Editors in America, been a part of the live interactive session observed the United States government interests in the African continent which includes: \u201cO<\/strong>ur interests in Africa being the people of Africa.\u00a0 Every policy initiative that we have taken over the past few years focused on\u00a0Africa\u2019s people.\u00a0 And as we look at the four pillars of our\u00a0U.S.\u00a0foreign policy, it\u2019s strengthening democratic institutions that, again, focus on people.\u00a0 We want to promote regional peace and security.\u00a0 We want to engage young African leaders like all of you who are sitting in the room.\u00a0 And we want to promote development, trade, and investment.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\u201cSo those are the core policy pillars, but for those of you who followed the President\u2019s visit to\u00a0Africa\u00a0a few months ago, he announced three major initiatives.\u00a0 And again, these are initiatives that focus on people.\u00a0 He announced Power Africa, which will look at the possibility of working with some of our African colleagues to bring electricity to 80 percent of the population who have never had electricity.\u00a0 He announced Trade Africa, which is an initiative that will look at trade in\u00a0East Africa\u00a0to start, how African countries can better trade among themselves, but also to encourage the trade with the\u00a0United States.\u00a0 And then third, and one of the most important initiatives, is YALI, the Young Africa Leaders Initiative, which will have us work with young leaders all over the continent.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs you know, more than 60 percent of Africans, almost in every country \u2013 and this figure might be quibbled with a little bit \u2013 but about 60 percent are ages 35 and below, and we really want to focus on helping to build the leadership skills of those young people so that they can move into positions of authority in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
This former United States (U.S.) Ambassador to Liberia and previously a Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Africa Bureau, very skilled in African affairs explained from Washington DC that she\u2019s talking to the African press about\u00a0U.S.\u00a0policy in Sub-Sahara Africa.\u00a0Her words: \u201cThe State Department and USAID are major, major funders on the continent of Africa, are national security agencies.\u00a0 And because of that, we are able to continue operations, albeit sometimes at lower levels as we move forward.\u00a0 But most of our funding right now is 2013 funding, and that funding will continue. \u00a0We\u2019re hoping that this is short-lived and we will be able to move forward, but I think most of you will not see any difference in what we\u2019re doing in\u00a0Africa\u00a0on the development front or on the investment front.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
On Terrorism in Africa\u2026says \u2018Boko Haram is a Terrorist Group in Nigeria\u2019<\/b><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
Linda stated that <\/b>\u201cWe do consider Boko Haram a terrorist group.\u00a0 We have sanctioned all the top three leaders of Boko Haram.\u00a0 And we are working very, very closely with the Nigerian Government as they address this security threat.\u00a0 We believe that terrorism anywhere affects people everywhere, and we want to be involved in assisting our colleagues, whether it\u2019s in Kenya or Somalia or Nigeria, in addressing this threat.\u00a0I want to offer my condolences to the people of\u00a0Kenya\u00a0following the Westgate terrorist attack, and I want to announce again that in\u00a0Nigeria, we are horrified by the attack on young people at this college, and we do see that as a terrorist act.\u00a0 And I offer my condolences to the people of\u00a0Nigeria\u00a0as well.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, we \u2013 the Westgate event was an event, again, that affected many, many people, not just the Kenyan people.\u00a0 There were nationals from many other countries who were affected by that.\u00a0 As you know, President Obama called President Kenyatta to express our condolences and offer our assistance to the Kenyan people.\u00a0 So we will continue to support the Kenyan people as they deal with terrorism, as they have dealt with the fire at the airport, and as they move forward to provide security for all of their people.\u00a0 The position of the U.S. Government, as I started out at the beginning, we work with the people of\u00a0Africa.\u00a0 And the people of Kenya\u00a0are important to all of our policies.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of my first trips as Assistant Secretary was to attend the inauguration of President Keita in Mali, and it was really an amazing event.\u00a0 There were 20 heads of state from around\u00a0Africa, as well as the President of France and the King of Morocco.\u00a0 All of that says how much we, as an international community, support Mali.\u00a0The election, I think, happening 18 months after the coup d\u2019\u00e9tat sent a strong message to those who would use coups to overturn governments that that is unacceptable.\u00a0 We are looking forward to working with the Government of Mali as the government moves to address many of the issues that resulted from the coup d\u2019\u00e9tat.\u00a0 And we are very, very \u2013 we have made very, very strong statements that the military must be subordinate to civilian leaders.\u00a0 And we will work with the Mali Government to ensure that that\u2019s the case in\u00a0Mali\u00a0as well as in other locations where the military might be looking to do the kinds of things that were done in\u00a0Mali.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
On New Govt in Mali & Conflict in Africa<\/b><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
Linda said \u201cWe are actively involved in\u00a0Africa.\u00a0 And of course, conflicts in Africa\u00a0are not beneficial to the people of\u00a0Africa.\u00a0 One \u2013 again, my very first trip as Assistant Secretary was to the Great Lake regions to meet with the Government of Rwanda and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo as tensions were rising in that region.\u00a0 We\u2019ve been proactively involved in the situation in CAR to ensure that that conflict does not spread, but also to help that country address the issues that have resulted in the conflict.\u00a0 We\u2019re working very, very closely with the Government of Somalia to ensure that conflict there does not occur again.<\/p>\n
So again, I think all of this is to say that we are concerned about conflict.\u00a0 We want to ensure that African countries benefit from prosperity, that they take advantage of the opportunities that are there so that\u00a0Africa\u00a0can move smartly into the next century.<\/p>\n
On Gay Rights & Same Sex Marriage in Malawi<\/b><\/p>\n
Her words: \u201cThe United States believe that all people are created equal.\u00a0 I\u2019m an African American.\u00a0 I have gone through the experience of being in a country where there were questions about that.\u00a0 So for us, it is unequivocal that regardless of people\u2019s sexual orientation, regardless of their gender, we want all people to be treated with all the rights and protections of human rights that we expect in all countries.\u00a0 So we are prepared, as the United States with very strong values in this area, to work with countries in Africa to help them develop the legislation that will provide human rights to all of its people.\u00a0And in the case of\u00a0Malawi, we\u2019re prepared to work with that government.\u00a0 We\u2019re prepared to work with other governments that have issues in this area.\u00a0 But I think I can say without any doubt that human rights are a core value of the\u00a0United States, and that plays into all of our relations with every government we\u2019re involved in.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Is Rwanda supporting the M23 rebels?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
She further said \u201cWe have had meetings in the region with the Government of Rwanda, with the Government of DRC.\u00a0 As you know, Secretary Kerry appointed Senator Feingold to work on conflict in that area.\u00a0 We have made it clear in our discussions that any support of any rebel group, whether it\u2019s M23 or FDLR, any support of those rebel groups is seen as contributing to conflict in the region.\u00a0 So we have expressed our views to the Government of Rwanda, to the Government of DRC, and we\u2019re working closely with partners in the region to ensure that groups like M23 are demobilized, disarmed, and held accountable for all actions that they have taken against the civilian population in DRC.\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
On reports if U.S. has stopped military support to Rwanda and some other countries, as well as child solders usage?<\/b><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
Linda says \u201c<\/b>Under the Child Soldiers Prevention Act, we have just announced those countries that are being sanctioned under that act, and Rwanda is one of those countries.\u00a0 Our goal is to work with countries that have been listed to ensure that any involvement in child soldiers, any involvement in the recruitment of child soldiers, must stop.\u00a0 In this case, it was related to M23, and we will continue to have discussions with the Rwandan Government on that issue.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
U.S.\u00a0stance on diamond companies in Zimbabwe <\/b><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
This African diplomat said \u201cI\u2019m not sure I know the answer to that question, but I can say to you that, in the case of Zimbabwe, our sanctions continue.\u00a0 We will be reviewing those sanctions on a regular basis, and if there are additional individuals who should be sanctioned, we are prepared to add them to our sanction list.\u00a0 And if there are people who we think can be removed from the sanction list, we will remove them from the list.<\/p>\n
I will add that we were disappointed with the election.\u00a0 While it was violent-free, we\u2019re not convinced it provided an opportunity for all Zimbabweans to express their views in the election. \u00a0And again, we will be reviewing our sanctions in light of that.\u201d<\/p>\n
US position on Kenya pulling out of the ICC after parliament passed a motion urging the government to withdraw from the court <\/b><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Naija Standard<\/i> <\/b>noted that Linda minced no words when she said \u201cThe decision by the Government of Kenya to pull out of the courts \u2013 and we don\u2019t know that they have, in fact, made that decision \u2013 doesn\u2019t have an impact on the current cases against the president or the deputy president.\u00a0 As you know, we are not a signator to the Rome Convention, but we work very, very closely with the member states to ensure that the ICC is able to carry out its responsibilities and its duties.\u00a0 We will look forward to continuing to work on those issues and hear what African governments have to say about this.\u00a0 But our efforts are to ensure that the court is able to continue to function in a way that allows it to deal with some of the issues that are before the court.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
What areas of partnership does the U.S. have with Ghana?<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
She observed \u201cI was in New York last week, and I met with your president.\u00a0 We have a very, very strong partnership with the Government of Ghana.\u00a0 We are very, very pleased with the results of the Supreme Court decision where Ghana had a free, fair election and it was confirmed by your senate, and it was accepted by the opposition.\u00a0 I think that says a lot about how far Ghana has come as a democracy and how strong Ghana\u2019s democracy is.\u00a0 So again, we look forward to working with Ghana.\u00a0 We have lots of investments in Ghana.\u00a0 Ghana is a recipient of a Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact.\u00a0 We again encourage the people of Ghana to continue to move forward as a strong democracy and as a model in the \u2013 on the continent, and particularly in the region of West Africa.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Corruption is the bane of Nigeria\u2019s economic growth.\u00a0 How can the U.S. assist?<\/b><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
She said \u201cCorruption, as I\u2019ve been quoted saying many times, is a cancer.\u00a0 Corruption thwarts a country\u2019s ability to prosper, and we are working with the Nigerian Government, with its justice sector, and other elements to ensure that Nigeria builds the infrastructure and the capacity to deal with issues of corruption.\u00a0 I think it goes without saying that Nigeria\u2019s prosperity has been affected by corruption.\u00a0 It\u2019s a reputation that Nigeria will have a hard time living down, and we hope that we\u2019re able over the next few years to work with the government to ensure that those individuals who are involved in corruption are held accountable in the legal system of Nigeria.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
How did the U.S. see the election of October 25th<\/sup>in Madagascar?<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Her words: \u201cWe are hopeful that this election is one that will allow the Madagascar people to move forward, that the election will allow \u2013 the next election will allow all candidates who are eligible to run for president, and that there\u2019s a free, fair, transparent election that, again, will get Madagascar off of the list of countries that have been sanctioned by us and others because of the problems that they have had and Madagascar can start moving forward economically, as well as, as a democratic and a politically stable country.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
How would you involve young sub-Saharan young people in the resolution of conflicts in sub-Saharan countries, as they are numerous here?<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Linda states that \u201cAs I mentioned at the start, the population of youth in Africa is significantly high.\u00a0 I won\u2019t quote the statistic because it changes depending on who\u2019s quoting it, but African youth have been the victims of conflict all over Africa \u2013 they have been victims of recruiting, they have been victims of violence \u2013 and we want to see young Africans also be beneficiaries of prosperity in Africa.\u00a0 So the Young Africa Leadership Initiative that the President announced in June when he was in Africa is our effort to start addressing the youth bulge and helping develop the capacity of youth to take on leadership roles in the future, whether it\u2019s in politics, the private sector, academics.\u00a0 We are hoping over the next few months to start the recruitment process for a leadership forum for young African leaders that will take place next summer in the United States.\u00a0 They will spend about three months here where they will get \u2013 have courses on leadership.\u00a0 And then we hope they go back and they use what they have learned to help build the \u2013 build on the prosperity that is possible in the countries that they\u2019re from.\u00a0 And then on top of that, we hope that they develop relationships across borders so that when there\u2019s conflict, they\u2019re able to talk to each other because they know each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
What is the U.S. Govt doing to help African countries build strong institutions?<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Linda gave straight answers by saying: \u201cI\u2019ll use the example of Liberia, where \u2013 I know better than any country; I served there for almost four years \u2013 and we work very, very closely with that government to help rebuild their institutions after more than 15 years in conflict.\u00a0 And this is a policy that we have across Africa.\u00a0 So we are working in ministries of health, we\u2019re working in ministries of education, we\u2019re working with the justice sector, with the minister of justice to build the institution of justice, we\u2019re working with court systems.\u00a0 So this is an important contribution that we are making to help countries move forward in the future.<\/p>\n
Power Africa is an amazing example where we will be working with institutions in that country to build not only the regulations that allow for power to be developed in Africa, but also working with the private sector to help build up initiatives that will allow us to bring electricity across the continent.\u201d<\/p>\n
On rape of women in Congo and in general<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Her answer: \u201cI think it\u2019s horrible.\u00a0 I think women, whether it\u2019s in Congo or any place in the world, women are greater victims of violence and conflict than any other population.\u00a0 And we have worked very, very closely with the UN, with NGOs, using funding from USAID, from our office of Population, Refugees, and Migration, to deal with women who are victims of violence.\u00a0 It is something that we all have to address, and we also have to work to hold those accountable who are involved in raping women in conflict.\u00a0 And in several cases in DRC, some have been held accountable, but I think more needs to be done.\u00a0 We all have to add our voices of horror to the attacks that have taken place on women across the world, not just in Africa.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
On<\/b> U.S. President pledged seven billion to help combat frequent power blackouts in sub-Saharan Africa<\/b><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
In her very intelligent reply, she states that <\/b>\u201cPower Africa has begun in the sense that the initiative is moving forward.\u00a0 We are working with private companies as well.\u00a0 Six countries were selected; I think they are just a start for what we would want to do.\u00a0 USAID is leading the initiative on Power Africa.\u00a0 We\u2019re working, again, with our energy office in the State Department as well, and our economic office, and we\u2019re hoping that we can work with institutions on the continent of Africa to develop this initiative.\u00a0 I think this is going to be an initiative that will have a widespread impact, because with power, companies are able to invest.\u00a0 With power, children are able to go to school.\u00a0 With power, health and hospitals are able to function.\u00a0 So this is major for Africa.\u00a0 And while we will \u2013 it will take some years for the results to be felt, it\u2019s going to take a lot of work and we are \u2013 we\u2019ve started.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Regarding U.S.\u2019s new focus on the African continent in countering the influence of emerging economies like China<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Her remarks: \u201cI get asked that question everywhere in Africa.\u00a0 And my answer to that question is:\u00a0 we\u2019re not competing with China in Africa.\u00a0 The U.S. has core values that promote the development of Africa, and we have been in Africa since the beginning.\u00a0 And so, our efforts are not in competition with China.\u00a0 Our efforts are in support of the desires of African people.\u00a0 And the needs in Africa are great, so I think African countries can work with the Chinese to work to get what is in their best interest.\u00a0 But they should not see it in their interest a competition between the United States and Africa, because that doesn\u2019t exist.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
P<\/b>rograms in trade and investments in Africa<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
She explained \u201cWell, let me just talk about AGOA, the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act initiative.\u00a0 Ethiopia hosted a very, very successful AGOA forum a few months ago, and more than a hundred representatives from the U.S. Government participated in that.\u00a0 AGOA provides an opportunity for African countries to bring tariff-free trade into the United States, and I think the figure is around $34 million \u2013 $34 billion in trade in the past year.\u00a0 And we\u2019re hoping to continue with efforts like AGOA.\u00a0 We have a very strong investment initiative that is being supported by our U.S. Trade Representative\u2019s office, and we work very, very closely with businesses that are interested in investing in Africa.\u00a0 So we have a lot going on the investment side, and I think those of you who are on the continent right now probably see evidence of that.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
U.S.\u2019s concern on Ghana\u2019s economy<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Linda shed more lights that \u201cWe are very supportive of the people of Ghana and the Government of Ghana, as the government moves forward.\u00a0 We are working to help countries have more transparent budgets.\u00a0 We\u2019re working with countries to help them deal with issues of spending.\u00a0 I don\u2019t have the exact information that you\u2019re referring to on Ghana right now, but I can tell you that we will continue to work with Ghana to address their requirements, and we will continue to support the government\u2019s movement to help the investment climate, so that there are more businesses coming to Ghana, creating more jobs, and hopefully, creating more opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
If US could stop terrorist attacks before it happens in Africa<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
In her pointblank answer, she states \u201cMy answer to that question is simple:\u00a0 If something could have been done to stop those events, it would have been done.\u00a0 We, in the United States, have been victims of terrorist acts in the United States.\u00a0 We\u2019re working very, very closely with the security services both in Nigeria and Kenya and across Africa.\u00a0 In Mali, for example, to address terrorism, to work to thwart terrorist efforts to attack countries, and I think, many terrorist acts that might have happened have been stopped.\u00a0 So if we can stop terrorism, we will do it, and we\u2019re putting a lot of energy, a lot of effort, and a lot of resources on the continent of Africa and elsewhere to stop these horrible acts that lead to the deaths of many civilians \u2013 innocent civilians, such as those who died in Westgate Mall.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
C<\/b>hange in policy by the government towards the African continent in general and in Ethiopia in particular on that issue<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Her words: \u201cThis is a U.S. Government policy.\u00a0 It is a U.S. Government\u2019s value that we believe in human rights for all people despite any laws that might exist that would deny people their human rights.\u00a0 We strongly believe in the rights of people to choose their partners, to choose the person \u2013 as President Obama has said, to choose the person they want to love, and not have laws that deny them those rights. So our Ambassador in Ethiopia is following the policies of the U.S. Government.\u00a0 It\u2019s a broad policy; it\u2019s not a change.\u00a0 It is a policy that reflects our values in \u2013 across the United States.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
Does the U.S. Government think African Union and ECOWAS leadership \u2013 leaders are doing enough to abate the spread of terrorism through various leadership virtues or defects of African leaders in the African continent?<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
She explained \u201cWe have a very strong partnership with the AU and with ECOWAS to deal with terrorism and other security incidents throughout the continent.\u00a0 The AU has been a strong partner in Somalia, in Mali, in other countries in Africa.\u00a0 ECOWAS has been amazingly supportive in Mali.\u00a0 ECOWAS was very much involved in the situation in Liberia.\u00a0 So we think that both of those organizations have been strong partners and have had a tremendous impact on providing a \u2013 security for Africa.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a lot more work to be done, but we continue to support their efforts through training and providing equipment and support so that African troops can be deployed throughout the continent.\u201d<\/p>\n
America has increased its military visibility in Africa, and this is leading to speculation that it intends to establish its U.S.-Africa Command Military Base whose current headquarters are in Stuttgart, Germany\u00a0 <\/b><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
Her answers: \u201cWe have always had a military presence in our embassies and we\u2019ve worked closely with African militaries across the continent.\u00a0 AFRICOM is in Stuttgart, and as far as I know AFRICOM will remain Stuttgart.\u00a0 There are no plans at this time that I\u2019m aware of that would move AFRICOM to the continent of Africa.<\/p>\n
That said, we will continue to develop our military-to-military relationships with African countries and continue to help build the capacity of African militaries to address security issues across the continent.\u00a0 We will continue to work on training African troops so that they can participate in peacekeeping operations, and all of this is being done by our military with AFRICOM\u2019s involvement.\u00a0 But as far as I know, they will continue to operate out of Stuttgart, Germany.\u201d<\/p>\n
United States doing to support a peaceful future in the Central African Republic<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Linda says \u201cWe\u2019re not absent.\u00a0 We have been very, very actively involved with the neighbors and with our partners to address the very worrisome situation in CAR.\u00a0 We are very concerned that the conflict there has turned this country into a place where terrorists might look to operate, and we want to work closely with the civilian government in CAR to ensure that the Seleka rebels are disarmed and that they are no longer terrorizing the population.\u00a0We have a special advisor who has been in the region, has been involved actively in the discussions, and we\u2019re working very, very closely with the AU to support efforts to build up an African force there.<\/p>\n
We participated in meetings in New York.\u00a0 I met with your Prime Minister in New York as we looked at ways that we can continue to be actively involved.\u00a0 But we are actively involved, and I want to make sure that that\u2019s understood.<\/p>\n
U.S. stance in combatting racism against African living \u2013 Africans living in the U.S<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Her position: \u201cI think we have strong laws in the United States that provides equal rights to all citizens, whether it\u2019s based \u2013 discrimination based on race, sexual orientation, region \u2013 I think it goes without saying that those laws are on the books.\u00a0 We are \u2013 and we address any complaints in our court system.\u00a0 So I don\u2019t think that there is an issue that the U.S. Government is not supportive of populations that are different.<\/p>\n
We are a country that is extraordinarily diverse, and we see diversity as strength.\u00a0 And we have seen many individuals who have come from Africa who are now American citizens who are contributing to the growth of our country but also contributing back to their countries of origin.\u00a0 And this is something that we support as a government, and it is something that we\u2019re proud of as a government.\u00a0 So if individuals are experiencing discrimination, there\u2019s a way to address that in our legal system.\u201d<\/p>\n
Will the Republic of Congo expect you to visit and meet President Denis Sassou Nguesso<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Her remarks \u201cI am sure that the Republic of Congo will expect me to visit, and I think all countries in Africa will expect me to visit, and I will do my best to do that.\u00a0 It might take some time:\u00a0 remember how many countries there are in Africa.\u00a0 But as the Assistant Secretary, I represent the President and the Secretary to every country in Africa.\u00a0 We have ambassadors that are there to represent our interests, and as the Assistant Secretary, I would like to, at least once, visit every single country in Africa.\u00a0 So if the Republic of Congo is expecting me to visit, I encourage them in their expectations.\u00a0 I can\u2019t say when it\u2019s going to happen, but I can say that I plan to make that trip.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
US-AFRICA BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP! \u00a0\u2018America\u2019s Foreign Policy Promotes Trade, Investment & Dev. in Africa\u2019–Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US Assistant for African Affairs *Says \u2018Power Africa, Trade Africa will Empower African People\u2019 *Explains: \u201cWe are working with Nigerian Govt to end Corruption\u201d *Why US sanctions top 3 leaders of Boko Haram * Her Words: \u201cEvery policy initiative that we […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1070,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[106],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-1061","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-politics"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1061","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1061"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1061\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1070"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1061"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1061"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1061"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
![\"linda](\"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/linda-thomas-greenfield.jpg\")
<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>LINDA <\/strong>Thomas-Greenfield, <\/strong>Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of African Affairs has made history in her career as she has been able to critically analyze and proffer solutions to variables of crises contending against progress, development and industrialization in the African continent in a rare \u2018Live at State with African Journalists around the World.\u2019<\/p>\n