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Democracy and Governance: Regional Economic Development Services Office for East and Southern Africa (REDSO/ESA)
The region of east and southern Africa (ESA) is composed of countries
that, for the most part, have extremely low, or even negative, annual rates of economic growth. They are
among the poorest and least developed nations in the world. Weak national leadership and pervasive
corruption are realities that have inhibited economic progress, while reinforcing an atmosphere of political instability throughout the region. Persistent food insecurity and periodic recurrence of food emergencies negatively affect millions of people in vulnerable groups. Insufficient and deteriorating transportation and communication infrastructure, as well as major policy and bureaucratic obstacles, constrain intra-regional
trade and aggravate internal and cross-border conflicts along porous borders. As a result, political
stability and economic development throughout the region continue to be fragile. In addition, the
presence of an estimated 30 million HIV/AIDS infected people in Sub-Saharan Africa amplifies the
inadequacies of already overburdened public health systems that are unable to cope with severe health
problems such as malaria and other infectious diseases, and high rates of maternal and child mortality.
For the foreseeable future, the HIV/AIDS pandemic will continue to have a major and devastating impact
on development -- across sectors -- throughout this region of Africa.
The Regional Economic Development Services Office for East and Southern Africa (REDSO/ESA)
actively promotes U.S. national interests in ESA by supporting, complementing and enhancing USAID
programs, while managing a unique and innovative program of regional activities. Economic growth,
increased foreign investment, and the promotion of international and intra-regional trade are essential
components of the U.S. Government’s effort to reduce the likelihood that the region will serve as a
breeding ground for international terrorist activities. Strengthening regional African organizations and
institutions with training and new systems to mitigate conflict enhances the strength of national
governments and promotes the application of African solutions to pressing economic and social problems.
A reduction in the transmission of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases will improve health and
diminish the risk of future economic disruption and political disintegration throughout the region.
(Excerpted from the 2005 Congressional Budget Justification for REDSO/ESA)
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