Johnnie Carson (Tanzania) Special Presidential Representative for U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit

Johnnie Carson (PCV Tanzania 1965-68)

Ambassador Johnnie Carson was appointed as the Special Presidential Representative for U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Implementation in December 2022.  Formerly, he served as the Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs from May 2009 to March 2013.  Prior to this he was the national intelligence officer for Africa at the National Intelligence Council, after serving as the senior vice president of the National Defense University in Washington, D.C. (2003-2006).

Ambassador Carson’s 37-year foreign service career includes ambassadorships to Kenya (1999-2003), Zimbabwe (1995-1997), and Uganda (1991-1994); and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of African Affairs (1997-1999). Earlier in his career he had assignments in Portugal (1982-1986), Botswana (1986-1990), Mozambique (1975-1978), and Nigeria (1969-1971). He has also served as desk officer in the Africa section at State’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research (1971-1974); Staff Officer for the Secretary of State (1978-1979), and Staff Director for the Africa Subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives (1979-1982).

Before joining the Foreign Service, Ambassador Carson was a Peace Corps volunteer in Tanzania from 1965-1968. He has a bachelor’s  degree in history and political science from Drake University, and a master’s in international relations from the School of Oriental and Africa Studies at the University of London.

Ambassador Carson is the recipient of several Superior Honor Awards from the Department of State and a Meritorious Service Award from Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. The Centers for Disease Control presented him with its highest award, “Champion of Prevention Award,” for his leadership in directing the U.S. Government’s HIV/AIDS prevention efforts in Kenya.

EVENT:  Please join us on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, for a digital press briefing with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs Assistant Secretary of State, Molly Phee, National Security Council Senior Director for African Affairs, Judd Devermont, and Special Presidential Representative for U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Implementation, Ambassador Johnnie Carson.  Assistant Secretary Phee, Senior Director Devermont, and Ambassador Carson will discuss the progress made over the last six months in implementing the achievements of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit and how these efforts highlight the U.S. commitment to the African continent. After brief opening remarks, the speakers will take questions from participating journalists.