Bureau of African Affairs

The Bureau of African Affairs, headed by  Constance Berry Newman, advises the Secretary and guides the operation of the U.S. diplomatic establishment in the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa. Former Assistant Administrator for Africa of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Ms. Newman was sworn in on June 24, 2004.  She has extensive experience managing public and private organizations as well as international experience throughout the world. [more]

We hope you find this page interesting and informative.  For accredited news media requesting assistance relating to U.S. foreign policy toward Sub-Saharan Africa, please contact the Bureau of African Affairs' Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs at (202) 647-6609.  For Congressional inquiries, please contact the Bureau of African Affairs' Congressional Affairs Officer at (202) 647-6480.  

 Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Constance Newman's visit to Malawi and Mozambique
A/S Newman spoke to reporters at State House after signing a $200,000 Economic Support Fund grant to benefit Malawi's Anti-Corruption Bureau.  She congratulated President Mutharika on his efforts to stimulate economic growth and combat corruption.  Ms. Newman said Malawi had been chosen as a Millennium Challenge Account Threshold country largely because of Mutharika's initiatives: “It's just important to come and talk directly with officials and let them know how much we recognize what they are doing and offering our support so that they can be successful.”  President Mutharika said U.S. support was critical for Malawi to realize its development goals and thanked Assistant Secretary Newman for her visit.  A/S Newman also toured USAID projects in microfinance and HIV voluntary counseling and testing. 

Assistant Secretary Newman also travelled to Mozambique. During her short stay there, she had an informal meeting with journalists during which she spoke about wide-ranging issues including continued good relations between Mozambique and the U.S., the Millennium Challenge Account, and debt relief.  The Assistant Secretary's visit generated positive press coverage, which highlighted U.S. assistance and development plans in Mozambique.

--  Office of Public Affairs (AF/PA)