1st August, 2014
By Simon Ateba
American officials said on Thursday that peace, security, democracy and human rights issues will be top on the agenda when President Barack Obama hosts 50 African heads of state and government next week at the US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington, DC.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Assistant Secretary for African Affairs and Grant Harris, Special Assistant to US President and Senior Director for African Affairs, made the disclosure during a conference call with African journalists.
“Peace and security will be vital issues to be discussed,” Harris said.
In addition, he said, the summit will also seek to strengthen trade ties and investment opportunities that are mutually beneficial to the United States and Africa.
“Our relationship with Africa is unique. It is a positive relationship,” Thomas-Greenfield said, adding that, President Obama is only trying to build on and improve the cordial relationship between the world most powerful country and Africa, which is in desperate need of foreign direct investments.
She said Africa can only enjoy substantial progress and prosperity when there is peace and security, and when people are allowed to choose their leaders freely.
She said the United States government would seek better ways to partner with African countries to tackle growing insecurity and religious fundamentalism bedevilling the continent.
Thomas-Greenfield said the American government is working hard to get the Chibok girls released from the hands of Boko Haram.
Both officials said the US invited sit-tight presidents, including dictators, to the summit because it was an opportunity for direct engagement with everyone.
She emphasised that America will continue to support strong institutions and not strong men. She said leaders that promote democracy and allow transition will be supported by the United States government.
On the Ebola virus now ravaging parts of West Africa, she said her government is working closely with the World Health Organisation and governments of Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia to contain the virus and provide adequate care to those infected.
Before the conference call, Nigerian journalists received training on social media from Corina Dubois, a Public Diplomacy Social Media for YALI2014. She showed journalists how to take advantage of Twitter and Facebook to engage with wider audiences and conversations.