A rights watchdog has urged the US Secretary of State to address issues of abuse, government secrecy and excessive use of force during her six-nation visit to Africa.
Human Rights Watch said in a public letter that Hilary Clinton should promote freedom of expression and association and encourage countries to address police and security force abuses.Ms Clinton started her 11-day trip in Senegal on Tuesday.
She will also visit South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi and South Africa.
Africa director at Human Rights Watch Daniel Bekele said while some of the countries on Ms Clinton’s tour engage in serious human rights violations, others have made notable progress in promoting transparency and accountability.
He added that human rights protection is essential to good governance and development.
Human Rights Watch says in its public letter that South Sudan faces significant human rights challenges.
The NGO called on the government of Juba to free all unlawfully detained prisoners, guarantee freedom of speech, and accelerate ratification of key international human rights treaties.
It urged that security forces be held to account for ongoing human rights abuses and justice and prison systems improved.