U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will on Tuesday begin an 11-day tour of six African countries, a statement said.

Clinton is billed to visit :Senegal, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi and South Africa during the trip lasting between July 31 and Aug. 10, the State Department said in a statement on Monday.

It said that during the trip, the secretary would emphasise U.S. policy commitments as outlined in the Presidential Policy Directive.

According to the statement, the policy is to strengthen democratic institutions, spur economic growth, advance peace and security as well as promote opportunity and development for all citizens

It said that Clinton's first port of call would be Senegal, where she would meet President Macky Sall and other national leaders and deliver a speech applauding the resilience of Senegal's democratic institutions and highlighting America's approach to partnership.

The statement said that after Senegal she would move to South Sudan where she would meet with President Salva Kiir to reaffirm U.S. support and to encourage progress in negotiations with Sudan to reach agreement on issues related to security, oil and citizenship.

It also said that in Uganda, the secretary would meet with President Yoweri Museveni to encourage strengthening of democratic institutions and human rights.

The State Department said that in Uganda, Clinton would reinforce Uganda as a key U.S. partner in promoting regional security, particularly with regard to Somalia and in regional efforts to counter the Lord's Resistance Army.

" She will also highlight U.S. support in the fight against HIV/AIDS," the statement said.

It said that Clinton would then travel to Kenya to meet President Mwai Kibaki, Prime Minister Rahila Odinga, and other government officials to emphasise support for transparent, credible, non-violent national elections in 2013.

"To underscore U.S. support for completing the political transition in Somalia by Aug. 20, Secretary Clinton will also meet with President Sheikh Sharif and other signatories to the Roadmap to End the Transition.

"The secretary continues her trip in Malawi, visiting President Joyce Banda to discuss economic and political governance and reform," it stated.

According to the statement, in South Africa, Clinton will pay her respects to ex-President Nelson Mandela.

It added that she would also participate in the U.S. -South Africa Strategic Dialogue focusing on the partnership between both countries in addressing issues of mutual concern and their shared challenges on the African and world stages.

The statement noted that during the visit Clinton would be accompanied by a U.S. business delegation.

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