Contact:
Steve Fox
202-822-5200
sfox@fenton.com
Emily Dulcan
415-901-0111
edulcan@fenton.com
Contact:
Allyn Brooks-LaSure (Save Darfur) 202-478-6174
press@savedarfur.org
Nanda Chitre (ENOUGH), 202-481-8245
info@enoughproject.org
Ending the catastrophe in Darfur requires international protection for civilians, a peace agreement that resolves the underlying political issues, and accountability for human rights abuses. Complete humanitarian access must also be assured. To achieve any of these goals, there must be meaningful consequences for individuals who impede efforts at protection, peacemaking, and humanitarian access.
The crisis in Kenya poses an enormous challenge to the United States, not least because it has already triggered the killing of over 1000 Kenyans and displaced hundreds of thousands. Kenya has experienced violence in the wake of every election in its modern history, and though the recent violence is unprecedented, its roots extend well beyond the feud between Mwai Kibaki’s Party of National Unity, or PNU, and Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement, or ODM.
On the eve of his second trip to sub-Saharan Africa, President Bush announced Thursday that he will dispatch Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Kenya, a fresh sign of U.S. concern about the political discord that has troubled the East African nation.
Bush has come under pressure to involve his administration in efforts to stem the violence in Kenya, until weeks ago considered one of the most stable democracies in Africa.
United States President George W. Bush was scheduled Friday to begin a five-nation African tour designed to highlight his legacy on the continent.
Bush is expected to visit Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and Liberia, where he will meet with each country's head of state and visit schools and community projects. He will be accompanied by first lady Laura Bush, making her fifth visit to the continent.
On the eve of a planned trip to Africa, President Bush thrust himself into the role of peacemaker on Thursday, as his plans to promote American efforts against poverty and disease gave way to a more pressing imperative: addressing the violence and turmoil on the continent.
In much of the world, President Bush's foreign policy will be remembered for the Iraq war. But in these emerald hills in central Africa, his legacy looks brighter.
As bright, in fact, as the face of 19-year-old Jeanne Aribatuka, who was diagnosed with HIV while she was pregnant with her only child. She started taking antiretroviral drugs nine months ago and has gained 7 pounds. Her almond eyes dance when she says it.
President George W. Bush set off Friday on a five-nation tour of Africa, touting American compassion for the poor on a continent where he already basks in high approval ratings.
Bush aims to use the week-long Africa voyage, likely his last as US president, to bolster his legacy and highlight US efforts to resolve regional disputes, promote democratic reform and help eradicate HIV/AIDS and malaria.
President Bush's current tour of Africa is widely viewed as a celebration of his historic efforts in battling poverty and disease here. But listen closely to Mr. Bush and his aides, and you might conclude that a higher power is at work -- and it's achieving near-miraculous results.
