juba south sudan/kitchanga democratic republic congo mountainous camp displace congolese u.s. ambassador unite nations nikki haley wrap arm around inconsolable woman recount rap twice make passionate make determine haley tell small group reporters travel first trip africa carry voice women meet things say dispatch president donald trump ethiopia south sudan democratic republic congo haley trip one first tangible sign interest africa nine-month old administration challenge show unite state actively engage africa humanitarian political crises often overshadow urgent conflict elsewhere time honor trump avow america first policy put u.s. economic national interest ahead international commitments africa struggle win trump interest u.s. policy likely increasingly focus counter militant threats washington also financial interest stake try cut u.n. peacekeeping cost pay quarter trump make point say would impose u.s. value others raise concern among activists human right issue could take backseat nowhere focus niger deadly ambush kill four u.s. troop assist local nigerian force fight local islamic state affiliate month time washington mostly turn blind eye increasingly authoritarian move niger former opposition leader president mahamadou issoufou try stop militant threat expand haley former governor u.s. state south carolina senior member trump administration travel three sub-saharan state trip show balance political skills nascent foreign policy diplomacy experience move tear visit displace congolese kitchanga conflict-ravaged east country ethiopia gambella region kick shoe sit floor play south sudanese toddlers kid 18 one day haley tell small group reporters trip uneducated adult social skills resent fact put situation dangerous unite state dangerous world u.s. secretary state rex tillerson shy away spotlight haley carve high-profile role amid speculation tillerson future haley say offer job would say know take blunt approach raise eyebrows among diplomats unite nations haley take direct style lengthy one-on-one conversations south sudanese congolese leaders think bluntness important also expect back get candid conversations back say much appreciate want sit deal political talk want get realities situation clear yet south sudanese congolese leaders heed message kinshasa speak privately president joseph kabila 90 minutes say kinshasa must hold long-delayed election replace kabila end next year vote lose international support congolese opposition critical statement concede would election year violation deal kabila camp sign opposition last december without extract concessions return call kabila stay power beyond dec. 31 2017 equivalent pure simple make oneself complicit evil genius opposition leader olivier kamitatu write twitter photo haley visit juba haley meet president salva kiir 45 minutes show photos refugees visit gambella south sudan spiral civil war 2013 two years gain independence sudan spark feud kiir ethnic dinka former deputy riek machar nuer u.s. invest heavily process lead south sudan independence trump administration far less engage let alone influential try end war erupt haley plan meet trump vice president mike pence national security adviser h.r mcmaster week discuss trip give options ask give recommendation haley say trump much want know everybody else feel much take consideration make decision u.s. envoy haley 's blunt diplomacy target south sudan congo