Africa Visit: Obama To Focus on Variety Of Issues

President Obama will use his trip to South African to engage Nigerian
youths about the security challenges facing Nigeria and the
fundamental importance of Nigeria Africa, the United States has said.


Speaking at a media call on Mr. Obama's trip to Africa next week, Ben
Rhodes, the Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic
Communication, indicated that despite the fact that the president will
not set foot on Nigeria soil, it would engage in bilateral talks with
the country.


From June 26 to July 3, President Obama will visit three African
countries: Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania. He will be accompanied
by First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughters, Sasha and Malia.


The White House said that the trip was the United States engagement
with Africa as theyconsidered it an important region in the world.
According to Mr. Rhodes, the trip would reaffirm the US's commitment
to peace, security, development, and prosperity across the continent,
tapping into trade and development, economic opportunities, as wellas
investing in youths who are considered to be the key pillars of the
development agenda.


During his first stop, in Senegal, Mr. Obama will address the Supreme
Court on the rule of law in the region. He will also visit Goree
Island and the House of Slaves where he will speak to civil society
groups.


In South Africa, President Obama is expected to travel to Pretoria and
Johannesburg, and discuss security issues regarding South Sudan. He
will meet with the AU chairperson, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, before
hosting a town hall meeting in Soweto with the Young African
Initiative (YAL).


He will also travel to Robben Island and then to a community center
where he will discuss the challenges of HIV and other health issues
with Bishop Desmond Tutu.

During a visit to the University of Cape Town, he is expected to lay
out his vision for the world.
Asked if President Obama will visit ailing Nelson Mandela, Mr. Rhodes
said President Obama, will be "deferential" on what would be in the
best interest of the former South African President and his family. He
added that his thoughts and prayers are with Mandela.


In Tanzania, President Obama will hold bilateral talks with President
Jikaya Kikwete and participate in a roundtable business leadership
forum on what the US can do to increase trade and improve economic
growth. He is also expected to visit the site of the embassy bombing
in Dar es Salaam before he leaves the country.


At the briefing, it was revealed that President Obama has no plans to
meet up with his grandmother, Sarah Obama because the two met in
Berlin, Germany during his recent European tour.


A reporter asked why the president does many frequent African trips
since it was a place for economic growth Ben's response was that the
trip was sending a signal of the U.S integration by bringing along an
economic team of experts and bringing in young people to help send
that message of US interest in African youth and economic growth.


On why there is an increasing military presence in Africa that
involves the use of drones, a member of the panel answered thatthe
African Command of the US military "AFRICOM" is building African
capacity, helping in the effort to capture Joseph Kony, supporting
Uganda against the Lords Resistance Army and supporting Mali in its
conflict with the rebels there.


Numerous media houses, including SaharaReporters, joined the media call.