Washington, DC - Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Sarah Sewall is on travel to Mali and Guinea April 14-21. Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zainab Hawa Bangura will accompany Under Secretary Sewall.

In Mali, Under Secretary Sewall will meet with Prime Minister Modibo Keita as well as other government officials, civil society representatives, and members of the diplomatic community to encourage implementation of the 2015 Accord for Peace and Reconciliation and to emphasize U.S. support for ensuring accountability for conflict-related sexual violence. She will also discuss the threat of violent extremism and meet with Malian officials who are drafting the country’s first national action plan to prevent violent extremism.

In Guinea, Under Secretary Sewall will meet with senior government officials and civil society representatives to discuss the investigation of the 2009 stadium massacre case, the ongoing challenge of sexual and gender-based violence, and the global threat of violent extremism. She will visit a U.S.-supported program focused on the elimination of female genital mutilation and cutting and meet with survivors and family members of victims of the 2009 stadium massacre.