Africa - US Department of State

Islamic African Relief Agency Aiding Terrorists, U.S. Government Says

U.S. treasury secretary says IARA aided al-Qaida and other such groups

Washington -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury October 13 announced its determination that the global network of the Islamic African Relief Agency (IARA) and five of its senior officials have been providing financial contributions to terrorist organizations. The determination blocks all accounts, funds and assets of IARA in the United States and criminalizes the provision of money or support to any of the organization's more than 40 offices in the United States and worldwide. (complete text)

Small Increase in Ivory Trade Approved by Treaty Nations

Broader expansion of trade rejected by endangered species delegates

Bangkok -- The United States joined the majority of nations participating in a global meeting on endangered species in rejecting a Namibian proposal for a significant expansion of the allowable trade in ivory. Nations participating in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES) did approve Namibia's proposal to allow a small-scale trade in traditional African jewelry containing ivory known as ekipas.

"[W]e firmly believe that the approval of this noncommercial trade for personal use will not result in the poaching of elephants and will directly benefit local communities and craftsmen. We remain consistent in our opposition to commercial trade of ivory," said Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior David P. Smith, the alternate head of the U.S. delegation in a press release issued from the meeting in Bangkok, Thailand. (complete text)

ACOTA Rated Highly During House Hearing on Peacekeeping in Africa

Official, experts see positive results from U.S.-African training partnership

Washington -- The African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) program, a U.S. partnership with African militaries that strengthens peacekeeping and peace enforcement skills, received high marks from policy and defense experts as they discussed the challenges of conflict resolution on the continent October 8.

In testimony before the House Africa Subcommittee, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs James Swigert declared, "Our experience with the ACOTA program has been quite positive," assessing the track record of the African militaries in the program as very favorable. (complete text)