PrintMarch 8, 2008
Rep. Donald Payne's Misguided Africa Policy
The current violence in Kenya and Chad brings renewed focus upon the serious challenges in Africa, and underscores how important it is that America act wisely and send consistent and appropriate messages. During a recent trip to Eritrea -- just as Kenya was beginning to erupt -- Rep. Donald Payne did neither.With the United States fighting a global war on terror, the notion that a Member of Congress would sit silently beside a terror-sponsoring dictator as he criticizes America is appalling. Yet that is reportedly what happened during Rep. Payne's January visit to Eritrea, a country without press or religious freedom that openly supports al-Qaeda linked jihadists.It is bad enough for any U.S. official to behave this way -- but far worse when you consider that Payne chairs the House Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, an influential leadership post that has an impact on U.S.-Africa relations.As a Somali-American I am deeply concerned about the message Rep. Payne's trip sends --...(Read Full Article)
