Clinton to go on tour of Africa

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US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is to tour seven African countries, starting on 5 August.

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

While in Africa, Mrs Clinton is set to speak at the Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum (AGOA) in Kenya.

Her office in Washington says this is the earliest in any US administration that both the US president and secretary of state have visited Africa.

Global hunger and agricultural issues will also feature highly in her discussions with African leaders.

Kenya is her first stop, where she is set to address the AGOA forum on new approaches to development, investment and broad-based economic growth.

Kenya is also the birthplace of the US president's father.

Mr Obama visited Ghana earlier this month - his first visit to sub-Saharan Africa since being elected president.

Mrs Clinton will also visit South Africa, Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Liberia, and Cape Verde.

She will also meet Somalia's President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, president of Somalia, whose forces are battling Islamist insurgents.