The US Secretary of State John Kerry will travel next week to Kenya, Nigeria, and Saudi Arabia on a three-nation tour to focus on security issues in Africa and the Middle East, according to the State Department spokespeople on Thursday.
The US Secretary of State John Kerry will travel next week to Kenya, Nigeria, and Saudi Arabia on a three-nation tour to focus on security issues in Africa and the Middle East, according to the State Department spokespeople on Thursday.
The US State Department spokesman John Kirby said the visit to Kenya would focus on South Sudan's peace process and Somalia's political transition.
According to the US embassy in Abuja, Mr. Kerry will meet President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss counter-terrorism efforts and cooperation in the fight against Boko Haram militants as well as the Nigerian economy and human rights issues.
Mr. Kerry’s focus while in Saudi Arabia will be to meet senior Saudi leaders, as well as counterparts from Gulf Arab states, to discuss the conflict in Yemen.
The embassy also stated that “In Sokoto, he will deliver a speech on the importance of resilient communities and religious tolerance in countering violent extremism.
“In Abuja, the Secretary will meet with a group of adolescent girls working to change community perceptions that devalue the role of girls in society.
“He will also meet with northern governors and religious leaders,” the statement also said.
Mr. Kerry will arrive in Nairobi on Monday for talks with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on “regional security issues and counter-terrorism cooperation, as well as bilateral issues,” Mr. Kirby said.
The statement said that key issues in East Africa included the instability in South Sudan and support to Somalia’s political transition as well as the ongoing fight against al-Shabaab.
Mr. Kerry will also be traveling to Jeddah to meet with senior Saudi leaders, as well as stakeholders from the Gulf states. There would also be a focus on the conflict in Yemen as well as Syria.
