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Statement of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold on Secretary Clinton's Trip to Africa Last Month
For the Congressional Record
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
I want to commend Secretary Clinton on her visit to Africa last month. Over eleven days, Secretary Clinton traveled to several of the most influential countries on the continent and directly addressed some of the most sensitive and critical issues facing them and their neighbors. It was one of the most, if not the most, ambitious trips by a Secretary of State to sub-Saharan Africa in U.S. history. This trip, combined with President Obama’s visit earlier this year to Ghana, sends a strong signal that the administration is committed to making Africa not only a priority, but also an integral part of overall U.S. foreign policy. The challenge going forward is to sustain a high level of engagement with each of the countries that Secretary Clinton visited and back up that engagement with resources that can make a tangible difference.
On her first stop in Kenya, I am glad that Secretary Clinton took a strong stand against extrajudicial killings, corruption, and the continued failure to prosecute those most responsible for violence after the December 2007 election. As Secretary Clinton said, these conditions are holding Kenya back from realizing its potential. Worse yet, if these conditions persist, we could see a renewal of violence, especially in the run-up to Kenya’s next elections set for 2012. Together with other international partners, we need to keep pressing Kenya’s leaders to deliver on the reforms they have pledged, beginning with reform of the police and judiciary. At the same time, we should prepare targeted assistance that can be provided as soon as initial steps are taken toward those reforms. The United States and Kenya have longstanding and historic ties, and we need to help Kenyans get through this difficult period.
While in Nairobi, I am also pleased that Secretary Clinton focused on the dangerous situation in neighboring Somalia and met with President Sheik Sharif of Somalia’s beleaguered Transitional Federal Government, the TFG. I have long urged the Obama administration to engage with Sharif at a high level and I am glad that the administration is finally doing this, as well as taking seriously the threat posed by al Shebaab, an extremist group with ties to al Qaeda. However, going forward, we cannot repeat the mistake of focusing too narrowly on short-term gains in Somalia without a long-term strategy. As we help the TFG combat insurgents, we simultaneously need to help it to advance political reconciliation and deliver critically needed basic services. The TFG’s ultimate success rests on whether it can establish a viable government that is perceived as legitimate and inclusive, representative of and responsive to the Somali people.
Secretary Clinton traveled next to South Africa. Over recent years, our relationship with South Africa has cooled considerably, undermining our ability to coordinate and work together on issues of mutual interest. Yet, I believe there is an opportunity now to reverse that trend with our new administration and South Africa’s new administration under President Jacob Zuma. I am pleased that Secretary Clinton seized upon that opportunity with her visit, committing to deepening and broadening our bilateral relationship in a range of areas – from HIV prevention to nuclear nonproliferation to climate change. Moreover, she talked with South Africa about how we can better coordinate our efforts to address regional challenges, beginning with the situation in Zimbabwe. We need to institutionalize such coordination, while continuing to encourage South Africa to be a leader in human rights and peacebuilding on the continent.
Secretary Clinton’s next stop was Angola, a country that is quickly becoming an economic powerhouse and regional leader. As Angola continues to rebuild from decades of civil war, there is a new openness to engaging with the United States, especially as the government seeks to diversify their economy. I am pleased that Secretary Clinton seized upon this potential by visiting Angola and committed to a “comprehensive strategic partnership.” She agreed to expand our engagement not only in the areas of trade and agriculture, but also in health, education and governance. Governance is particularly important because while Angola has taken some positive steps to increase transparency and efficiency, there is still a long way to go. To that end, I am especially glad that Secretary Clinton spoke to the Angolan National Assembly about its role in demanding accountability and transparency, and standing against corruption and abuses of power. We need to continue to engage on these issues and encourage Angola’s democratization process.
Secretary Clinton next traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo, with a visit to the eastern city of Goma. I applaud her for choosing to focus on the crisis in the eastern Congo, which has gone neglected for too long despite its unrivaled human toll and the unspeakable levels of sexual violence. Secretary Clinton committed to new efforts to help prevent and respond to the high levels of gender and sexual violence, while also recognizing the need to address the root causes of Congo’s crisis, including the exploitation of natural resources by armed groups. Taking action to address those underlying causes is difficult, but essential. Senators Brownback, Durbin and I have introduced legislation that would commit the United States to do more on conflict minerals, and I look forward to working with the administration in this regard. I also look forward to working with the administration to help bring an end to the increasing violence by the Lord’s Resistance Army in northeastern Congo.
Following Congo, Secretary Clinton’s next stop was Nigeria – a critically important country in sub-Saharan Africa and a strategic partner and major source of oil imports to the United States. I continue to be very concerned about the direction in which Nigeria is heading, especially with regards to corruption and the rule of law. I am glad that Secretary Clinton touched on these issues, and we must continue to press for meaningful reforms to enhance government transparency, accountability and the independence of the election commission. In addition, I am pleased that Secretary Clinton discussed the unresolved crisis in the Niger Delta and pledged to review how we might better assist the government’s efforts to promote stability there. I look forward to working with her as well in that regard. However, to be successful, the Nigerian government must expand its current amnesty offer to a broader peace process that includes measures to address the marginalization and underdevelopment of the region.
Secretary Clinton traveled then to Liberia, a country with which we have historic ties. Secretary Clinton was right to highlight the progress that Liberia has made since its civil war, while also speaking frankly about the challenges that the country continues to face. I am glad that she chose to speak at the Liberian National Police Academy and pledged new funds for police training. While great strides have been made in reforming Liberia’s military, there is still great need to improve the capacity and professionalism of its police force. In addition, Secretary Clinton focused on corruption and spoke directly about this in a speech to the National Legislature. We need to continue to work with all parts of the Liberian government to guard against corruption and other abuses, both in their democratic process and in its management of the country’s rich natural resources, especially timber.
Finally, Secretary Clinton visited Cape Verde, a country that has made great progress in terms of both economic growth and democratization. Cape Verde provided a perfect backdrop to reiterate the two major themes of her trip: first, that America believes in Africa’s promise, and second, that Africa’s future is ultimately in the hands of Africans. Secretary Clinton delivered these messages powerfully and I believe they can be the foundation for a new era of U.S. engagement and partnerships with Africa. The challenge going forward is to give substance to these words and the commitments that were made throughout Secretary Clinton’s trip. I look forward to working with her and the administration to do this. It will not by easy and it will require sustained engagement, greater diplomatic capacity, and new targeted resources. But if we get this right, I strongly believe the benefits for Americans and Africans can be immense in terms of our security and prosperity.