Status of Carson Nomination as Assistant Secretary of African Affairs
Lauri Edwina Elliott
May 04, 2009
Obama´s nominee for Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Johnnie Carson, testified at his nomination hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs on April 29. Carson, a career diplomat focused on Africa, spoke of the importance of Africa to the United States, including as a major trading partner. Carson mentioned the progress Africa has made in the last decade with improving democracy and governance, improving economic conditions and reducing conflicts. However, Carson noted that these also remain challenges for Africa.
Carson identified four priorities for Africa that he would pursue. The first key priority is "strengthening Africa´s democratic institutions and encouraging good governance and rule of law." The second key priority is "working with African countries to prevent conflict and build local capacity in conflict mediation and peacekeeping." The third key priority is "fostering sustained economic development and growth in the wake of the current global economic downturn." And the fourth key priority is "partnering with Africa to combat global threats like health pandemics, climate change, food insecurity, narcotics trafficking and maritime insecurity."
He seems to have support from both parties. Leading members of the Senate Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on African Affairs, Senator Russell Feingold and Senator Johnny Isakson, engaged Carson as someone with which they look forward to working. Senator Feingold is Chairman of the Subcommittee on African Affairs and a democrat. Senator Isakson is Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on African Affairs and a republican. Carson also received bi-partisan support from U.S. House Representatives John Payne and Ed Royce, both having served on the House Subcommittee on Africa.
Carson must now be nominated by the full Foreign Affairs Committee and Senate. To track the progress, of his nomination, check the Library of Congress THOMAS database on Presidential Nominations at http://thomas.loc.gov/home/nomis.html.
Carson identified four priorities for Africa that he would pursue. The first key priority is "strengthening Africa´s democratic institutions and encouraging good governance and rule of law." The second key priority is "working with African countries to prevent conflict and build local capacity in conflict mediation and peacekeeping." The third key priority is "fostering sustained economic development and growth in the wake of the current global economic downturn." And the fourth key priority is "partnering with Africa to combat global threats like health pandemics, climate change, food insecurity, narcotics trafficking and maritime insecurity."
He seems to have support from both parties. Leading members of the Senate Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on African Affairs, Senator Russell Feingold and Senator Johnny Isakson, engaged Carson as someone with which they look forward to working. Senator Feingold is Chairman of the Subcommittee on African Affairs and a democrat. Senator Isakson is Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on African Affairs and a republican. Carson also received bi-partisan support from U.S. House Representatives John Payne and Ed Royce, both having served on the House Subcommittee on Africa.
Carson must now be nominated by the full Foreign Affairs Committee and Senate. To track the progress, of his nomination, check the Library of Congress THOMAS database on Presidential Nominations at http://thomas.loc.gov/home/nomis.html.
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