U.S. AFRICA LEADERS SUMMIT OPENS TODAY
The U.S. – Africa Leaders Summit opens today in Washington D.C. (Photo: US President Barack Obama)
The summit aimed at consolidating ties between the United States and countries in sub Saharan African begins with four signature events which includes Civil Society Forum, and Sessions on Investing in Women, Peace and Security, Investing in Health , Investing in Africa’s Future, Resilience and Food Security in the Changing Climate, and Combating Wildlife Trafficking.
This summit, being the first of its kind, is organized around the theme” Investing in the next generation, which pays heed to an increasing U.S. policy focus on expanding trade and investment ties with Africa, and the Political, economic and security related opportunities and challenges associated with the youthful population.
However, Information reveals that all African Heads of State were invited, among which are the Presidents of Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia, and countries whose heads of States were not invited include Central African Republic (CAR), due to its suspension from the AU, and Eritrea, Sudan, and Zimbabwe, due to sanctions. Therefore these countries are either suspended from the AU, or are not in good standing with the United States.
According to information from Administration officials, no bilateral meetings between President Obama and any African Heads of State are planned, due to a desire to give all the African Leaders an equal voice, the information adds.
Speaking to a Liberian Journalist, Joaquin Sendolo, participating in this Year’s U.S.Commitment to Africa Reporting Tour 2014, he said that with the current EBOLA outbreak worsening in the three West African Countries, namely Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, it is unclear as to whether the Presidents of these three countries will attend the summit.
No confirmation on the arrival of the Sierra Leone Delegation to the summit, as at Press time ( Reporting Time).
More update on the First U.S. Africa Leaders’ Summit.
Tiana Alpha
4th August 2014
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