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Dear Board of Directors,

Yesterday I sent out a GLOBAL GAB with a lot of tidbits, but I wanted to share some brief stories on how the team is shaping the debate behind the scenes. You won’t see our fingerprints on these in the news, but we’re making an impact and moving the needle.

1. Tillerson’s Africa Trip. We had two goals – get him to a site-visit and drive the press narrative around his trip.

* It was not easy, but at last the Secretary was scheduled today in Kenya to see a PEPFAR/USAID program that our board colleague David Weiss of Global Communities helps run. Unfortunately, the news just reported that Tillerson is sick and cancelled his schedule for the day.

* As for the press, Sidney and the team were brilliant – they sent two emails (attached) to all of the reporters covering the trip with factoids about Africa.

* We had two key messages:
* Underscore the tension between the visit and the Administration’s devastating 37% cut for Africa in their latest budget proposal.
* Push a positive narrative on U.S. foreign assistance, the rising competition from China, and the personnel challenges in Africa.

* Reporters were thrilled for “making their jobs easier” and so far, we’ve seen our message show up in the NY Times, ABC News, Reuters, AFP, and even a piece by the Bloomberg Editorial Board.

* See down below for an impressive snapshot of the coverage.

2. Ambassador Haley. As I’ve shared, we’ve been increasingly concerned to hear Ambassador Haley (and the president) promote a policy of conditioning aid solely based upon UN votes.

* As you may recall, in the State of the Union, the president said that “foreign assistance has to be in America’s interest.” We had learned that Nikki Haley wanted this line to be much stronger, perhaps even talking about cutting off aid to those that don’t vote with us at the UN. Since then, we’ve had an important behind the scenes effort – both direct and indirect – urging her to dial back the rhetoric on foreign assistance.

* Our efforts focused on encouraging her to recognize that a UN vote is one of the factors – not the only factor – for our foreign aid decisions, and that she also talks positively about how foreign assistance advances U.S. interests.

* At the AIPAC Policy Conference on Monday night, we were pleased to hear some language similar to what we provided: “UN votes should never be the only factor in our foreign aid decisions. We have many interests that go beyond the UN, but they should be one of the factors. And we are determined to start making that connection.” A small victory.

* But now she is working on an op-ed on this same theme – and from what I have heard, it’s not great. We have provided input and hoping that we can shape her voice on the final version.

3. Development Finance. Trust you saw my update on development finance in the GLOBAL GAB yesterday, but wanted to share some more details on what’s happening behind the scenes.

* There were some last minute concerns on various authorities between USAID and the new agency – and while we don’t have or take a position on the final details – it is in our interest to get everyone on the same page. While I can’t provide all the details, we have and will continue to play a quiet role behind the scenes in helping the key leaders at OPIC, USAID, and on Capitol Hill engage to ensure that they find agreement.

* And to say that Ray Washburne – a key Trump ally – is an enthusiastic to partner with our coalition would be an understatement! Jason just hosted him in Dallas for a public event with 100 top leaders from our network there (see some of the press coverage here<https://www.dmagazine.com/business-economy/2018/02/ceo-ray-washburne-says-opic-is-open-for-business/>).

* The core message that we’re driving is that development finance is another tool in the development toolkit, not an alternative to or substitute for development assistance. And with Washburne as the rock star of our issue within the Administration, we are prodding him to use his voice to embrace the full development platform. This will take some work, but that’s the long-game. I have an op-ed coming out on this agenda very soon.

4. State Department Personnel. We have recognized a new challenge. We have clearly won when it comes to bipartisan support on the budget issues, but interestingly, the hollowing out of the State Department/USAID is a more difficult challenge to engage the GOP. So we have some work to do.

* Both Republicans and Democrats on the Hill have definitely switched on to the dangers – but the GOP is more willing to give Secretary wiggle room as they have attached personnel issues to his redesign rather than his budget cuts.

* Last week, the likely incoming SFRC Chair, Senator Risch told POLITICO “Things are not a whole lot different when there’s an ambassador there.” We have work to do!

* Our message to the Hill:
* Embrace Tillerson’s redesign efforts at this point, which are largely IT and HR related (e.g., combining 16 unique IT platforms into 1.)
* Oppose budget cuts + personnel cuts (they are one in the same). Here is our personnel fact sheet<http://www.usglc.org/media/2017/11/USGLC-Fact-Sheet-State-Department-Personnel-Nov-2017.pdf>.

* We need to give Republicans a way to praise Tillerson for his redesign effort, but show them that the diminishing of personnel is not a redesign issue, but a long-term national security issue, like the budget cuts.

5. Coming Up.

* Military Leaders on Capitol Hill. Next week we are hosting our first National Security Advisory Council Capitol Hill Day of the year with roughly 20 retired generals and admirals. We’re already confirmed with Senators Cotton, Ernst, and Johnson along with Reps. Mike Gallagher, Perry, and Ryan. More to come.


* Tillerson Testifies. And Tillerson should be on the Hill this week as well “explaining” his budget – and we’re getting some tough questions to our Hill friends.


* International Women’s Day Challenge! We’re making International Women’s Day a focus all month so join the fun and share a story of a woman who inspired you on social media. I posted a video on Twitter telling a story about women from the developing world – and I’m challenging all of you to do the same. Carrie Radelet has already posted her story. So post a personal video – and be sure to tag 3 friends so that the momentum continues!

Liz
Liz Schrayer, USGLC


Secretary Tillerson’s Africa Trip – Pick-Up from the USGLC Fact Sheets

NY Times: Seeking to Heal a Rift, Tillerson Pledges New Aid to Africa [link<https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/06/world/africa/tillerson-africa-new-aid.html>]

* In a speech before leaving Washington, Mr. Tillerson trumpeted American efforts to improve access to electricity across Africa and provide critical drugs for millions of people to treat H.I.V./AIDS. He did not mention, however, that the Trump administration has proposed slashing funding for both programs, along with other aid efforts seen as vital in Africa.

Bloomberg Editorial Board: Tillerson Faces a Tall Order in Africa [link<https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2018-03-07/rex-tillerson-s-africa-trip-is-a-test-of-u-s-credibility>]

* Tillerson highlighted the contributions of Power Africa, a USAID public-private initiative that is bringing electricity to millions; PEPFAR, which has reduced deaths and illnesses caused by HIV/AIDS; and the Young African Leaders Initiative, which has given African entrepreneurs and civic leaders the chance to study and train in the U.S. He didn't mention that the administration's proposed 37 percent cut<http://www.usglc.org/media/2018/02/USGLC-FY19-Budget-Analysis.pdf> in Africa programs would hurt all three.

Reuters: U.S. Secretary of State to focus on security on first African visit [link<https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-africa/u-s-secretary-of-state-to-focus-on-security-on-first-african-visit-idUSKCN1GJ0ND>]

* At the same time, key ambassadorships in South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo and other nations remain unfilled, along with the continent’s top diplomatic position, the assistant secretary of state for Africa.
* Trump has said he wants to cut the budgets for foreign aid and the State Department by a third.
* China surpassed the United States to become Africa’s largest trading partner in 2009.

ABC News: Tillerson fights negative perceptions, Chinese influence, terrorism in first trip to Africa [link<http://abcnews.go.com/News/tillerson-fights-negative-perceptions-chinese-influence-terrorism-trip/story?id=53551866>]

* "Working together will also be difficult because of the big proposed cuts to the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID. The administration's FY2019 budget proposal in February called for a 37% cut to programs in Africa, down $3.1 billion from current levels, according to the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, a bipartisan nonprofit that advocates for diplomacy."
* China became Africa's largest trading partner in 2009, and during the 2000's, China's export-import bank loaned Africa roughly $67 billion.
* That financial support has increased even more since then. In 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged $60 billion in loans and credit to Africa by 2020, and as part of its $1 trillion "One Belt, One Road" initiative, the country is also preparing to build roads, bridges, ports, and railways throughout Africa and elsewhere.
* Meanwhile, American exports to Africa have actually dropped from a high of $38 billion in 2014 to $22 billion in 2017, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Bloomberg: Tillerson Heads to Africa With Security, Not Aid, as U.S. Focus [link<https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-07/tillerson-heads-to-africa-with-security-not-aid-as-u-s-focus>]

* Tillerson heads to the continent with the Trump administration advocating cuts of more than a third in aid to African countries and programs, along with deep reductions to global health initiatives. With several U.S. allies struggling to rein in Islamist extremist groups, and China increasingly making inroads on the continent, the U.S. security relationship will be the focus.
* Adding to a sense of drift, U.S. exports to Africa in 2017 hit their lowest since 2006, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures, while senior State Department posts for the continent remain unstaffed.
* “None of Africa’s challenges can be resolved through the use of military force as the primary agent of change,” General Thomas Waldhauser, the head of U.S. Africa Command, told lawmakers Tuesday. “Therefore, our first strategic theme is that AFRICOM activities directly support U.S. diplomatic and development efforts in Africa.”
* Africa hasn’t been a priority for this administration’s diplomacy, and the staffing woes that afflict the entire State Department haven’t spared its Bureau of African Affairs. There is still no assistant secretary of state for that office, or even an announced nominee.

AFP: Tillerson heads to Africa, with China in his sights [link<http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-5469997/Tillerson-heads-Africa-China-sights.html>]

* Critics, meanwhile, stressed that recent US engagement with the continent has been led by the Pentagon and focused too narrowly on ongoing counterterrorism battles.” And they noted that Tillerson's own plan to slash the State Department budget for diplomacy and aid by 30 percent leaves him ill-prepared to match China's targeted investment.
* US exports to Africa fell last year to just under $22 billion, down from $38 billion in 2012, when Washington had a slight trade surplus with the continent.
* Xi Jinping's government plans to give $60 billion in loans and export credits to African countries before 2020 and Chinese loans already far outstrip those of the World Bank.
* Tillerson's department, meanwhile, submitted a 2019 budget request that would cut US health programs in Africa by a fifth and diplomatic programs by more than a third.
* Tillerson has yet to appoint an assistant secretary of state for African affairs and eight US embassies in Africa have no ambassadors, including key players South Africa and Egypt.