U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told a group of African andAmerican delegates Wednesday that the United States will partner withAfrica to help the continent meet its full potential. Her speechopened up the day's African Growth and Opportunity Act Forum inNairobi, Kenya.
Secretary Clinton re-affirmed the new U.S.administration's commitment towards expanding its partnership withAfrican countries, expressing optimism in the continent's long-termpotential for growth and development.
"We believe in Africa'spromise. We are committed to Africa's future. And, we will bepartners with Africa's people," she said.
The secretary stressed the importance of trade for a region that is a perennial recipient of significant foreign assistance.
"Today,Africa counts for two percent of global trade," she said. "IfSub-Saharan Africa were to increase that share by only one percent, itwould generate additional export revenues each year greater than thetotal amount of annual assistance that Africa currently receives."
But the secretary also stressed to the delegates that economic progress is tied directly to good governance.
"Manypeople believe that democracy is alive and well because an election hastaken place. But, as important as elections are, democracy is not justabout the ballot box. Citizens and governments need to work togetherto build and sustain strong democratic institutions," she said.
Hersentiments echoed remarks made by U.S. President Barack Obama duringhis visit to Ghana, last month, where he stated that African leadershave to take ultimate responsibility for their nations' futures.
The secretary was warmly greeted at the forum, with African singing and dancing.
Security was tight. Only those with a specially issued security badge could get within the vicinity of the venue.
TheAGOA forum is an annual event, which brings together leaders in thepublic and private sectors of the United States and Africa tofacilitate greater trade relations.
The African Growth andOpportunity Act gives eligible countries the benefit of reduced tradebarriers for certain African-produced goods. Currently, 41 Africancountries are offered the trade preferences under the act.
Theact is touted mostly for helping develop the African apparel andtextile industry. But both the U.S. and African leaders admit that thecontinent has yet to take full advantage of the benefits offered underthe act.
Kenya is the ancestral homeland of President Obama'sfather, but the American president has criticized the nation's leadersand skipped the country in his first official trip to the continent.
KenyanPrime Minister Raila Odinga yesterday pushed back against Westerncriticisms of the Kenya government, which is struggling to implementkey reforms agreed to after the country fell into violent turmoilfollowing a disputed December 2007 election. The prime minister saysthat Africa does not need lectures, but assistance.
SecretaryClinton's remarks were followed with a video message from PresidentObama, in which he reiterated his message that only Africans can raiseup Africa, but that he was personally committed to a full, mutualpartnership with the continent.
Mrs. Clinton was joined by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative, Ron Kirk.