Kerry Promotes Human Rights During Africa Stop

VOA News

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, meets with Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, May 25, 2013.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry heads to Jordan Sunday for the World Economic Forum — the last stop on an Africa and Middle East tour that has focused on security and human rights.
Kerry spent Saturday in Ethiopia for a summit marking the 50th anniversary of the African Union. He also met with several regional leaders to express U.S. concerns over human rights and democracy.
The top U.S. diplomat urged Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure his forces respect the rights of civilians as they battle Boko Haram militants.
Kerry also told Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Ahmed Karti that Sudan and South Sudan are in a “very delicate place right now” as they look to normalize relations and overcome lingering disputes.
The secretary of state also met with Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, and warned him that he must make more economic and democratic reforms for U.S. aid to continue.
“One person’s atrocity does not excuse another’s. And revenge is not the motive. It’s good governance,” Kerry stressed. It’s ridding yourself of a terrorist organization so that you can establish a standard of law that people can respect. And that’s what needs to happen in Nigeria.”