In the first speech by a serving U.S. president to the 54-nation African Union, he said violence unleashed in Burundi by the president’s bid for a third term in office showed the risks of ignoring constitutional rules.
Advertisement
“I’ll be honest with you: I’m looking forward to life after being president”, he said, anticipating more time with his family and dropping the “big security detail” once his second and final term ends in about 18 months.
After his call on countries to take actions against corruption, Obama spent much of his speech calling on governments to stop harassing independent media, and asking leaders not to stay in power indefinitely. I’m still a pretty young man, but I know that somebody with new energy and new insights will be good for my country.
President Obama’s personal story may still be his best asset in the eyes of both the leaders and citizens of East Africa.
Yet, he went on, the rights to free and fair elections and freedom of speech, press and assembly are denied to many Africans. It has been an extraordinary privilege for me to serve as the President of the United States.
“The coming of the U.S. president will bring a new beginning for this country”, said Dawit Betty, 25, a student in Ethiopia’s capital of Addis Ababa, according to USA Today. “And this is often just a first step down a perilous path. And sometimes you’ll hear leaders say, ‘Well, I’m the only person who can hold the nation together.’ If that’s true, then that leader has failed to truly build their nation”.
“Economic relationships can not simply be about other countries building infrastructure with foreign labor, or extracting Africa’s natural resources,” Obama said.
Obama’s predecessors have also pushed for good governance and respect for human rights in Africa.
“It was kind of ironic that Obama was singing the praises of democracy in Ethiopia while ignoring its flaws there”, Izama said.
“It was excellent, inspiring”, said Aeneas Chuma, a UN worker from Zimbabwe who said he was speaking in his personal capacity. He was addressing the need for some of Africa’s leaders to move on from their position in power.
Addis Ababa university student Anatoli Bulti said Obama’s address was “empowering”.
“Especially when they’ve got a lot of money”.
While Obama’s initial remarks garnered criticism, his apparent attempt to walk them back earned him the reputation among some as a mealy-mouthed politician.
Advertisement
Entrepreneur, Thule Lenneiye, who was among several Zimbabweans invited to the global economic summit that President Obama co-hosted in Kenya, said she was impressed by Mr. Obama’s challenge to Africa to step up its efforts in ensuring that women have healthcare and education.
