WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, January 28, 2016/APO (African Press Organization)/ —
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Gayle Smith will lead the U.S. delegation to the 26th Annual African Union Summit. Joining the delegation will be Department of State Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Tom Malinowski, National Security Council Senior Director for Africa Cathy Byrne, USAID Assistant Administrator for Africa Linda Etim, U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan Don Booth, and Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region of Africa Tom Perriello.
The AU Summit brings together senior government officials, representatives from regional economic communities, civil society organizations, the private sector, members of the diaspora, international media and invited dignitaries. Discussions will also focus on regional peace and security priorities, including the situation in Burundi, the need for implementation of the peace agreement in South Sudan, and developing innovative financing mechanisms in support of AU peacekeeping initiatives.
Following the AU Summit, Administrator Smith will visit sites in Ethiopia where the U.S. government is working with local and international partners to respond to the drought and build resilience to extreme weather events like El Nino.
