugabe was being buried following her death last week.

“We say to hell, hell, hell with them [Europe and the US]. They will not decide who is
going to lead the people of Zimbabwe,” Mr Mugabe said before adding that the
decision of his opponents to continue imposing sanctions against him and his allies was
hurting all Zimbabweans.

Western countries imposed financial sanctions on state firms, and travel restrictions on
Mr Mugabe and dozens of his associates about eight years ago, following disputed
elections and violent land seizures from white commercial farmers.

The formation of a transitional government in Zimbabwe two years ago between the
Movement for Democratic Change party and Mr Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party has failed to
convince Brussels and Washington to lift their sanctions.

“We are still being treated as if we don’t own this country. They want to tell us, do A, B
and C of that, remove so-and-so and they are now saying Mugabe must go first,” the
president said. “Whoever told them that their will is above that of the people of
Zimbabwe?”

Mr Mugabe also promised that Zimbabwe’s growing diamond wealth would benefit
the whole country rather than just a few local political leaders. “Diamonds should not
be pocketed by some individuals. They should help to improve the whole country.
Those with an appetite for individual aggrandisement, please blunt your appetite,” he
said.
--------------------
Kenyans to Vote on Controversial Constitution (Wall Street Journal)

NAIROBI, Kenya—Kenyans will vote on a controversial new constitution in a

referendum on Wednesday—the latest step in a series of efforts by the nation's leaders
to bring political change to their country to quell tribal tensions.

The U.S., eager to bring stability to a regional powerhouse and a strong ally in its fight
against terrorism, maintains a new constitution is central to that effort. U.S. officials,
including the Kenya ambassador, Michael Ranneberger, and Vice President Joseph
Biden, who visited Nairobi in June, have spoken at length about the importance of the
draft and the need for change. More than 1,300 people were killed in ethnic violence in
the country in early 2008.

"A new constitution, if it is adopted, will strengthen Kenya's democratic institutions,"

said Johnnie Carson, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for African affairs in a recent
interview. "We believe this is an opportunity for fundamental change, but the decision
for that change is in the hands of Kenyans."

'Yes' and 'No' Rallies in Nairobi

Kenyans are set to vote on a controversial new constitution in a referendum on

Wednesday, and both the "yes" and "no" camps rallied Sunday.

The draft provides for a more decentralized democracy that checks the power of the
president and establishes two houses of parliament. The current system of government
allows for an imperial presidency, where the executive branch holds most of the power.
Historically, whatever tribe has held executive power has become the primary
beneficiary of any government largesse.

The document also tackles the controversial issues of abortion, Islamic courts and land
distribution. It allows, for example, the state to seize property for the benefit of the state,
and gives parliament the mandate to enact land reform to address inequities and
corruption.

The draft was written by a committee of legal and other experts selected by parliament.

A July study by the Nairobi office of Synovate Ltd., a global market-research company,
said 58% of 6,005 registered voters surveyed would approve the constitution, with 17%
undecided. The margin of error is 1.6%.

The vote is expected to divide along tribal lines, as do most controversial issues in
Kenya. Two main tribes, the Kikuyu and Luo, generally favor the constitution because
their leaders are the country's president and the prime minister, who support the draft.
The Kalenjin group largely oppose the draft because their main political leader, William
Ruto, is against it.

The debate on the vote has been contentious—and briefly violent. In June, two
explosions ripped through an anticonstitution rally in a park outside downtown
Nairobi, killing at least five people and wounding dozens more. Authorities haven't
found the perpetrators. Both the "yes" and "no" camps blamed each other for the blasts,
heightening tensions between them.

Some Christian leaders also oppose the new constitution, criticizing its language on
abortion and the Islamic courts. They say its provision allowing abortions where the
mother's health is at risk is too permissive. They also oppose the recognition of
traditional Islamic courts that Kenya's Muslim minority use to resolve family and other
civil matters.
The Muslim community—estimated at about 18% of the population—largely supports
the draft.

A Christian American nonprofit group, the American Center for Law and Justice, which
recently opened an office in Kenya, has worked to educate voters on the abortion and
the Islamic-court provisions, according to Jordan Sekulow, the group's director of
international relations. He said the group isn't explicitly against the draft, but that it
supports Kenyan attorneys critical of the draft, in part because of the abortion and
Islamic-court provisions.

The U.S. government also has worked to educate voters about what the document
contains, and says it wants Kenyans to decide on the draft in a fair vote.

U.S. officials have said that after the violence in 2008, they sensed an opportunity to
push for democratic change in the country because of America's popular influence, and
because of the growing assertiveness of media and civil society in calling for
government accountability. Washington threatened sanctions against Kenyan leaders it
believed to be stalling the reform process.

Last year, the American government banned Kenya's attorney general, Amos Wako,
from traveling to the U.S. because it believed he was holding back anticorruption
efforts.
--------------------
Central African Republic to go to polls in January (AFP)

BANGUI – Presidential and parliamentary elections will take place in the Central
African Republic next January 23, President Francois Bozize decreed on Friday.

"The president of the republic ... decrees that the electorate of the Central African
Republic is called out on January 23, 2011, for presidential and parliamentary elections,"
said the decree, read out on state radio.

The elections, which had been due to take place last April 25, were put off until May
and then postponed indefinitely as the opposition called for delays, warning that
security was not guaranteed in the strife-prone country.

In mid-June, the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) proposed a vote on October

24, but Bozize chose not to follow its advice.

His own mandate expired on June 11, but after the second postponement of the polls,
the presidential and parliamentary mandates were extended by a constitutional law.
A postponement in the election had also been recommended by the committee of
financial sponsors of the poll, consisting of the United Nations, the European Union,
France and the United States.

Under the decree, the electoral campaign begins on January 10 and will end at midnight
on January 21.

The date of October 24 had been proposed unanimously by the 30 members of the CEI
in June, according to commission spokesman Rigobert Vondo, who argued that "all the
organisational, security and budget constraints will be lifted" by that date.

But government spokesman Fidele Gouandjika responded: "The head of state has said
and repeated that the new date of the elections must take account of the security
conditions and progress in the disarmament, demobilisation and reinsertion
programme for former rebels, which must reach the disarmament phase."

Since 2008, politicians and armed movements in the Central African Republic have been
engaged in a process of peace-making and reconciliation, after years of instability and
insecurity.

The main rebel groups have signed up to the disarmament process, but unrest
periodically erupts in the volatile north of the country.

Bozize came to power as an army general who ousted president Ange-Felix Patasse in
2003, and was then elected president for five years in 2005. He is running for a second
term.
--------------------
Zanzibar Approves Power-Sharing in Referendum (Voice of America)

Voters on the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar have voted to allow rival parties to form a
coalition government after the upcoming October elections.

Zanzibar election officials said Sunday two-thirds of the voters in Saturday's

referendum approved the idea of a unity government.

The power-sharing proposal was supported by the ruling CCM party and leaders of the
main opposition party, CUF, and was designed to end years of political strife that had
marred previous elections.

Under the new referendum vote, two vice presidential positions will be split between
the leading parties in parliamentary elections.

Ministries will be allocated on a proportional basis.

Officials said Saturday's voting proceeded peacefully.

Zanzibar gained independence from Britain in 1963, then united with Tanganyika the
following year to form what became the republic of Tanzania.
-------------------
UN News Service Africa Briefs
Full Articles on UN Website

UN official praises Rwandan police officers in Liberia for professionalism

1 August – The United Nations deputy envoy to Liberia, Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, today
lauded Rwandan police officers serving in the UN mission in the West African country
for their professionalism and discipline, saying their presence there had strengthened
the capacity and skills of the local police.

UN official warns terrorism and organized crime increasingly linked in Africa

30 July – Terrorism in Africa is increasingly linked to organized crime, and the
continent’s governments must take stronger steps to try to break those connections, a
senior United Nations official said as he called for countries worldwide to broaden their
anti-terrorist strategies beyond involving only the military and law enforcement
agencies.

Darfur: UN-African Union peacekeeping force extended as tensions rise

30 July – The Security Council today voted to extend by another year the mandate of the
joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur, where violence
once again rocked a large camp for people uprooted by the conflict in the war-ravaged
Sudanese region.

UN chief expresses deep sadness after boat capsizing in DR Congo

30 July – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has added his voice to those of other United
Nations officials expressing deep sadness at learning of the news that more than 140
people have reportedly died when a boat capsized in the Democratic Republic of the
Congo (DRC) this week.

UN rushing aid to flood-stricken areas of north-western DR Congo

30 July – United Nations agencies are providing urgent assistance to areas of north-
western Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after devastating floods, which have
destroyed nearly 300 homes and left an estimated 1,500 people homeless.