Johnnie Carson

Johnnie Carson (born April 7, 1943) is an American diplomat who has served as United States Ambassador to several African nations. In 2009 he was nominated to become U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs by President Barack Obama. He resigned in 2013 after four years in the role and following the resignation of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He is currently a Senior Advisor at Albright Stonebridge Group.

Background Carson was born April 7, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois. Carson is married, has three children, and resides in Reston, Virginia. He graduated from Drake University with a B.A. in History and Political Science in 1965 and later obtained a Master of Arts in International Relations from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London in 1975. Before joining the Foreign Service, Carson was a Peace Corps volunteer in Tanzania from 1965 to 1968.

Assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson (left), along with Colin Powell, Susan Rice, and R. Barrie Walkley, inaugurating the new US Embassy in Juba, South Sudan, July 9, 2011 In March 2009, Carson was nominated to become U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs by President Barack Obama. In February 2013, Carson said of the Kenyan elections that the US wasn't officially backing any candidate, but "choices have consequences," reportedly contradicting President Obama's office after Obama said the decision was "up to the Kenyan people."

In March 2013, it was reported that Carson would be stepping down from his post after serving for four years. In May 2013, Carson joined the United States Institute of Peace as a senior adviser. Carson also serves on the Board of Directors of the National Democratic Institute.

On January 15, 2015, he urged increased engagement with Nigeria for both the US and European partners, to assist in maintaining stability in the light of the upcoming 2015 Nigerian general election, security problems in Northeastern Nigeria, and economic concerns regarding rising oil prices.