Hillary Clinton Visits Dakar

Hillary Clinton Visits Dakar [Photo Embassy Dakar]

Hillary Clinton with Staff at Yoff hospital[Photo Embassy Dakar]

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton kicked off an 11-day African tour on Tuesday, July 31, with a stop in Dakar, Senegal.  She was greeted at the airport by Foreign Minister Cissé, who is a proud alumnus of the prestigious Humphrey Fellowship program.

The Secretary’s visit to Senegal, West Africa's oldest republic, clearly highlights her focus on democracy, one pillar of the Obama Administration’s comprehensive strategy on Sub-Saharan Africa.  In her speech at the Cheikh Anta Diop University, she highlighted U.S. development efforts in Africa, including the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).  She garnered whole-hearted applause when she reminded the audience that Africa has seven of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and said that “if you want to make a good investment in the midst of what is still a very difficult global economy, go to Africa.”  And Secretary Clinton stressed U.S.-Senegal efforts to combat terrorism; tackle regional threats such a drug trafficking; and support peace and security throughout the region and the world.

On Wednesday morning, Secretary Clinton visited the Philippe Maguilen Senghor Health Center near Dakar.  The Health Center receives material support from the United States government, including supplies of pharmaceutical drugs, family planning commodities, and insecticide treated bed nets (part of the President’s Malaria Initiative).  Health care providers at this center have received essential training in pre natal and post natal care, obstetric care, family planning, and prevention and treatment of malaria and childhood illnesses.

On Thursday morning, the Secretary left Dakar to continue her trip through Africa.