U.S. DEPARTMENT of  STATE   You are subscribed to Africa. Here is new content for this topic:   Fortifying Health Systems and Countering Infectious Disease Threats Through the America First Global Health Strategy in Burkina Faso 02/25/2026 12:09 PM EST Thomas "Tommy" Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson Fortifying Health Systems and Countering Infectious Disease Threats Through the America First Global Health Strategy in Burkina Faso Press Statement February 25, 2026 Today, the United States and Burkina Faso signed a five-year bilateral health cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that reinforces regional health security in the Sahel while advancing Burkina Faso's capacity to independently manage infectious disease threats before they reach our shores. This MOU reflects the Trump Administration's commitment to protecting American health security while building resilient, locally led health systems abroad, as outlined in the America First Global Health Strategy. Through this MOU, working with Congress, the Department of State intends to provide up to $147 million over the next five years to support Burkina Faso's efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other infectious diseases, while bolstering disease surveillance and outbreak response capabilities.  Burkina Faso commits to increasing its domestic health expenditures by $107 million, demonstrating significant national ownership of its health system.  The MOU allocates approximately $12 million to global health security initiatives that strengthen community health systems, improve and digitize data reporting, and build laboratory capacity to detect potential pathogens. This MOU strengthens the region's capacity to detect and respond to infectious disease threats before they spread regionally or reach the United States.  It integrates longstanding malaria and maternal-child health programs with enhanced community health systems, while emphasizing continued support for frontline community health workers who serve as the foundation of sustainable, locally led health services. By the end of the MOU period, Burkina Faso will integrate U.S.-funded frontline health care and laboratory workers into its national health workforce, building a resilient, country-owned health system that protects both Burkinabé and American populations from health security threats. America First Global Health Strategy Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) signed so far represent over $18.56 billion in new health funding including more than $11.33 billion in U.S. assistance alongside $7.23 billion in co-investment from recipient countries, building on decades of progress fighting HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases around the world.  As of February 25, the State Department has signed 17 bilateral global health MOUs with Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Uganda. Manage Subscriptions | Unsubscribe-All | Privacy Policy | Subscriber Help External links found in this content or on Department of State websites that go to non-Department websites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.  This email was sent to caterresearch9.news@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Department of State · 2201 C Street NW · Washington, DC 20520

U.S. DEPARTMENT of  STATE   You are subscribed to Africa. Here is new content for this topic:   Targeting Paramilitary Commanders Committing Atrocities in Sudan 02/19/2026 12:20 PM EST Thomas "Tommy" Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson Targeting Paramilitary Commanders Committing Atrocities in Sudan Press Statement February 19, 2026 Today, the United States is sanctioning Elfateh Abdullah Idris Adam, Gedo Hamdan Ahmed Mohamed, and Tijani Ibrahim Moussa Mohamed of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group whose members have committed genocide in Sudan. The RSF has perpetrated atrocities during the almost three-year conflict in Sudan. The RSF and allied militias engaged in a campaign of widespread killings, torture, and sexual violence in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, during the months-long siege and subsequent capture of the city in October 2025, targeting civilians based on their ethnicity and tribal identity. The RSF also prevented food and other humanitarian assistance from entering the city, leading to famine and disease. In addition, the Department of State is designating Elfateh Abdullah Idris Adam under Section 7031(c) for gross violations of human rights. Idris brazenly filmed his atrocities, including executing unarmed civilians in El Fasher. As a result, Idris and his immediate family members are ineligible for entry into the United States. The Trump Administration seeks a lasting peace in Sudan and an end to the world's worst humanitarian crisis. We call on the belligerents to accept the U.S.-brokered humanitarian truce without preconditions. Today's actions are being taken pursuant to the authorities under Executive Order (E.O.) 14098 and pursuant to Section 7031(c) of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026 (Div. F, P.L. 119-75). For more information on today's E.O 14098 action, please see the Department of the Treasury's press release. Manage Subscriptions | Unsubscribe-All | Privacy Policy | Subscriber Help External links found in this content or on Department of State websites that go to non-Department websites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.  This email was sent to caterresearch9.news@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Department of State · 2201 C Street NW · Washington, DC 20520

U.S. DEPARTMENT of  STATE   You are subscribed to Africa. Here is new content for this topic:   The Gambia National Day 02/18/2026 12:01 AM EST Marco Rubio, Secretary of State The Gambia National Day Press Statement February 18, 2026 On behalf of the United States, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to the citizens of The Gambia as you celebrate 61 years of independence. As you mark this important milestone, we reaffirm the strong and lasting relationship between our nations.  I look forward to deepening our collaboration by strengthening our bonds and advancing shared economic interests. The United States values The Gambia's unwavering partnership and engagement on international issues, reflecting our mutual dedication to fostering global peace and prosperity. I look forward to continuing our joint efforts and further enhancing the ties between our countries in the years to come. Manage Subscriptions | Unsubscribe-All | Privacy Policy | Subscriber Help External links found in this content or on Department of State websites that go to non-Department websites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.  This email was sent to caterresearch9.news@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Department of State · 2201 C Street NW · Washington, DC 20520

U.S. DEPARTMENT of  STATE   You are subscribed to Africa. Here is new content for this topic:   United States and Mauritius to Hold Bilateral Security Discussions 02/17/2026 04:34 PM EST Office of the Spokesperson United States and Mauritius to Hold Bilateral Security Discussions Media Note February 17, 2026 From February 23–25, the United States and Mauritius will hold discussions in Port Louis led by the Department of State's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, with participation from across the U.S. interagency. These discussions underscore the continued importance of the Chagos archipelago and the joint U.S.-UK base on Diego Garcia to our national security. The discussions will focus on bilateral security cooperation and effective implementation of security arrangements for the base to ensure its long-term, secure operation. The United States supports the decision of the United Kingdom to proceed with its agreement with Mauritius concerning the Chagos archipelago. The United States reiterates its desire to conclude a bilateral agreement with the United Kingdom to guarantee continued use of basing and other facilities in the Chagos archipelago to advance U.S. national security, as well as security and stability across the Indian Ocean. Manage Subscriptions | Unsubscribe-All | Privacy Policy | Subscriber Help External links found in this content or on Department of State websites that go to non-Department websites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.  This email was sent to caterresearch9.news@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Department of State · 2201 C Street NW · Washington, DC 20520

U.S. DEPARTMENT of  STATE   You are subscribed to Africa. Here is new content for this topic:   Secretary Rubio's Meeting with G7 Foreign Ministers 02/14/2026 04:48 PM EST Office of the Spokesperson Secretary Rubio's Meeting with G7 Foreign Ministers Readout February 14, 2026 The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott: Secretary of State Marco Rubio met today with G7 foreign ministers in Munich, Germany.  The leaders discussed pressing issues such as ongoing conflicts threatening peace and stability in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, as well as challenges to regional security in the Indo-Pacific and the Western Hemisphere.  The Secretary reiterated the United States' commitment to promoting stability in Venezuela and negotiating an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.  Secretary Rubio and his counterparts reaffirmed the importance of strengthening G7 cooperation to address global threats to international peace and security.  Manage Subscriptions | Unsubscribe-All | Privacy Policy | Subscriber Help External links found in this content or on Department of State websites that go to non-Department websites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.  This email was sent to caterresearch9.news@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Department of State · 2201 C Street NW · Washington, DC 20520