The US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs on Wednesday briefed journalists across the continent on the United States policies toward the Africa region.

Ambassador Johnnie Carson’s address, which was done via telephonic conference call, cut across a wide range of topics related to US engagements on the continent, including recent developments in Sudan and South Sudan, Guinea-Bissau, Mali and Nigeria.

In this regard, the US Embassy Banjul office like other embassies across the world, gathered journalists in the country to attend the conference call and gave them the opportunity to ask questions regarding US policies towards the continent.

The forum, which lasted for nearly one and half hour also availed him the opportunity to affirm the United States commitment to democracy, stabilisation, trade and economic development in Africa among a host of others.

In his opening address via the telephonic conference call, Carson used the opportunity to thank their partner countries in Africa and congratulated the countries in the region which recently underwent peaceful electoral process in their respective countries.

He explained that the US government’s engagement in the region is intended to support democratic governance, economic development as well as combating a range of trans-national issues with their African allies among a host of others.

Despite the progress made across Africa, he said that there is still a lot more to be done. He cited the democratic transfer of power in Senegal and the holding of peaceful constitutional process in Malawi that made it possible for a second female president in Africa to succeed the former president in that country.

Carson went further to cite the successful elections in countries like Nigeria last year, Ivory Coast, and Guinea Conakry just to name but a few noting that these are testimonies to progress made by the people of the region.

Commenting on the current tensions between Sudan and South Sudan, he said that the situation still remains a serious issue and called on the authorities of both countries to mediate amicably in a bid put an end to this standoff.

Ambassador Carson also stated that the United States fully supports Ecowas mediation efforts in trying to ensure the restoration of democratic rule in both Mali and Guinea Bissau. He affirmed that his government strongly condemned the recent coup in both countries and called on the authorities to return the country to constitutional rule.

He outlined his government’s commitment to support African countries in a number of development areas in their march towards ensuring a sustainable development as inline with their partner countries development goals.