[…] The leaders of the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on a framework for power-sharing talks in an effort to resolve the political crisis marked by violence and intimidation by government supporters against their political opposition after the country’s March 29 elections.

[…] Addressing delegates attending the event’s July 15 ministerial session, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs Clay Lowery told his audience investment flows to Africa have been increasing at an astonishing rate. “As a result of better macroeconomic policies, high commodity prices, and a renewed interest by investors seeking opportunity on the continent, private capital flows to the region.

[…] Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC are in a region known as the Greater Virunga Transboundary Landscape, where a number of wildlife sanctuaries share international borders. Of particular concern is Virunga National Park, most of which lies in the DRC. It is threatened by military conflicts between rebel militia groups and the Congolese army, illegal trade in charcoal that promotes clear cutting old-growth hardwood forests and encroachment by the human population.

[…] The United States trade representative, Ambassador Susan Schwab, and her counterparts from east and southern Africa signed two important trade and investment agreements that will further deepen and expand U.S. trade ties with those regions. One agreement marks the first trade, investment and development cooperative agreement (TIDCA) with the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).

[…] And we talked about Zimbabwe. I made my position abundantly clear that, one, we are disappointed with the veto of the U.N. Security Council resolution, for which both our nations worked in concert. Secondly, we deeply care about the plight of the citizens of Zimbabwe. And we hope there's a peaceful resolution soon.

[…] “Over the past 20 years or so, the frontier moniker, like a baton, has been passed from one emerging country to the next. Not long ago, I experienced China as a sleeping dragon,” and India as a country that was once “pinned down by its own rules and regulations. Look at them now!” Before being involved in Africa, Gibian managed a global Asia fund and was earlier employed by the U.S. investment banking firm Goldman-Sachs.

[…] “More and more African leaders and citizens are reflecting the dignity of high standards -- the respect and pride that comes with holding one’s self and one’s nation to the most ambitious goals of political, social and economic progress and meeting them by your own energy and your own efforts,” Rice said in opening remarks to African delegates meeting at the State Department July 15.

[…] Providing an African perspective at the July 15 ministerial session of the seventh annual African Growth and Opportunity Act Forum, Moroka said African countries have done much to attract investment under AGOA by implementing new democratic reforms, removing administrative and regulatory barriers, and increasing production capacity.

[…] Thank you. Well, thank you, Jendayi, for that wonderful introduction. And I also want to thank you for your extraordinary service in the Administration. Yes, in fact, this President has had a great focus on Africa. He has cared about the issues that affect Africans. He’s believed in partnership with Africans. He has believed in the potential of the continent and worked hard to help the continent realize it. But one of the reasons that he’s been so focused is that Jendayi is always there, making sure that he is focused.

[…] Expressing disappointment at the failure of the U.N. Security Council to adopt a resolution condemning and sanctioning Zimbabwe’s leaders, U.S. officials said they will continue to seek ways to pressure President Robert Mugabe’s government to end the violence against its political opposition and engage it in serious negotiations.