Washington, DC — An American career diplomat, named by AllAfrica recently as the new administration's most likely pick as its top Africa official, has been nominated as U.S. Assistant Secretary for African Affairs. The White House announced the nomination of Ambassador Johnnie Carson Friday. The full text of the White House announcement:
President Barack Obama today announced his intent to nominate Ambassador Johnnie Carson, Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, State Department.
Ambassador Johnnie Carson is currently the National Intelligence Officer for Africa on the National Intelligence Council. He joined the NIC in September 2006 after a 37-year career in the Foreign Service. Prior to this appointment, Carson served as the Senior Vice President of the National Defense University in Washington D.C. (2003-2006).
Carson's Foreign Service career includes ambassadorships to Kenya (1999-2003), Zimbabwe (1995-1997), and Uganda (1991-1994); and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of African Affairs (1997-1999). Earlier in his career he had assignments in Portugal, Botswana, Mozambique, and Nigeria. He has also served as desk officer in the Africa section at State's Bureau of Intelligence and Research; Staff Officer for the Secretary of State (1978-1979), and Staff Director for the Africa Subcommittee of the US House of Representatives (1979-1982).
Before joining the Foreign Service, Ambassador Carson was a Peace Corps volunteer in Tanzania. He has a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Drake University and a Master of Arts in International Relations from the School of Oriental and Africa Studies at the University of London.
Ambassador Carson is the recipient of several Superior Honor Awards from the Department of State and a Meritorious Service Award from Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. The Centers for Disease Control presented Ambassador Carson its highest award, "Champion of Prevention Award," for his leadership in directing the US Government's HIV/AIDS prevention efforts in Kenya.
Comments Post a comment
A spook to oversee Afrian affairs?
We suppose that the more things change, the more they stay the same, a French bon mot, perhaps.
Counter-spooks then is exactly what the African doctor ordered.
This fellow can,t be the only/ right man for this job if past precedents have to be observed. The change of US policies towards Africa is a different pie from what,s being served at the moment by the US govt.Like has already been stated in past, only Africans have the wherewithal and understanding on the ground sustaining and absorbing the issues at hand. It seems like (Africa,s abadonment) is going to continue ,though, the world is wiser for it. We Africans must and have to take total responsibility for affairs concerning us,our heritage,history,government,security,trade, education,infrastructure,peace and prosperity, freedom for all, it,s attainable if we are ready to take our destiny in our own hands.Massive enlightenment campaign will succeed in opening up the avenues through which a mass of the population have access to the truth about Africa and where it,s coming from, a move capable of awakening the people to their rights and seeking of ways to attain them. Africa never died and it,s not going to now.
Africans will never receive fair treatment. Why an intelligence officer for African affairs. Damn you Africans why do you deserve secret operatives who are used to perform better in the dark. Surely we need to shade off this DARK continent shackles. Unite as Africans and speak with one voice. Do we know that united we are a third force in the world affairs and we can say no we dont accept this we accept that.
To my tow brothers or sisters who commented before me; I must say that your voices do count. We "Africans" MUST remember that inother for you to catch a thief, a trap must be set. Yes, this individual appointed to a high level position for Africa has being served in several areas in the United States of America that have being doing so many wrongs to Africa and Africans as a whole. Therefore, such person is needed. Why? Those are the type when push comes to push, they will tell even the worst dark secret that have being committed against AFrica and its people for centuries. Therefore, what we they intelligent Africans should do is to squeeze the juice out of him so that he can confess ALL the bad behaviours that some of United States of American so call top ellites have sins and committed against Africa. He might be the perfect man for Africa, but he needs to be watch carefully. Why? Because words and actions are quite two different phrase. So, its out of the intelligent Africans to squeeze the truth from him just as what they have done to the rescent Pope visit to Africa. My brothers and sisters, they truth shall reveal someday.
your brother in Christ and Allah