Foreign
By Kennedy Nnamani
THE United States, through its various agencies has taken strong actions on some African countries. These actions were revealed in different press statements which have been released from different departments of the state.
Through Antony J. Blinken, the Secretary of State, the U.S announced on March 21 that it has sanctioned security forces in Sudan; Sudan’s Central Reserve Police, CRP, for using excessive force, including lethal force against protesters during a lawful demonstration for democratic leadership, which resulted in numerous deaths and injuries since October 25, 2021.
“Reports of rape, killings, torture, and arbitrary detentions, among other abuses committed by CRP officers as recently as March 14, are ongoing. Reports that CRP officers raped and committed other acts of sexual abuse against female protesters, notably on December 21 and 22 as well as on March 14, are particularly egregious. These actions are unacceptable and contrary to the Sudanese people’s desire for freedom, peace, and justice in their country. All abuses against protesters by CRP officers must be stopped,” the statement said.
The United States therefore called for an “immediate end to unjust detentions of civil society activists, politicians, journalists, cultural figures, and humanitarian workers; closure of media outlets; continued violence against peaceful protesters, including sexual violence and attacks on medical facilities; and communications blackouts.”
In addition, Ned Price, the Spokesperson, on March 18 disclosed that the Secretary of State had earlier met with Lazarus Chakwera, the President of Malawi to discuss “plans to expand U.S. cooperation with the 16-member Southern African Development Community and to deepen U.S.-Malawi cooperation at the United Nations,” noting that Malawi’s democratic leadership and strong support for the principles of the UN and AU Charters is currently threatened by Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
In the same vein, David Satterfield, the U.S special envoy for the horn of Africa was in Ethiopia, March 21-22, to meet Ethiopian government, Olusegun Obasanjo, the AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa, Bankole Adeoye, the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security and United Nations officials, as well as representatives of humanitarian organizations to discuss engagement on regional affairs, including Sudan and Ethiopia.
Through Molly Phee, the African Affairs Assistant Secretary, who was in Chad March 20-22 for bilateral meetings with Mahamat Déby, the President of the Transitional Military Council and other senior officials, the U.S was to announce the shared interest of both countries in security in the Sahel and Lake Chad region, to reinforce the importance of shared U.S.-Chadian commitments to address humanitarian challenges and promote respect for human rights, including combatting trafficking in persons.
The United States Agency for International Development on March 21, also released a statement noting that through the USAID, the U.S is providing Immediate Assistance to respond to tropical cyclone Gombe in Mozambique.
According to the statement, “the U.S. Agency for International Development, USAID, is providing $100,000 in humanitarian assistance in response to immediate needs in Mozambique, following Tropical Cyclone Gombe” which has resulted in more than 50 deaths, and causing notable damage to housing, crops, and infrastructure.
The report noted that the USAID is “supporting CARE International to provide urgently needed shelter and water, sanitation, and hygiene assistance to support storm-affected people in Nampula provinces in the north-central part of the country.”
In Congo, on March 21, through a press release from the department of the Treasury headed by Brian Nelson, the Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, in a meeting with President Felix Tschikedi, the U.S announced its effort to fight corruption, counter the financing of terrorism, enact systematic AML/CFT reforms, and disrupt the illegal mining trade. It also announced the new treasury sanctions on Alain Goetz, “a Belgian national, who operates a network of companies involved in the illegal gold trade that fuels armed conflict and deprives the Congolese people of resources and revenue.”
Secretary Nelson also met with Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde, Nicolas Kazadi; Minister of Finance, Rose Mutombo Kiese; Minister of Justice, Malangu Kabedi-Mbuyi; Central Bank Governor, Adler Kisula; CENAREF Executive Secretary, Jules Alingete Key; Inspector General of Finances and Thierry Mbulamoko; director Agency for the Fight Against Corruption.
KN
Tags: Alain Goetz ANTONY J. Blinken Bankole Adeoye Brian Nelson David Satterfield Kennedy Nnamani Lazarus Chakwera Mahamat Déby Molly Phee Ned Price Olusegun Obasanjo
