Bureau of African Affairs

Assistant Secretary Jendayi Frazer leads the Bureau of African Affairs, the division of the Department of State that advises the Secretary about sub-Saharan Africa. Dr. Frazer believes that we are living in an historic window of opportunity. For example, in the last five years, we have seen belligerence yield to negotiation in six contentious settings: Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and the North-South element of the Sudan crisis. Formerly divided by conflict, Burundi now has an elected government up and running. The Democratic Republic of Congo has similarly moved beyond transition to successfully hold its first national election in more than 40 years. This is an historical shift. In the years ahead, African leaders face three key challenges: consolidating democratic gains, expanding economic growth, and stemming the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Africa on Video - Learn more about current U.S. policy on Africa

• President Bush Travels to Benin, Ghana, Tanzania, Rwanda, Liberia: Travel Page | Slideshow
• Secretary Rice AGOA Remarks
• Tenth Anniversary of U.S. Embassy Bombings
• Secretary Rice with Ghanaian President Kufuor
• Ambassador McGee's DVC from Harare
• DIPNOTE Blog: Assistant Secretary Frazer on Zimbabwe
• See more videos

50th Anniversary of the Bureau of African Affairs September 2008 marks the 50th anniversary of the creation of the bureau of African Affairs.  Visit this page for more updates on the history and events planned during the next couple of months. State Magazine article
DIPNOTE: Assistant Secretary Frazer Blogs on Zimbabwe (Nov. 28): Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi E. Frazer shares her thoughts on the humanitarian and political crisis in Zimbabwe via the State Department's blogosphere, DIPNOTE.  Full Text | View Video
Digital Video Conference with Ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee (Nov. 20): U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe James D. McGee briefed reporters on the current political impasse in the power-sharing talks between Robert Mugabe’s ZANU-PF and Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change, as well as that country’s dire humanitarian situation. The on-the-record, on-camera briefing was held via video from Harare, Zimbabwe, on Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in the State Department Press Briefing Room (2209). Full Text
As Talks Stall, Zimbabweans Suffer In violation of both the September 15 power-sharing agreement between political parties and the will of the Zimbabwean people as expressed in the March 29 elections, Zimbabwe remains without a legitimate government, causing further suffering to its people. Twenty-one African leaders witnessed the signing of the accord between Mugabe’s ZANU-PF and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). Since then, the Mugabe regime has refused to implement an equitable and inclusive government and has continued to use violence against peaceful demonstrators.  Fact Sheet
Guinea-Bissau Elections (Nov. 19): The United States congratulates the government and people of Guinea-Bissau on their successful November 16 legislative elections.  Full Text

2007 Human Rights Report
Secretary Rice: "A nation’s path to a future of human rights protected by law is neither smooth nor straight. Along the way, there are bound to be stumbles and setbacks. Even under the best of circumstances, it is not easy to transform democratic ideals into effective democratic institutions. Yet despite every challenge, the courageous champions of human rights persevere. They are an inspiration to their fellow citizens and to all of us. The high standard that they set continues to give hope to people everywhere who work peacefully for their liberty, their dignity, and their rights." Human Rights Report, 2007 | AFRICA Only

Trafficking in Persons: Interim Assessments
The report covers 37 African countries which can be viewed here.  2008 Report | 2008 TIP Briefing

Advancing Freedom and Democracy Reports, May 2008 | AFRICA ONLY

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