Human rights groups have criticized Obama for visiting Ethiopia, saying his trip lends legitimacy to an oppressive government.
But he said he looks forward to a less restricted life when he leaves office.
President Obama capped a five-day trip to Kenya and Ethiopia by becoming the first sitting American president to address the African Union.
“There were some powerful speeches that really touched a nerve”. He called for equal rights for women in Africa.
He was applauded as he called for an end to corruption, female genital mutilation and child marriage on the continent.
But he didn’t stop there. Singling out Burundi, he said democratic progress is at stake when leaders cling to power.
In support of the country’s developing tourism industry, President Obama stopped at Bole global Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and visited Tewolde GebreMariam, CEO of the Ethiopian Airlines Group. After Eritrea, Ethiopia continues to be the African country that imprisons the most journalists.
The US president promised that in the process of fighting corruption and as African governments commit to taking action, the US will work with Africa to combat illicit financial flows, promote good governance, transparency and rule of law.
Obama earned the most enthusiastic applause when he said Africa’s democratic progress was at risk when leaders refused to step aside when their terms end. I think if I ran, I could win.
On Tuesday, United States President Barack Obama concluded his visit to Kenya and Ethiopia.
Yet, he went on, the rights to free and fair elections and freedom of speech, press and assembly are denied to many Africans.
“It certainly seemed as if he was hugely popular, not only with the officials he was meeting but within the wider population”, Smith says.
Still, he pointed to some of his administration’s signature programs, which have had a measurable impact in Africa.
Though Obama is popular in East Africa, some optimism about the first Kenyan American US leader has waned.
“Nobody should be president for life”, Mr Obama said. “I am in my second term”.
“Africa is on the move, and a new Africa is emerging“, he said at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, adding the continent’s rapid economic growth was changing “old stereotypes” of a continent of war and poverty.
“The point is I don’t understand why people want to stay so long”.
Of course, Obama’s speech has a special significance.
He also announced $140 million in investments to the US government’s global hunger and food security initiative “Feed the Future”, which is aimed at getting climate-resilient seeds to farmers in 11 African nations.
Obama’s speech closed a homecoming of sorts to Africa.
