Hilary Clinton to visit Africa

29 July 2009

Infrastructure, agricultural issues and global hunger are to feature in Hilary Clinton's discussions with African leaders over the coming days.

Starting on August 5th, the US secretary of state is due to tour seven countries across the continent.

Kenya will be her first point of call followed by South Africa, Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Liberia and Cape Verde.

The visit is to highlight President Barack Obama's commitment to making the region a US foreign policy priority.

It is the earliest in any US administration that both the president and secretary of state have visited the continent.

Clinton is due to speak at the Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum and meet with Somalia's President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.

President Obama made his first visit to Africa earlier this month. He told parliament in Ghana that major challenges await the nation but vowed America would help.

Category: General