I am pleased to chair this nomination hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for Linda Thomas-Greenfield to be Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Affairs, James Entwistle to be Ambassador to Nigeria, Patricia Haslach to be Ambassador to Ethiopia, Reuben Brigety, to be the U.S. Representative to the African Union, with the rank of Ambassador, Stephanie Sanders Sullivan to be Ambassador to the Republic of Congo, and Patrick Gaspard to be Ambassador to South Africa. I welcome each of the nominees and their family members who are here to support them through this somewhat daunting confirmation process. I also welcome my colleague and Africa sub-committee ranking member Senator Flake.
Today we are considering nominees for five diplomatic assignments, each with its own unique characteristics. At the same time, each nominee will grapple with many common, cross-cutting challenges and opportunities that face the United States in Africa, including vast economic potential, weak democratic institutions, poverty, and terrorism. The choices made by African leaders, the U.S. government, and international partners in the coming years will help to chart not only the future course of many African countries, but the role and influence of the United States in Africa.
In spite of, and in many ways because of, the complex and very real challenges present across Africa, I believe we must deepen U.S. engagement with the leaders and people of African nations. President Obama’s trip to Africa was a positive, albeit long overdue, demonstration of U.S. commitment to Africa. The President’s initiatives on trade, energy, young African leaders, and wildlife trafficking have the potential to deliver significant benefits for both Africans and Americans. Our relationships must, however, extend well beyond the feel-good moment of a Presidential trip. The United States must demonstrate sustained, multi-faceted commitment and attention to Africa.
The nominees before us today bring a wealth of foreign policy and public service experience and have served in some of the most challenging diplomatic posts around the world. I am interested in hearing their views on how they can help build strong, enduring partnerships in Africa in support of democracy, security, and prosperity.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield has served as a Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of African Affairs and as Ambassador to Liberia during an exciting time of transition. Importantly, she has shown a strong commitment to supporting the professional development of the people of the State Department, its most valuable asset.
Ambassador James Entwistle, who I had the pleasure of meeting when I traveled to the Congo earlier this year, is an able and experienced diplomat who would bring lessons learned from places as diverse as Thailand, Kenya, and the Congo to the critically important but difficult task of managing our relations with Nigeria.
Patricia Haslach has worked to promote development, stability and democracy around the world, including in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Nigeria. Her experience with the Feed the Future Program and her commitment to women’s empowerment would make important contributions to U.S. diplomacy in Ethiopia.
Reuben Brigety has devoted his career to public service. His unique blend of experience in the military, academia, civil society, USAID, and the State Department would be a valuable asset at our mission to the African Union.
Stephanie Sullivan has shown a long commitment to Africa, from her time as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Democratic Republic of Congo to several Foreign Service assignments in the Africa Bureau. She would also bring strong managerial skills and experience to Brazzaville.
Patrick Gaspard knows the rough and tumble world of labor relations, community organizing, school reform, and politics. These are all issues critical to understanding South Africa, where he also had the honor of meeting Nelson Mandela in 1992 while serving in Mayor Dinkins’ office.
I look forward to hearing from each of the nominees and will now turn it over to Senator Flake.
Opening Statement of Senator Chris Coons: Foreign Relations Committee hearing on nominations