Fashion Week Flash: Tracy Reese Fall 2012 (PHOTOS)
54 Ways to Say "I Love You" In Africa
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's 11-day tour of Africa has come to a close. Clinton says, "I have been filled with hope, and I have seen despair. But I come away with an even greater level of commitment than I had before." Source: AP.
Clinton visited Kenya, South Africa, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Liberia and Cape Verde. The "despair" she spoke of likely refers to the horrific sexual abuses taking place in the Congo, Chad, Sudan, Burundi, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
After learning about the reported sexual violence committed by the Congolese army last year (7,703), Clinton said, "We have to speak out against the impunity of those in positions of authority who either commit these crimes or condone it."
Of the hope in Africa, though, Clinton was said to be impressed by countries, such as Cape Verde, where women "account for more than half the members of Cape Verde's cabinet." Clinton remarked to Prime Minister Jose Maria Neves, "I think the United States can learn a lot from your example."
It is important to see such a decisive commitment of resources to Africa, especially when other administrations have not been as committed. It will be interesting to see what types of substantial gains can be made.
President Obama Pictures
Leftist activists burn a portrait of US President Barack Obama in front of the US Embassy in Buenos Aires on August 12, 2009 during a protest against the US Imperialism and the coup d'Etat in Honduras. AFP PHOTO / JUAN MABROMATA (Photo credit should read JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images)
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Leftist activists burn a portrait of US President Barack Obama in front of the US Embassy in Buenos Aires on August 12, 2009 during a protest against the US Imperialism and the coup d'Etat in Honduras. AFP PHOTO / JUAN MABROMATA (Photo credit should read JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Leftist activists burn a portrait of US President Barack Obama in front of the US Embassy in Buenos Aires on August 12, 2009 during a protest against the US Imperialism and the coup d'Etat in Honduras. AFP PHOTO / JUAN MABROMATA (Photo credit should read JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Health care reform protesters join a demonstration in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, on August 12, 2009. The protesters gathered outside a venue where Democratic US Senator Arlen Specter was holding a town hall meeting on the proposed health reforms. Republicans are loudly fretting over the cost of reform plans by US President Barack Obama, with some branding it "socialism" and warning that the soaring US budget deficit will skyrocket if the president gets his way. AFP PHOTO/Virginie Montet (Photo credit should read Virginie Montet/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Health care reform protesters join a demonstration in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, on August 12, 2009. The protesters gathered outside a venue where Democratic US Senator Arlen Specter was holding a town hall meeting on the proposed health reforms. Republicans are loudly fretting over the cost of reform plans by US President Barack Obama, with some branding it "socialism" and warning that the soaring US budget deficit will skyrocket if the president gets his way. AFP PHOTO/Virginie Montet (Photo credit should read Virginie Montet/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Health care reform protesters join a demonstration in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, on August 12, 2009. The protesters gathered outside a venue where Democratic US Senator Arlen Specter was holding a town hall meeting on the proposed health reforms. Republicans are loudly fretting over the cost of reform plans by US President Barack Obama, with some branding it "socialism" and warning that the soaring US budget deficit will skyrocket if the president gets his way. AFP PHOTO/Virginie Montet (Photo credit should read Virginie Montet/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Health care reform protesters take signs as they join a demonstration in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, on August 12, 2009. The protesters gathered outside a venue where Democratic US Senator Arlen Specter was holding a town hall meeting on the proposed health reforms. Republicans are loudly fretting over the cost of reform plans by US President Barack Obama, with some branding it "socialism" and warning that the soaring US budget deficit will skyrocket if the president gets his way. AFP PHOTO/Virginie Montet (Photo credit should read Virginie Montet/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
US President Barack Obama embraces Professor Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh after presenting the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room at the White House on August 12, 2009. Obama awarded 16 individuals the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honour. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
US President Barack Obama talks presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Professor Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh during a ceremony in the East Room at the White House on August 12, 2009. Obama awarded 16 individuals the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honour. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
US President Barack Obama talks to Professor Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh before presenting the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room at the White House on August 12, 2009. Obama awarded 16 individuals the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honour. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Comments: (2)
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By: eric on 8/17/2009 9:22PM
Africa needs to stand on it's own and try supporting itself for a change! Why would anyone care to help them when it's clear that most Africa nations are completely unable, or unwilling to address their own concerns, needs, and only seek more handouts when the leaders are stealing the aid money! Sadly, there's always Africans killing other Africans on the continent in mass, it's as though it'"business as usual" ...so why should the world care?
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By: Mylinn on 8/18/2009 12:56PM
This world is going to hell in a handbasket with gasoline drawls when people make statements like the one you just made Eric. Africa doesn't have the resources that we have here in America and you wonder why thay keep immigrating over here. If they could stand on their own they wouldn't come here. Being that this land is the land of the free and the home of the brave they will always seek our assistance. I commend Sec. of State Hillary Clinton for going over there and visiting. It's sad to hear that the women over there go through so much hardship...
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