African Nations
Targeted in the FY 2006 Foreign Ops

Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria are all key U.S. allies in Africa and have demonstrated their support for the U.S. through a variety of cooperative measures. Nonetheless, under the FY 2006 Foreign Aid spending bill, these countries would lose $14.3 million in ESF aid.

South Africa stands to lose $1.3 million in FY 2006 ESF aid, despite making exceptional progress in economic growth as well as the promotion of human rights, and having a judge on the ICC.

• It is a country that the U.S. State Department commends as “a cornerstone of regional stability and the essential foundation of growth in southern Africa.”

Nigeria’s President signed a BIA with the U.S. in 2003. Since then, however, the Nigerian Senate has rescinded the agreement, and the status of the BIA remains unclear at best. As a result, Nigeria could lose $5 million in FY 2006 ESF aid, despite being the dominant economic and political power in West Africa. Furthermore, Nigeria is the fifth largest source of U.S. oil imports, and currently chairs the African Union.

Nigeria’s ESF aid, as the U.S. State Department notes, is intended for “efforts to increase security and stability in the vulnerable oil-producing Niger Delta region, strengthen Nigeria’s governmental and nongovernmental institutions, engage with an increasingly disaffected Muslim population, and promote credible elections.”

• The State Department describes Nigeria as “a staunch supporter of the global war on terrorism and [an] indispensable partner in addressing the crises in Darfur, Liberia and Zimbabwe.”

Kenya stands to lose $8 million in FY 2006 ESF aid. These funds would go toward crucial programs to promote the country’s economy, infrastructure, development projects and political stability.

• The State Department strongly praises Kenya, stating that “Kenya is the linchpin of East African stability and security. Kenyan support for the war on terrorism has been solid and wholehearted…Kenya remains a principle point of access for U.S. military and relief operations within the region. A vital partner in the global war on terrorism, Kenya also demonstrates regional leadership in peacekeeping and diplomacy.”

November 17, 2005

background information

ECONOMIC SUPPORT FUNDS promote America’s foreign policy interests by providing assistance to key U.S. allies and countries in democratic transition. The fund assists Middle East peace negotiations and finances economic stabilization programs, often in a multi-donor context.
+ ECONOMIC SUPPORT FUND

BILATERAL IMMUNITY AGREEMENTS otherwise referred to as Article 98 agreements, prohibit states that are party to the International Criminal Court (ICC) from sending any U.S. personnel to the Court. Since the summer of 2002, the Bush Administration has sought to conclude bilateral immunity agreements with every country in the world.
+ SUMMARY OF BILATERAL IMMUNITY AGREEMENTS
+ TEXT OF A BIA (PDF)

the INTERNATIONAL criminal COURT is the only permanent international court capable of trying individuals accused of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity when there is no other recourse for justice.
+ BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE ICC
+ CURRENT ICC CASES

+ MORE ICC RESOURCES