The US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, leaves on Tuesday for a 10-day African sojourn, which her close aide said is aimed at strengthening democratic institutions, spurring economic growth and advancing peace.
The July 31-August 10 trip would take her through Senegal, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi and South Africa.
In South Africa, Clinton will pay her respects to ex-President Nelson Mandela, and participate in the US-South Africa Strategic Dialogue focusing on the partnership between the two countries in addressing issues of mutual concern and shared challenges on the African and world stage.
Clinton’s first stop will be Senegal, where she will meet its Sall and other national leaders and deliver a speech applauding the resilience of Senegal's democratic institutions and highlighting America's approach to partnership.
From Senegal, Clinton will travels to South Sudan and then to Uganda.
"The Secretary will then travel to Kenya where she plans to meet President Kibaki, Prime Minister Odinga, and other government officials to emphasise her support for transparent, credible, non-violent national elections in 2013," the State Department spokesperson, Victoria Nuland, said.
"To underscore US support for completing the political transition in Somalia by August 20, secretary Clinton will also meet with President Sheikh Sharif and other signatories to the roadmap to end the transition," she said in a statement.
{{/usCountry}}"To underscore US support for completing the political transition in Somalia by August 20, secretary Clinton will also meet with President Sheikh Sharif and other signatories to the roadmap to end the transition," she said in a statement.
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