Summary
Washington, DC (Allafrica. com) - On President Barack Obama's 100th day in office, his nominee to be the top administration Africa policy official, Ambassador Johnnie Carson, told the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations that, if confirmed as Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, he will pursue a broad, but focused, agenda to protect U.S. interests and promote African development.
Calling Zimbabwe "an extraordinarily tragic case," he said a unity agreement has produced "some small, incremental steps" but failed to loosen President Robert Mugabe's and his party's grip on key centers of power, including intelligence services, the police and the military.Asked about perceptions that U.S. support for Ethiopia's incursion into Somalia had destabilized the region and favored an authoritarian Ethiopian regime, Carson promised a balanced policy that combines short-term strategic interests with a recognition of the importance of "a free and vibrant press," unfettered trade unions and other elements of civil society that can hold governments accountable.Asked about perceptions that U.S. support for Ethiopia's incursion into Somalia had destabilized the region and favored an authoritarian Ethiopian regime, Carson promised a balanced policy that combines short-term strategic interests with a recognition of the importance of "a free and vibrant press," unfettered trade unions and other elements of civil society that can hold governments accountable.See the full content of this document
Extract
Carson Is Obama's Top Africa Diplomat
Washington, DC (Allafrica. com) - On President Barack Obama's 100th day in office, his nominee to be the top administration Africa policy official, Ambassador Johnnie Carson, to...
See the full content of this document
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