Visit to Sudanese Border Caps Week-Long Booker CODEL to Nigeria, Ghana, and Chad

Press Release

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

“As Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, I have been focused on strengthening bilateral relationships on the African continent. My recent trips to East and West Africa were incredible opportunities to engage with African partners on a shared vision for the future, which includes boosting trade and economic investment, strengthening democratic institutions, promoting human rights, and cooperating on global challenges like climate change and food insecurity.

I ended my most recent trip by visiting the Chad-Sudan border, where I saw with my own eyes the horrifying impacts of the ongoing conflict in Sudan and the urgent need to step up our support to humanitarian organizations, like UNHCR, working to address severe malnutrition and violence against vulnerable populations. I reiterate my plea for an immediate cessation of hostilities by the RSF, SAF, and all other parties to the conflict.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Strengthening America’s economic partnerships with Tanzania and Kenya through initiatives like AGOA promote prosperity, strengthen institutions, and promote stability in the region. It was inspiring to see first-hand U.S. assistance programs that work towards fostering a new generation of leaders committed to giving back to their communities.

PEPFAR's impact in Tanzania and Kenya cannot be overstated. Through strategic partnerships between U.S. departments and agencies, like the CDC, and national governments’ ministries of health, PEPFAR has transformed healthcare systems across the region, saving millions of lives and curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS as well as other infectious diseases impacting the continent. Investing in global health also protects America's interests by preventing the spread of diseases worldwide and potentially stopping the next pandemic.

Throughout each trip, I reaffirmed the value the United States places on U.S.-Africa relations. It is absolutely imperative the Senate takes decisive action to safeguard vital programs like PEPFAR and AGOA, which are driving transformative change in the region. The protection of these programs is essential for saving lives, fostering regional development, and advancing our broader U.S. foreign policy objectives. The United States must ensure our commitment to continue delivering essential aid, bolstering bilateral relations, and strategically investing across the continent.”

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source