Bureau of African Affairs

In Washington, @UnderSecStateP and SBO Checker met with Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Ablakwa @S_OkudzetoAblak to underscore and build on our strong bilateral partnership.

This week, the United States hosted representatives from the DRC and Rwanda to further implementation of the Washington Peace Agreement under the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity. The parties agreed to a series of coordinated steps to advance progress on the ground, including a mutual commitment to specific measures to support each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the scheduled disengagement of forces/lifting of defensive measures by Rwanda in defined areas in DRC territory, time-bound and intensified efforts by the DRC to neutralize the FDLR, and the protection of all civilians.

Ghanaian national Derrick “Van” Yeboah pleaded guilty in a U.S. court to stealing more than $10 million from U.S. victims through romance scams and business email compromise schemes. Extradited to the United States in August 2025, he was part of a Ghana-based criminal organization that collectively defrauded victims of more than $100 million. The United States is working closely with the Government of Ghana and other international partners to investigate and prosecute cyber and transnational criminals perpetrating crimes against Americans. @TheJusticeDept #CrimeDoesntPay Read more here: justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/g…

Senior Bureau Official Nick Checker met with Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine to discuss opportunities to expand security cooperation and strengthen trade and investment ties between the United States and Niger. The United States remains committed to partnerships that support growth and stability in Niger and across the Sahel. #USinNiger ———— Le Haut Responsable du Bureau des Affaires africaines du Département d’État, Nick Checker, est arrivé aujourd’hui à Niamey pour rencontrer des Hauts responsables du gouvernement afin de renforcer la coopération entre les États-Unis et le Niger en matière de sécurité et de renforcer les liens commerciaux et d’investissement entre les États-Unis et le Niger. Les États-Unis demeurent engagés en faveur de partenariats qui soutiennent la croissance et la stabilité au Niger et dans l’ensemble du Sahel. ne.usembassy.gov/u-s-state-depa…

Senior Bureau Official Nick Checker is traveling to Niamey to meet with Nigerien officials. He looks forward to reaffirming the United States’ respect for the sovereignty of Niger, and to discussing next steps for enhancing cooperation and consultation on shared security and economic interests.

Senior Bureau Official Nick Checker met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré in Ouagadougou to reaffirm the United States’ respect for Burkina Faso’s sovereignty and to advance shared priorities. Both sides agreed to deepen dialogue, identify practical actions, and support more dynamic commercial ties that benefit both our peoples. 🇺🇸🤝🇧🇫

The drone strike in Goma today killed a UN worker and at least two civilians, adding to the tragic loss of life that continues to impact countless civilians in eastern DRC.  We offer our sincerest condolences to their families and colleagues and urge all parties to uphold protection of UN and humanitarian personnel. Attacks in civilian areas are unacceptable. The United States expects all parties to the conflict to uphold their commitments.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Sarah Troutman met a delegation led by Philippe Tonangoye, Minister of Energy, and Clotaire Kondja, Minister of Oil and Gas, to expand U.S.-Gabon commercial partnerships in critical minerals, energy, digital economy, and infrastructure sectors.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has trained and supported fighters tied to the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood’s al-Baraa Bin Malik Brigade (BBMB) — a group responsible for horrific abuses against civilians. Yesterday, we announced our designation of the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist as we previously sanctioned the BBMB. These are important steps in holding perpetrators accountable for unrestrained violence, including reported summary executions targeting civilians based on race or ethnicity. Together these actions underscore that the United States remains committed to disrupting the Iranian regime’s efforts to perpetuate bloodshed across the Middle East and beyond.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Sarah Troutman and Bureau leadership welcomed @LifezoneMetals, @KoBold_Metals, and Burundian officials to the State Department today for a signing ceremony as they forge mutually beneficial partnerships to advance U.S.-Burundi commercial ties and strengthen critical mineral supply chains. We commend Burundi’s vision and the private sector’s commitment to building a more prosperous future for the region.

Senior Bureau Official Nick Checker is traveling to Ouagadougou to meet with Burkinabѐ officials. He looks forward to reaffirming the United States’ respect for the sovereignty of Burkina Faso, and to discussing next steps for enhancing cooperation and consultation on shared security and economic interests.

.@NYTimes is out to lunch. @POTUS is right to draw attention to government-sponsored race-based discrimination in South Africa. @CyrilRamaphosa and the ANC double down on a racial patronage system that only enriches connected elites while ordinary South Africans struggle and crime and unemployment rank among the world’s worst. These same leaders fail to condemn racial incitement against Afrikaners and offer condolences to the brutal Iranian terrorist regime. Constructively addressing these issues is necessary to reset U.S.-South Africa relations.

The Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood, trained and supported by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has been designated by @StateDept as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and Specially Designated Global Terrorist for mass executions of civilians. We will continue to use all available tools to deprive the Iranian regime and Muslim Brotherhood chapters of the resources they need to engage in or support terrorism.

Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump, in designating the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and Specially Designated Global Terrorist, the United States continues using all available tools to counter terrorism, counteract the malign influence of Iran, and hold accountable those who have perpetrated crimes against civilians in Sudan. The Sudanese people have suffered immensely as a result of the ongoing conflict, including from actions of malign actors and from the atrocities committed by both sides in the Sudanese conflict. It’s time for the parties to immediately accept the humanitarian truce to enable lifesaving aid to reach civilians and create space for dialogue.

Since February 28, nearly 24,000 American citizens have safely returned to the United States from the Middle East. These figures do not include the many Americans who have safely relocated to other countries or those who have departed the Middle East but are still in transit back to the United States. The Department continues to proactively call American citizens to offer charter flight or ground transport travel assistance. Several flights have safely returned hundreds of Americans to the United States with additional flights scheduled to take place over the coming days, as security conditions allow. Commercial flight availability across the region continues to improve with commercial options available in most of the region. American citizens in Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Israel in need of travel assistance should complete the Crisis Intake Form. By completing this form, American citizens in those countries will directly receive information about upcoming charter aviation and ground transportation options. Through the State Department’s 24/7 Task Force, we have directly assisted nearly 13,000 Americans abroad, offering security guidance and travel assistance. The State Department will continue to actively assist any American citizen who wishes to depart the Middle East, to do so. Americans in the Middle East who need assistance can call the U.S. Department of State, 24/7, at +1-202-501-4444.

The United States will impose visa restrictions on several senior Rwandan officials for fueling instability in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. We expect all parties to uphold the Washington Accords and those who do not will face consequences.

American Citizens in UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Kuwait, and Bahrain: To receive departure assistance information from the Department of State about available aviation and ground transportation options, please fill out the following form: mytravel.state.gov/s/crisis-intake

The @StateDept task force has helped 7,300 Americans with travel guidance and departure options. Charter flights are underway. The bottom line is this: We won’t rest until every American who wants to leave the region is home. We’re working around the clock to make it happen.

This morning, Secretary Rubio visited the State Department Operations Center to brief the 24/7 Task Force that is actively assisting Americans who wish to depart the Middle East to do so quickly and safely. For assistance, call +1-202-501-4444