A stop-by-stop account of Clinton's Africa trip
During her seven-country tour, Clinton highlighted the continent's successes, stressed the work yet to be done, and strengthened US trading alliances.
Jake Turcotte/Tracey Samuelson/Staff
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton wraps up her whirlwind tour of Africa Friday, after logging 21,200 miles in 11 days. From massive oil-producing Nigeria to the tiny island-nation of Cape Verde, Secretary Clinton's trip highlighted the many sides of the diverse continent. But her seven-country tour was as much about securing US interests in resource-heavy lands as it was about supporting African development. Following are summaries of her visit in each country:
Skip to next paragraphSubscribe Today to the Monitor
Kenya
A primary goal of Clinton's 11-day trip was to reiterate the message of transparent and corruption-free governance that President Obama urged during his trip to Ghana last month. This reiteration began at the first stop, Kenya.
Indeed, the birthplace of Mr. Obama's father was not spared criticism for its shortcomings. "The absence of strong and democratic institutions has permitted ongoing corruption, impunity, politically motivated violence, human rights abuses, lack of respect for the rule of law," Clinton said at a news conference after meeting with President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Discussions also included trade, agricultural development, and the instability of neighboring Somalia. In addition, Clinton met with Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, president of Somalia's transitional government, to offer reassurance of US support.
South Africa
Clinton's time in South Africa, a country often known as the continent's economic powerhouse, focused on strengthening relations that had soured and stalled during the administrations of former Presidents George W. Bush and Thabo Mbeki.
"In both countries, there are two new administrations which are taking that relationship a level higher," South African President Jacob Zuma said after meeting with Clinton.
Clinton also stressed that South Africa should be a leader for the continent and toured an HIV/AIDS clinic outside of Johannesburg that is partially funded by the United States.
Angola
Oil-rich Angola is strategically attractive to the US. Already, Angola supplies America with 7 percent of its oil imports. Angola's worldwide oil revenues account for approximately 85 percent of its gross domestic product.
Here, Clinton pressed for strong democratic institutions and governmental transparency, pushing President Jose Eduardo dos Santos to hold the country's first presidential elections since 1992. Mr. dos Santos agreed to elections "in a timely manner," according to Clinton.
Clinton also stressed the need for Angola to redevelop its once-productive agricultural industry. And she signed an agreement that provides the country with $17 million to combat HIV/AIDS and prevent new infections. It was one of only two pledges for new aid announced on the trip.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo
Traveling to Goma, a conflict-ridden provincial capital, Clinton focused on the crimes against women that have become widespread in this country and in neighboring Sudan, Uganda, and Rwanda.




