US Secretary of State, John Kerry Visits Africa

He is expected to meet with President Uhuru Kenyatta for talks on regional security, counter-terrorism cooperation and bilateral issues.

Mr Kerry will also meet with Kenyan Foreign Minister Amina Mohamed and other regional foreign ministers to discuss key challenges in East Africa, including the prospects for resumption of a political process in South Sudan and support to Somalia’s political transition and ongoing fight against al-Shabaab. 

He will from there proceed to meet with participants in the Young African Leaders Initiative and the Mandela Washington Fellows programmes, which are US programmes targeting young leaders in sub-Saharan Africa.

Between August 23 and 24, the Secretary will travel to Sokoto and Abuja, Nigeria, where he will meet with President Buhari to discuss counterterrorism efforts, the Nigerian economy, the fight against corruption, and human rights issues.

In Sokoto, he will deliver a speech on the importance of resilient communities and religious tolerance in countering violent extremism. 

In Abuja, the Secretary will meet with a group of adolescent girls working to change community perceptions that devalue the role of girls in society.  He will also meet with northern governors and religious leaders.

On August 24-25, Secretary Kerry will travel to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for a series of meetings with senior Saudi leaders, his counterparts from the Gulf Cooperation Council, the United Kingdom, and the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen.