The United States strongly condemns today’s ISIS-claimed attack on the Libyan High National Elections Commission in Tripoli. We offer condolences to the families of the victims and wish a quick recovery for those injured. We stand with all Libyans in the fight against terrorism and remain committed to working with the Government of National Accord to deny ISIS any safe haven in their country. This terrorist attack against a key pillar of Libya’s fragile democracy only deepens the United States’ commitment to support all Libyans as they prepare for credible and secure elections.

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

Delegations from the United States and Honduras held the sixth meeting of the Bilateral Human Rights Working Group on April 30, in Tegucigalpa. This latest session of the Working Group brought together high-level U.S. and Honduran government officials to collaborate on improving the human rights situation in Honduras.

The Working Group addressed five themes: strengthening governmental human rights institutions; working with international human rights partners and civil society; citizen security; combating corruption and impunity; and migration issues. The U.S. delegation also met with a diverse group of local civil society organizations to discuss their views.

The U.S. delegation was led by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs John Creamer; USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean Barbara Feinstein; and Director of Western Hemisphere Affairs for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Jon Piechowski.

The Honduran delegation was led by the Minister of the Presidency Ebal Díaz; the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation María Dolores Aguero; the Minister of Security Julián Pacheco; the Minister of Human Rights Karla Cueva; the Minister of Defense Fredy Díaz; and in representation of the Judicial Branch, the President of the Supreme Court Rolando Argueta.

For further information, please contact WHA Press at WHAPress@state.gov.

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

The following is attributable to Spokesperson Heather Nauert:

Deputy Secretary John Sullivan met with Nigerian Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama on April 30, as part of the official working visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Washington, DC.

The Deputy Secretary recognized Nigeria’s leadership on our shared priorities of improving security, creating economic opportunity, and advancing democracy and stability across Africa. He offered continued support to the Nigerian government and civil society as they work to prevent and mitigate conflict. The Deputy Secretary and Foreign Minister Onyeama also discussed opportunities to enhance bilateral trade and investment.

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

The United States, the Global Coalition, and local partners, including the Syrian Democratic Forces, are launching operations to liberate the final ISIS strongholds in Syria. The fighting will be difficult, but we and our partners will prevail. We will defend United States, Coalition, and partner forces if attacked. The days of ISIS controlling territory and terrorizing the people of Syria are coming to an end.

We will work with our NATO ally Turkey and our partners Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon to secure their borders from ISIS. We will seek further fair share contributions in forces, material, and resources from regional partners and allies to stabilize liberated territories. As the President said in remarks with President Emmanuel Macron of France, we will ensure that there is a strong and lasting footprint in Syria such that ISIS cannot return and populations liberated from ISIS are not exploited by the Assad regime or its Iranian supporters.

We will reinvigorate the Geneva process under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254, and mobilize international resources to address Syria’s urgent humanitarian and stabilization needs. The United States is committed to ensuring a future political settlement that honors the will of all Syrians, including Sunni Arabs, Kurds, Christians, Turkmen, and other minorities.

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

The United States is concerned with the May 17, referendum aimed at amending the constitution of Burundi through a non-transparent process. We are especially concerned that the amendments to the constitution will be interpreted as resetting presidential term limits and run counter to the Arusha Agreement. Such efforts by incumbents to enact constitutional changes to remain in power beyond term limits weaken democratic institutions.

We denounce the numerous instances of violence, intimidation, and harassment committed against perceived opponents of the referendum. We call on the government to respect Burundi’s international legal obligations regarding the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. Free and fair participation in the process is an essential component of a credible referendum.

The United States recognizes the formidable challenges that the Burundian people have faced throughout their history, and we remain committed to continuing our partnership with Burundi in support of the country’s sustainable peace and development.

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.