2005 Press Releases

United States Initiatives to support Africa’s Development At the conclusion of the G-8 summit

June 13, 2005

Freetown 
Tel: 226481

The leaders of the G-8 Summit took significant steps to make the world better and safer and improve human life, in contrast to the terrorists who seek to destroy it.  President George Bush complimented Prime Minister Blair for his leadership in spotlighting the important issues of Africa and climate.  Africa is making great political and economic progress.  The United States is ready to take the next steps with Africa to achieve historic victories over extreme poverty using tested and proven policies. 
 
These include agreeing to debt relief, scaling up the fight against malaria, addressing urgent human needs, improving education, particularly for girls, and increasing development assistance, greater trade and investment, and greater support for peace and stability.   The highlights include:

• With the leadership from President Bush and Prime Minister Blair, the G-8 countries agreed to cancel 100% of the bilateral and multilateral debt for qualifying Heavily Indebted Poor Countries.  It is also important that the agreement preserves the financial integrity of the international financial institutions.
• The President pledged to increase U.S. funding of malaria prevention and treatment by more than $1.2 billion over 5 years.  The goal is to reduce malaria deaths by 50 percent in targeted African counties.
• The United States has already provided nearly $1.4 billion this fiscal year for humanitarian needs in Africa, some through the United Nations and some directly to non-governmental organizations providing relief in emergency settings.  The $674 million announced June 7 will bring total funding for Fiscal Year 05 to more than $2 billion.  
• The G-8, through its "Ending the Cycle of Famine" initiative, is engaged with the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and others to address the root causes of famine, including through more sustainable land and water management, market-oriented agricultural policies, improved infrastructure, access to finance, more developed regional markets, and science and technology.
• The G-8 reaffirmed the belief that private enterprise is a prime engine of growth and development. Consistent with the President's policy, the G-8 agreed that an ambitious and balanced conclusion to the Doha Round is the best way to make trade work for Africa and increase African countries' integration into the global economy.  The U.S. is committed to cutting agricultural subsidies via the Doha Round of the World Trade Organization negotiations and will work with other industrialized countries toward that goal.
• The G-8 affirmed that peace is the first condition of successful development and recommitted to support Africa's efforts to build a peaceful and stable Africa. The President urged the continued support to African initiatives to prevent, mediate and resolve conflict, particularly backing the continued capacity development of the African Union.

On his way to the G-8 Summit, President George Bush announced support for African nations through several major initiatives for Africa.  He stated: “The whole world will benefit from prosperity and stability in the African continent, and the peoples of Africa deserve the peace, freedom and opportunity that are the natural rights of all mankind.”

Education

The U.S. Government’s Africa Education Initiative improves the quality and accessibility of basic education for millions of children in sub-Saharan Africa.   Sierra Leone benefits directly from the total amount of $400 million.  The funding will be used to for the training of teachers and administrators, the awarding of scholarships, providing and distributing 10 million textbooks and related learning and teaching materials, and to build schools and provide opportunities inside and outside the classroom.  President Tejan Kabbah and Ambassador Hull launched the Ambassador’s Girls Scholarship Program in Port Loko a few weeks ago. Beneficiaries will be dispersed throughout the Bombali, Port Loko, Kono, Kailahun and Koinadugu districts.

Women’s Justice and Empowerment in Africa initiative promises $55 million support for strengthening the capacity of the legal system to protect women and punish violators by training police, prosecutors and judges in sexual violence and abuse cases against women. It will also be used to complement America’s ongoing efforts to stem the spread of HIV/AIDS and fight human trafficking in Africa.

Trade and Investment

The U.S. sees greater trade and investment as the engine for economic growth.  The U.S. will again, double assistance to Africa between 2004 and 2010 after having tripled aid to Africa the previous five years.  The G-8 agreed that development requires not just aid, but better governance, stability and peace in order for the private sector to grow and create jobs.

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) offers preferential trade benefits to eligible Sub-Saharan African countries (currently 37, including Sierra Leone), two-way trade between the United States and Sub-Saharan Africa topped $44 billion in 2004.  From 2000-2004, U.S. imports from Sub-Saharan Africa increased by more than 50% and U.S. exports to Sub-Saharan Africa increased 44%, thanks in part to the more business-friendly environment AGOA has promoted.  

Over 98% of imports from AGOA countries entered the United States duty-free in 2004.

Peace and Stability

The Administration has led the international community's successful efforts to remove Charles Taylor from power peacefully and to help Liberia recover from decades of civil war and a near-total absence of government services and of respect for the rule of law. In FY2004-2005, the Administration has allocated over $700 million for international peacekeeping efforts, security sector reform, good governance, elections, as well as humanitarian relief, resettlement, education, and community revitalization programs for those affected by the fighting. Peace has returned to Liberia, and elections are scheduled.  

The U.S. supported international efforts that helped end the civil war in Sierra Leone in 2002 and has been the largest contributor to the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL), which is helping to secure long-term peace and stability by prosecuting war criminals. The U.S. has taken a lead in addressing the threat to stability posed by unregulated alluvial diamond mining, illicit trading, and exploitation of young miners.

Over half of the African peacekeeping units deployed worldwide have received U.S. training and equipment.  In Sierra Leone, the U.S. Defense Attaché Office offers military training assistance, as well as funds the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces HIV/AIDS Awareness Program.  Also, three U.S. military members are attached to the British-led International Military Advisory Training Team, offering military training and guidance to the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces.

"We believe Africa is a continent full of promise and talent and opportunity, and the United States will do our part to help the people of Africa realize the brighter future they deserve." President George W. Bush, June 13, 2005

INFORMATTION FOR MEDIA – NOT FOR ADVERTISING