Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2014 22:43:55 +0200
Africa: Kerry Aims to 'Celebrate' African Progress, Promote Human Rights,
Democracy & Peace
30 April 2014
Interview
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry engages with young people at the
University of Addis Ababa on his last visit to Ethiopia. Alongside him is
BBC television anchor Zeinab Badawi.
United States Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Addis Ababa today on
the first stop of a visit to east and central Africa. As his trip began, he
responded by email to questions from AllAfrica:
Q: What lies behind your decision to visit each of these countries at this
time?
John Kerry: The progress being made across the African continent these days
is extraordinary. Africa is home to eight of the 10 fastest-growing
economies in the world. There are more democratic governments than ever
before. Best of all, each day more Africans are seeing these many benefits
reflected in their daily lives. I'm visiting the continent to celebrate that
progress and help advance it further, because there is always more to do.
I'm here to encourage further democratic development, promote human rights,
advance peace and security, and engage with civil society groups and young
people. I've also come to promote trade, and celebrate PEPFAR and all it's
done to combat the scourge of HIV/AIDS across the continent.
In Ethiopia I will co-convene the Fourth Session of the US-AU High-Level
Dialogue. I will meet with Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and Foreign
Minister Tedros Adhanom to discuss peace, democracy, and the importance our
lasting bilateral relationship.
In Kinshasa, I will meet with President Joseph Kabila and discuss the
government's progress in ending conflict and supporting those Congolese
suffering from the violence. We will also discuss the DRC's continued
democratization and its long-term stability.
And in Luanda, I will engage with President José Eduardo dos Santos on
Angola's leadership in the region and encourage the President's continued
personal engagement in the Great Lakes peace process. I will also discuss
bilateral policy and trade issues with Foreign Minister Chikoti.
Q: In Ethiopia, eight journalists are in prison for terms ranging from five
to 18 years for offences under anti-terrorism laws. We understand Woubshet
Taye is suffering kidney infections, and reports in the last few days
suggest that Reeyot Alemu is being denied adequate medical attention after
breast surgery. What can the U.S. do to alleviate their plight and secure
their release?
John Kerry: This is an issue I feel very passionately about. A free and
unfettered press is fundamental to any functioning democracy. That's true in
the United States, and it's true across Africa. First, I will urge the
Government of Ethiopia to fully adhere to its constitutional guarantees
afforded to all its citizens. When I am in Addis Ababa, I also plan to
reiterate my longstanding concern about the abridgement of the freedom of
the press and the freedom of expression with Prime Minister Hailemariam
Desalegn.
Q: Given that Ambassador [Samantha] Power [the U.S. Permanent Representative
to the United Nations] has implicitly criticized both sides in the current
conflict in South Sudan, and in particular that she has said the government
in Juba should stop interfering with the UN's mission there, is it
appropriate that you should be visiting the country now?
John Kerry: After 30 years of support for their right to self-determination,
we are gravely concerned about the deteriorating situation in South Sudan.
The ongoing conflict threatens the gains made since I stood in Juba as the
nation earned its independence three years ago.
Those responsible for targeted killings of civilians based on ethnicity and
nationality must be held accountable. Recent acts of ethnic violence by
those aligned with Riek Machar are particularly horrific. Such events are a
betrayal of the trust the South Sudanese people put in their leaders. Both
President Kiir and Riek Machar must make clear that these attacks are
unacceptable, bring the perpetrators of violence on both sides to justice,
and honor the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement they signed in January. The
cycle of violence that has plagued South Sudan for too long must come to an
end.
Finally, I have great hopes for the talks led by the East African
International Authority on Development, but it remains to be said that those
who threaten or obstruct the peace, stability, and security of South Sudan
will be at risk of U.S. sanctions. We are actively considering those now,
unless we see a change on the ground.
Q: What is the Administration's assessment of the current prospects for real
peace in the eastern DR Congo in the wake of the Kampala Accords?
John Kerry: The United States fully supports the Peace, Security, and
Cooperation Framework Agreement signed by the DRC, Rwanda, and neighboring
governments last year. It is the best mechanism for resolving the root
causes of conflict in the DRC and the Great Lakes region.
Last July, I appointed Senator Russ Feingold as my Special Envoy for the
Great Lakes Region and the DRC. Russ has traveled to the region nine times
and met with all levels of government in the DRC and its neighbors to
support the Framework peace process. He has told me about meeting with local
leaders, civil society, and women's groups to listen to their concerns, to
encourage their participation in the peace process, and to support their
efforts to effect change in their countries. I am optimistic about what he's
reported back, but there is still much to be done.
Achieving lasting peace in eastern DRC will also require expanding economic
opportunities through improved alternative livelihoods, empowering local
communities, particularly women, and increasing conflict-free trade of
natural resources. The U.S. is helping to accomplish these goals by
supporting the implementation of security sector reforms, consolidating
state authority, and strengthening government institutions.
Q: Are you satisfied with the role Rwanda is now playing beyond its borders
in the Great Lakes Region?
John Kerry: One of the clearest ways for Rwanda to accomplish its goal of
being a regional leader is through cooperation with the DRC, because a
lasting peace in the Great Lakes Region is the obvious next step for
improving the stability of theregion.
That's why we're encouraging Rwanda to work with the DRC and Uganda to
ensure that all M23 ex-combatants are permanently disbanded, that those who
are Congolese are turned over to the DRC to complete the disarmament,
demobilization, and reintegration process, and that those responsible for
war crimes or crimes against humanity are held accountable.
Fostering lasting regional stability is key to Rwanda's emergence. If Rwanda
leads on issues of peace and security now, it can lead on other issues like
economic security moving forward.
Q: Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index ranks Angola at
153rd place of 177 countries. Some years ago American banks
<http://allafrica.com/stories/201011160010.html> took action targetting the
Angolan government out of concern at corruption. Is the Administration
concerned at the level of corruption in Angola? What can it do about it?
John Kerry: Corruption not only saps a government's resources, but it denies
everyday people the services they deserve. I firmly believe that a free and
open society is also one that will prosper economically. We will always
support these ideals and principles in our bilateral relationships around
the globe. That's why we are monitoring the situation in Angola closely.
We've been quick to highlight our concerns with the Angolan government and
in the international community.
But the United States also welcomes Angola's leadership in Africa and world
affairs. We are particularly encouraged by Angola's leadership in the Great
Lakes Region and with the Kimberley Process. We also applaud Angola's
efforts in resolving its own humanitarian crisis, including repatriating and
reintegrating some 500,000 refugees and millions more internally displaced
persons since the end of its civil war in 2002.
Q: The White House Summit on Africa in August promises to be the signature
Africa event of the Administration. Several African leaders have expressed
concern that they will be "talked to" by President Obama but will not be
"listened to". Will there be opportunities for the President to hear African
leaders express their views, in separate meetings, or regional groups?
John Kerry: Listening is vital to any relationship, international or
otherwise. This summit is being held for precisely that reason. The
President is inviting African leaders to Washington in order to broaden and
deepen our partnerships across the continent — a continent he made a
priority for his presidency. The administration is committed to the ongoing
dialogue between our country and the leaders of Africa. And it will be
exactly that — a dialogue.
This summit will be like those the United States regularly holds with the
leaders of other regions, like the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit,
the Summit of the Americas, and the NATO and U.S.-E.U. summits.
It will reinforce our commitment to our relationship with Africa's countries
and its people, and will allow us to continue to advance our common agenda
of promoting opportunity, democracy, and peace.
But this dialogue doesn't stop with heads of state. Just one week prior to
the summit, 500 young African leaders will be in Washington to discuss the
U.S.-African relationships as part of President Obama's Young African
Leaders Initiative, or YALI. I can't wait to hear their ideas about the
future of a peaceful and prosperous Africa.
Q: In January, the National Security Council Press office said President
Obama would invite all African heads of state or government "except those
that are not in good standing with the United States or are suspended from
the African Union." Morocco is invited, even though it is not a member of
the African Union, while the Saharan Arab Democratic Republic - which IS an
AU member, is not. Morocco withdrew from the AU after the SADR was accepted
to membership, and the United States does not recognize the SADR as a
country, nor does the UN, which is trying to mediate the long-running
conflict between the two parties. What is the United States position on
Morocco's annexation of Western Sahara?
John Kerry: We invited Morocco to the summit because we recognize and value
Morocco's role in Africa. That was underscored for me by King Mohammed VI's
visit to Washington last November and my visit with him in Morocco few weeks
ago.
U.S. policy toward the Western Sahara has remained consistent. The United
States has made clear that Morocco's autonomy plan is serious, realistic,
and credible, and that it represents a potential approach that could satisfy
the aspirations of the people in the Western Sahara to run their own affairs
in peace and dignity.
So we'll continue to support the negotiations carried out by the United
Nations, including the work of the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy
Ambassador Christopher Ross. We'll urge the parties to work toward a
resolution, and we will make sure that discussions about the importance of
human rights in Western Sahara will continue to be an important part of our
Strategic Dialogue with the Moroccan government.
http://allafrica.com/download/pic/main/main/csiid/00271027:43ecd21f9af493eb9
4d00c69e4140e7e:arc614x376:w290:us1.jpgPhoto: <http://state.gov> U.S. State
Dept
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