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Hillary Clinton opens Africa tour Hillary Clinton opens Africa tour
(19 minutes later)
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has begun in Kenya her 11-day tour of the African continent. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has begun her 11-day tour of the African continent in Kenya.
In Nairobi, Mrs Clinton is to address a summit of African ministers that will focus on trade and investments. Mrs Clinton told a trade summit that developing Africa's untapped potential depended on good governance.
She will also meet Kenyan leaders, amid growing concerns over Kenya's reluctance to seek justice following last year's post election violence. She is due to meet Kenyan leaders, amid growing concerns over Kenya's reluctance to seek justice following last year's post-election violence.
During her seven-nation tour, Mrs Clinton she will also hold talks with Somali leaders in Nairobi. During her seven-nation tour, Mrs Clinton she is also expected to hold talks with Somali leaders in Nairobi.
The tour, her longest overseas journey in her post to date, is part of an attempt by the US to show that Africa remains a key foreign policy priority. Analysts say the tour, her longest overseas journey in her post to date, is part of an attempt by the US to show that Africa remains a key foreign policy priority.
Development issues - including food security, health and gender concerns - are expected to be high on the agenda. One doesn't have to look far to see that Africa is ripe with opportunities Hillary Clinton
Mrs Clinton's trip comes less than a month after US President Barack Obama, whose father was born in Kenya, travelled to Ghana. Her trip comes less than a month after US President Barack Obama, whose father was born in Kenya, travelled to Ghana.
Mr Obama said in a video broadcast to delegates at the Nairobi summit that he would like to see closer trade ties with Africa.
US officials were keen to emphasise that Mrs Clinton's trip is the earliest trip by a secretary of state to Africa of any administration.US officials were keen to emphasise that Mrs Clinton's trip is the earliest trip by a secretary of state to Africa of any administration.
'Golden chance' Outdated notions
One of Mrs Clinton's first engagements in Nairobi will be addressing a forum of some 40 African states which enjoy trade preferences with the US on the condition they uphold free elections and markets. One of Mrs Clinton's first engagements in Nairobi was to address a forum of some 40 African states which enjoy trade preferences with the US on the condition they uphold free elections and markets.
She said Africa had all the ingredients for growth, prosperity and progress.
AFRICAN TOUR KenyaSouth AfricaNigeriaAngolaLiberiaDemocratic Republic of CongoCape VerdeAFRICAN TOUR KenyaSouth AfricaNigeriaAngolaLiberiaDemocratic Republic of CongoCape Verde
America's top diplomat will then hold talks with Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga. "We can't seem to get past the idea that the continent has enormous potential for progress," she said.
Ahead of her arrival in Kenya, the US embassy in Nairobi issued a statement scolding Kenya for its decision not to set up a local court to seek justice for the victims of the country's post-poll clashes. "Too often the media's portrayal is so much less than that. But such notions are not only stale and outdated - they are wrong.
"Africa is capable and is making economic progress. In fact, one doesn't have to look far to see that Africa is ripe with opportunities, some already realised and others waiting to be seized together."
The greatest opportunity for Africa lay in boosting trade within the continent, she said.
Mrs Clinton ended by shining the spotlight on Africa's women saying they had often been marginalised but were key to transforming economies.
She will hold talks with Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga later.
'Golden chance'
Before Mrs Clinton arrived in Kenya, the US embassy in Nairobi issued a statement scolding Kenya for its decision not to set up a local court to seek justice for the victims of the country's post-poll clashes.
At least 1,300 people died during clashes following the disputed December 2007 election.At least 1,300 people died during clashes following the disputed December 2007 election.
"The US is deeply concerned by the coalition government's decision that appears to indicate it will not pursue establishment of an independent Special Tribunal to hold accountable perpetrators of post-election violence," the US government said in the statement."The US is deeply concerned by the coalition government's decision that appears to indicate it will not pursue establishment of an independent Special Tribunal to hold accountable perpetrators of post-election violence," the US government said in the statement.
Meanwhile, Somali President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed said the meeting with Mrs Clinton in Kenya would be "a golden chance for the Somali people and government". Meanwhile, Somali President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed said his planned meeting with Mrs Clinton in Kenya would be "a golden chance for the Somali people and government".
"It signals how the American government, the Obama administration and the international community are willing to support Somalia this time," he said, referring to earlier failed peacekeeping missions to the country."It signals how the American government, the Obama administration and the international community are willing to support Somalia this time," he said, referring to earlier failed peacekeeping missions to the country.
Mrs Clinton will also visit South Africa, Nigeria, Angola, Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cape Verde.Mrs Clinton will also visit South Africa, Nigeria, Angola, Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cape Verde.
Are you from one of the countries Hilary Clinton will visit? Do you have a message for her? What do you hope her visit will achieve? Send us your views.Are you from one of the countries Hilary Clinton will visit? Do you have a message for her? What do you hope her visit will achieve? Send us your views.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions