U.S. President Barack Obama ended his historic tour of East Africa with a speech Tuesday at the African Union headquarters in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa. It was the first time a sitting American president addressed the 54-member regional bloc, which promotes peace and security throughout Africa. Obama said it was time for the world to change its approach to Africa during his keynote speech.
“I stand before you as a proud American. I also stand before you as the son of an African,” Obama said during his address Tuesday. “A half century into this independence era, it is long past time to put aside old stereotypes of an Africa forever mired in poverty and conflict. The world must recognize Africa’s extraordinary progress."
The U.S. president embarked on the five-day, two-nation trip to Africa last Friday, starting with a visit to Kenya, the homeland of his late father. It was the first time Obama traveled to Kenya during his presidency. While in the capital city of Nairobi, Obama co-hosted the sixth annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and held bilateral talks on business development, security, human rights and LGBT equality. The American president’s comments on gay rights came on the heels of protests against LGBT rights in Kenya, where homosexuality is illegal.
Obama African Union Speech In Ethiopia: President Ends Africa Visit With Historic Address
thats in the root and its mad disparaging. Smh at people calling Obama a cac for speaking the truth about African leaders clinging on to power. I could understand them not agreeing with the gay comments but the passing of power??