The United States Celebrates 232 Years of Independence

The United States celebrates its Independence Day on July 4, with patriotic celebrations and family events throughout the country.  “Guided by ancient and eternal truths, our forefathers proclaimed to the world that liberty was the natural right of all mankind,”  said President Bush in his annual message to the nation broadcast on this occasion.

Here in Dakar, a reception was held at the new Ambassador’s residence which was inaugurated the same day.  The ceremony was hosted by Chargé d'Affaires Jay Smith. Minister of State Serigne Diop represented the Government of Senegal.

Launching Ceremony of Radio Al Fayda FM

On June 18, Imam Cheikh Hassane Cissé, a prominent Senegalese religious leader from the city of Kaolack officially launched a new FM radio station.  Attending the launch were the Senegalese Minister of Air Transportation Mr. Farba Senghor, the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Officer Mrs. Robin Diallo and Voice of America representatives. This new station, Al Fayda FM, funded by Voice of America (VOA), will focus on development and peace building programs and will provide VOA programming.

Presidential Campaign Enters New Phase as Primaries End

As the final Democratic primary voters cast ballots in South Dakota and Montana June 3, Illinois Senator Barack Obama told his supporters that, “because of you,” he is expected to become the first African-American presidential nominee of a major political party.

“Tonight, after 54 hard-fought contests, our primary season has finally come to an end. … Thousands of miles have been traveled. Millions of voices have been heard. And because of what you said, because you decided that change must come to Washington … tonight we mark the end of one historic journey with the beginning of another, a journey that will bring a new and better day to America,” Obama said. more

Alumni Conference on the Mangrove

On May 21, 2008 the American Embassy, in collaboration with the Senegalese USG Alumni Association and the University of Ziguinchor, sponsored a lively conference on the protection of mangroves at the University of Ziguinchor, in southern Senegal. The keynote speaker, Mr. Elhadj Mbara Sene, former Director of the Forest Resources Division, Forestry Department, discussed the main issues surrounding mangrove protection in Senegal and urged the population to assist in preserving this important natural resource which also helps contribute to the Senegalese economy.  Ziguinchor’s mangroves have been disappearing and authorities are trying to raise public awareness.  Over 250 people attended the conference, including the university’s Rector, the Deputy Governor and a parliamentarian.

New Volunteers Sworn-in

36 new American, Korean and Japanese volunteers were officially sworn-in on Friday, May 9, 2008 in the presence of the Charge d'Affaires, a.i. of the United States of America in Senegal, Mr Jay Smith; the Ambassador of Japan in Senegal, Mr. Takashi Saito; the Ambassador of Korea in Senegal, Mr Choi Dong Hwan and the Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic of Senegal, Mr. Abdoulaye Baldé. These 36 volunteers, including members of the Peace Corps, already completed their language and cultural training courses and will begin their two years’ service in the villages and cities of Senegal next week.

The Peace Corps is a U.S. Government agency promoting peace throughout the world by sharing one of America’s greatest resources, namely volunteers. There are 160 Peace Corps Volunteers in Senegal living and working in all regions of the country.  In Senegal, Peace Corps Volunteers tend to focus on health care, education, small and micro enterprise development, natural resources management, environmental education and ecotourism. 

World Press Freedom Day Supports Journalists Facing Threats

Global events marking World Press Freedom Day May 3 will spotlight repression against independent journalists and murders of members of the media, many of which go unpunished, press freedom advocates tell America.gov.
Press Freedom Day will remind the world that 171 journalists were killed in 2007 while pursuing their work, a number just short of the yearly record, and hundreds more were threatened, imprisoned or tortured, says the United Nations. The U.N. General Assembly in 1993 established each May 3 as the commemorative day for press freedom. more
- Statement by President Bush on World Press Freedom Day
The United Nations honored slain Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya in 2007
for her work in promoting press freedom. (© AP Images)

World Malaria Day: President's Malaria Initiative Helping Save Lives, Treat Disease

Efforts to reduce deaths caused by malaria in 15 African countries are succeeding because of a cooperative strategy based on partnerships between the United States and each African nation, says first lady Laura Bush.
"In 2005, President Bush took action to respond to this crisis by launching the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI).  PMI is a five-year, $1.2 billion program that's combating malaria in 15 African focus countries," says Mrs. Bush.  "Partnerships are at the heart of PMI's strategy."  more
- Malaria Awareness Day, 2008: The Proclamation by the President Bush

Africa Partnership Station: the USS Fort McHenry in Dakar

The United States Navy Ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) of the Africa Partnership Station visited Senegal from April 2 to 12, 2008.
During this second visit, the Africa Partnership Station delegation organized follow-up training for local Navy personnel and participated in a symposium on security and safety at sea.  Volunteer work was also performed at a local orphanage and at a Koranic school located in Pikine, which is affiliated with the local NGO Tostan.
The Africa Partnership Station (APS) is a multinational effort aiming to enhance regional maritime safety and security in West and Central Africa.  APS includes Navy personnel from 8 different African, European and North American countries.

U.S. Releases Human Rights Reports for 2007

At a March 11 press conference marking the public release of the annual 2007 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, Rice said: “In every region of the world, men and women are working peacefully, and often at great risk to themselves and their families, to secure human rights and fundamental freedoms, to follow their consciences and speak their minds without fear, to choose those who would govern them and to hold their leaders accountable and to achieve equal justice under the law. more

- Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2007
- 2007 Annual Human Rights Report for Senegal

Dakar’s American Information Center Partners with a Senegalese Islamic Educational Institution

The Dakar American Information Center (AIC) hosted two library interns from the Al Azhar Institute in Touba.  Al Azhar is the educational institution of the important Mouride Islamic Brotherhood in Senegal.  Two staff members from the institute spent a week at the AIC learning the basics of library management and learning to use IIP’s Arabic language resources, gathering information on Islam in America, as well as information on health, education and business. 

First U.S. Envoy to Organization of the Islamic Conference Named

President Bush has appointed high-tech executive Sada Cumber as America’s first special envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

“The core of his mission is to explain to the Islamic world that America is a friend -- a friend of freedom, a friend of peace,” Bush said after a February 27 Oval Office meeting with Cumber.

Born in Karachi, Pakistan, in 1951, Cumber immigrated to the United States in 1978 and has been a U.S. citizen since 1986.  A successful and well-known entrepreneur based in Austin, Texas, Cumber has founded six companies in the past 25 years, and most recently served as chief executive officer of SozoTek, a firm that specializes in wireless imaging. more

President Bush Cites Positive Changes in Africa

Africa has changed “in a very positive way” since President Bush first took office seven years ago, he said in Ghana February 20.  He attributed that positive change to the work of African leaders.

“There were six regional conflicts when I was elected president," Bush said at a press conference with Ghanaian President John Kufuor.  "Take Liberia, for example.  It was a real issue and a real problem, along with Nigeria.  With John’s advice for example, I made some decisions along with other leaders that helped put in place the first democratically elected woman [president] in the continent’s history,” Bush said, referring to Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. more

Army General Nominated to Head New U.S. Africa Command

General William E. Ward, an Army officer, is President Bush’s choice to be the first chief of the new U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), which will coordinate U.S. government support for nations across the continent. (more)