The Obama administration is making strides in formulating an Africa strategy. Based on a Presidential Policy Directive signed by the President on June 14, the White House Office of Public Engagement held a discussion on the subject on August 1.

“This is an important issue and I am pleased that we are going to have this discussion about sub-Saharan Africa policy,” said Michael Strautmanis, Deputy Assistant to the President and Counselor for Strategic Engagement to the Senior Advisor, Valerie Jarrett.

That discussion brought together top foreign policy brass at the White House and the State Department, including Grant Harris, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs, Johnnie Carson, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Florizelle B. Liser, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa, Earl Gast, Assistant Administrator for Africa and Ben Rhoads, Deputy national security adviser for strategic communications.

Watch the discussion here:

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