President Obama to visit Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania

The American President, Barack Obama will embark on a trip to Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania after his previous trip to Ghana during his first term.

This is a very important opportunity for him to advance US interests in a range of areas such as, US engagement in Africa at the beginning of his second term, a press release from the US Embassy has said.

The Deputy National Security Advisor, Ben Rhodes said, “frankly, we see Africa as one of the most important emerging regions in the world, and a place for the US to significantly increase our engagement in the years to come.”

“I think one of the things you’ll see on his trip is we’ll be incorporating events that bring in the private sector in each of the countries that we’re visiting. Trade and investment and the economic opportunities on the continent are going to be an important part of the agenda; as well as democracy and democratic institution-building.

Each of the countries that we’re visiting are strong democracies, and the President has made it a priority to support the consolidation of democratic institutions in Africa so that Africans are focused not just on democratic elections, but institutions like parliaments, independent judiciaries, and strengthening of the rule of law,  both as necessary elements of a democratic government, but also as necessary elements of development,” he added.

According to the statement, the President will discuss the  global health agenda, much of which has been focused on combating preventable diseases, HIV/AIDS, and carrying forward the very good work that’s been done for many years to improve not just combating the disease, but to improve public health systems in South Africa and across the continent.

By Dorcas Appiah