By KEVIN J. KELLEYMore by this AuthorPresident Donald Trump’s designated replacement for Secretary of State Rex Tillerson could well take US policy on Africa “further backwards,” a former ambassador to Kenya is warning. “The appointment of CIA Director Michael Pompeo to replace former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will not lead to an uptick in interest or engagement,” ex-envoy Johnnie Carson predicts. Mr Tillerson, the former head of the ExxonMobil oil conglomerate, “was probably the only cabinet official with any interest or prior experience in Africa,” observes Mr Carson, who also served as the State Department’s top Africa official during President Barack Obama’s first term. TILLERSONPresident Trump recalled Mr Tillerson to Washington during his first visit to Africa earlier this month and sacked him two days later. “His departure underscores the senior level policy void,” Mr Carson says, noting that key State Department slots remain empty or are occupied by placeholders.

Source: Daily Nation March 20, 2018 15:22 UTC