Johnnie Carson to step down as US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs

By Jambonewspot.com News Desk

Ambassador Johnnie Carson will be stepping down as US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs after 4 years.

Mr Carson took up the post on May 7, 2009. Prior to this he was the National Intelligence Officer for Africa at the NIC, after serving as the Senior Vice President of the National Defense University in Washington D.C. (2003-2006).

“It has been an honor to serve as the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs during these last 4 years.” he said in a tweet. “We have accomplished much and I know that Africa will remain a top priority for the U.S.”

About a couple of months ago, the ambassador caused a furore in Kenya when he issued a statement that seemed to contradict  President Barack Obama on the elections in Kenya.

Obama had earlier on sent a video message to Kenya saying that the US will respect the will of the people of Kenya in the just concluded presidential elections.

Days later, Mr Carson, made a statement saying that “elections have consequences” seemingly warning against the election of now president-elect Uhuru Kenyatta.

Jendayi Frazer a former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs  heading the Bureau of African Affairs criticized Carson for the statement saying that it directly contradicted the President of the United States and that it would undermine relationships between Kenya and the US. She accused Carson of meddling in Kenya’s internal affairs.

Frazer also served as US ambassador to South Africa under President George W. Bush.

Carson’s 37-year Foreign Service career includes ambassadorships to Kenya (1999-2003), Zimbabwe (1995-1997), and Uganda (1991-1994); and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of African Affairs (1997-1999). Earlier in his career he had assignments in Portugal (1982-1986), Botswana (1986-1990), Mozambique (1975-1978), and Nigeria (1969-1971). He has also served as desk officer in the Africa section at State’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research (1971-1974); Staff Officer for the Secretary of State (1978-1979), and Staff Director for the Africa Subcommittee of the US House of Representatives (1979-1982).