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Clinton seeks African democracy | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has begun her 11-day tour of the Africa saying improving democracy is the key to boosting trade and development. | |
She told a summit in Kenya investors would not be attracted to states with failed leadership and civil unrest. | |
Later she will meet Kenyan leaders, amid growing concerns over Nairobi's reluctance to seek justice following last year's post-election violence. | |
During her seven-nation tour, she is also expected to hold talks on Somalia. | |
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. | 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. |
One doesn't have to look far to see that Africa is ripe with opportunities Hillary Clinton | One doesn't have to look far to see that Africa is ripe with opportunities Hillary Clinton |
Her 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. | 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. |
Outdated notions | Outdated notions |
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. | 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 and should reject corruption. | |
"The solution starts with transparency. A famous judge in my country once said that sunlight is the best disinfectant. And there's a lot of sunlight in Africa," she said. | |
AFRICAN TOUR KenyaSouth AfricaNigeriaAngolaLiberiaDemocratic Republic of CongoCape Verde | AFRICAN TOUR KenyaSouth AfricaNigeriaAngolaLiberiaDemocratic Republic of CongoCape Verde |
"We can't seem to get past the idea that the continent has enormous potential for progress | |
"Too often the media's portrayal is so much less than that. But such notions are not only stale and outdated - they are wrong" | |
The greatest opportunity for Africa lay in boosting trade within the continent, she said. | 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. | 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. | She will hold talks with Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga later. |
'Golden chance' | '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. | 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 his planned 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 & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |