By Innocent Odoh United States Secretary of State John Kerry will visit Nigeria next week to hold talks with President Muhammadu Buhari on issues concerning counterterrorism, the Nigerian economy, the fight against corruption and human rights.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Public Affairs Division of the United States Embassy in Abuja, adding that the Secretary will visit Sokoto and Abuja on August 23 and 24 respectively.
In Sokoto, he will deliver a speech on the importance of resilient communities and religious tolerance in countering violent extremism. In Abuja, the Secretary will meet with a group of adolescent girls working to change community perceptions that devalue the role of girls in society. He will also meet with northern governors and religious leaders.
Kerry is also scheduled to visit Nairobi, Kenya, on August 22 to meet with President Kenyatta to discuss regional security issues and counterterrorism cooperation, as well as bilateral issues. Secretary Kerry will also meet with Kenyan Foreign Minister Amina Mohamed and other regional foreign ministers to discuss key challenges in East Africa, including the prospects for resumption of a political process in South Sudan and support to Somalia’s political transition and ongoing fight against al-Shabaab.
He will have the opportunity to meet with participants of the Young African Leaders Initiative and the Mandela Washington Fellows programs.
On August 24-25, Secretary Kerry will travel to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for a series of meetings with senior Saudi leaders, his counterparts from the Gulf Cooperation Council, the United Kingdom, and the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen. His discussion will focus on the ongoing conflict in Yemen and efforts to restore peace and stability. Additionally, the leaders will discuss the region’s most pressing challenges, including Syria and our global effort to counter Da’esh and violent extremism, the statement added.
