Deputy Secretary William J. Burns is in Africa this week, visiting four countries and ending up at the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
In his opening remarks at Wagagai Flower Farm in Uganda, Deputy Secretary Burns explained that his visit to Uganda is part of the week-long trip across Africa and will lead the U.S. delegation at the African Union summit.
The United States wants to deepen cooperation with Uganda in the fight against HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases, and to improve maternal and child health care.
This latest US interest in Africa may be partly fueled by a wish to counter increased interest by China.
"As Secretary Clinton did in her visit to Africa earlier this month, my trip reaffirms the high priority that the Obama Administration attaches to Africa, and our continuing strong commitment to doing everything that we can to help Africans realize the enormous promise that lies ahead in economics and democratic development, as well as doing everything that we can to help Africans deal with the very real challenges that remain."
- Mr. Burns
A women with AIDS in Mzuzu District, northern Malawi.UN Photo/Andrew Brizzi
Deputy Secretary Burns says the US considers the genuine partnerships it wants to build and strengthen, with equal partners, rather than as senior partners and junior partners.
"I'm especially pleased to have a chance to visit Uganda. I look forward to meeting President Museveni, as well as civil society and human rights leaders. I look forward to the opportunity to highlight the strength of our bilateral relations on a range of issues, including our strong common interest in promoting regional security."
- Mr. Burns
Mr. Burns will highlight the American commitment to help Uganda in the effort to strengthen respect for human rights, the rule of law, and good governance, in the interest of Uganda and its future.
"We have a long history of cooperation and we look forward very much to building on it."
- Mr. Burns
He said health is one of America's most important priorities across Africa and especially in Uganda. He said the U.S. support for the clinic is part of $400 million in assistance to the health sector in Uganda this past year alone.
"Our program of health assistance in Uganda is one of the biggest such programs we have anywhere in the world today."
- Mr. Burns
He noted that the clinic demonstrates the potential of public-private partnerships. It is one of the more than 100 clinics, around the country that the US supports.
"Right now, for example, 16 Ugandan women die in childbirth across this country each day. That's a devastating statistic. We share the determination of Ugandans to reduce that statistic dramatically. Clinics like this one are an essential part of the solution, and an essential part of a more hopeful future for Uganda."
- Mr. Burns
Mina Fabulous follows the news, especially what is going on in the US State Department. Mina turns State Department waffle into plain english. Contact Mina through NewsBlaze.
Search News
