I am pleased to chair this hearing for the ambassadorial nominees to Angola, Mauritania, Zambia, and Gabon, a post which also includes the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe. All four nominees have impressive records of accomplishment in the Foreign Service and I look forward to hearing their priorities for advancing U.S. interests and goals. If confirmed, the four nominees will serve at a particularly significant moment in which the United States seeks to strengthen its economic ties with Africa and as it engages even more deeply to combat regional challenges in security, development and health.
Our first nominee is Ambassador Helen La Lime for Angola. While it is one of the largest oil producers and diamond exporters on the continent and an important regional power, Angola faces extreme socioeconomic inequality, with an astonishingly low ranking on the UN Human Development Index. It continues to struggle with the lasting ramifications of a 27-year civil war; political and economic dominance by a small, wealthy elite; lack of political will and capacity to achieve transparency and accountability in governance; and a poor human rights record. The U.S.-Angola relationship is not an easy one, and I am particularly interested in how we can promote improved governance, respect for human rights, and diversified trade while also exploring ways to strengthen ties with Angola’s relatively capable military.
For this important post, the President has nominated Ambassador La Lime, who is no stranger to diplomacy and Angola. A career member of the Senior Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State with the rank of Minister Counselor, Ambassador La Lime most recently served as Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d’ Affaires in South Africa. She also has served as Consul General in Cape Town, U.S. Ambassador to Mozambique, Deputy Chief of Mission to Morocco, and Director of the Office of Central African Affairs.
Just north of Angola lies Gabon and the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe. Thanks to its rich natural resources and small population, Gabon has the fourth highest per-capita income in sub-Saharan Africa. However, a third of its population lives in poverty. While Ali Bongo, son of Gabon’s long-serving autocratic president Omar Bongo, has shown some reformist inclinations, political opposition has been suppressed and impunity for corruption continues. São Tomé and Príncipe are located off the coast in the Gulf of Guinea where maritime security cooperation has become a critically important issue that Senator Flake has championed with my strong support and partnership.
We are considering Cynthia Helen Akuetteh for both Gabon and the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe. Ms. Akuetteh, a career member of the Foreign Service, has wide-ranging experience in Africa and strong mentoring skills. She most recently served as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of African Affairs and has previously served as Director, Office of Europe, Middle East, and Africa in the Bureau of Energy Resources and as a Peace Corps staff member.
Next we consider Mauritania, located on the Western edge of the Sahel, where regional security threats include AQIM and splinter organizations active in neighboring Mali, Algeria and Niger. In addition to challenges relating to transnational security threats, Mauritania faces pressing socioeconomic challenges with an impoverished society that continues to recover from a devastating regional drought in 2011. While Mauritania is one of our leading counterterror partners in the Sahel, bilateral relations are complicated by Mauritania’s problematic record relating to democracy and human rights, including the persistence of slavery.
Larry André, the nominee for Mauritania, most recently served as Director of the Office of the Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan. Given the long history of development, governance and human rights problems in Mauritania, Mr. André’s recent experience with Sudan will be especially relevant. A two-time Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr. André will bring strong leadership, mentoring, and policy skills, as well as extensive regional knowledge, to this small isolated mission.
Last but certainly not least, we consider Eric Schultz to be Ambassador to Zambia. Home to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls, Zambia draws tourists not only because of its UNESCO World Heritage sites, but also for its peace and stability since independence. Like the other three countries we are considering today, Zambia faces challenges, including some backsliding on democracy, widespread poverty, corruption, and poor health conditions, largely due to the prevalence of HIV/AIDS.
Mr. Schultz is a three-time Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) with regional experience and an extensive background in economics, security issues, and democratization. At State, he has led interagency teams on coordinating extensive assistance programs. He has broad experience in key Zambian economic sectors, especially finance, agriculture, mining and energy.
I would like to welcome all of our nominees to today’s hearing and encourage you to take the time to introduce your families who are an essential part of your service in government. We are grateful for their sacrifices and ongoing support.