Africa had not fulfilled the high expectations of the Obama presidency, many of which he has. Now he travels for the first Time after his term of office, to Kenya and South Africa. Can he be a man of low expectations?
“I look forward to a life after my presidency; without a large security contingent around the clock,” said Barack Obama, then President of the United States, during his speech 2015 of the African Union. He sounded this euphoric: “that means I can go wherever I want. I can spend time with my family. And I can visit Africa more often.” Nevertheless, he was around one and a half years time.
His schedule is not filled, but less than the times in which he was regarded as the most powerful man in the world: he is for two days in Kenya, the homeland of his father. However, he does not want to spend time with his family, but on Monday, a Sport and education centre for young people open, has established his sister, Auma Obama. In addition, he plans a visit of Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Visit without political Motivation
“I think now is a good time for Barack Obama to come to Kenya,” says Martin Oloo in the DW-Interview. “As a private person, he can mobilize now able to take part in events that interest him, investors and for his personal contribution, without that the Whole thing seems politically motivated,” the Kenyan policy Analyst.
But politics is also on the program: “Obama will congratulate the Kenyan politicians, you have decided after the turbulent elections, the country’s needs before their own and to work together,” says Oloo. Although he’ll appeal to the current corruption scandals in the Kenyan authorities, but surely, in Four-to-one meetings with the respective parties, suspected by the Analyst. Sure, the Kenyans will receive their self-proclaimed national heroes, to the times of his presidency.
Barack Obama, during his term of office at the Meeting with young African leaders in Washington DC
What remains of the Obama mania?
As Barack Obama was sworn in 2009, the first African-American President, and flooded the ‘Obama mania’ of the continent. African fabrics have been printed with his photo, Portraits of the American statesman were in the Repertoire of every African artist. The expectations of the Africans, their continent will occupy a higher priority in U.S. foreign policy, investment, and development assistance. After eight years in office to disillusion many of the Africans followed. They were of the view that the first US President with African roots has not committed enough for the continent.
“I give him six out of ten points for his Africa policy,” the judgment of Martin Oloo. “Obama knows Africa and its problems, surely he would have done more if he’d had a more supportive environment.” However, the economic crisis and rising unemployment in their own country, on foreign policy focal points in Afghanistan and Iraq left him in the first years of his presidency little time for Africa. This, he later tried to catch up: During four trips to Africa, he visited seven States – more than any other U.S. President – and spoke as the first President of the US President in front of the African Union. Instead of focusing on humanitarian assistance, he stressed the economic Potential of the continent.
“No President for Africa, but for the United States”
“What you do not understand a lot of Africans, is that Obama was not the President of Kenya, or an American President for Africa, but first and foremost the President of the United States of America,” the policy expert Martin Oloo. “Accordingly, he had to represent the interests of his own country.” Obama’s successor, Donald Trump, however, showed little interest in Africa. Besides visa bans for certain African countries to pronounce, and to refer to others as “shit-hole countries,” said he so far to the American policy on Africa.
Portraits of Barack Obama during his tenure in the Repertoire of many African artists
Following his Kenya visit to Barack Obama will travel to South Africa, where he will hold a speech in honor of Nelson Mandela. The South African freedom fighters would at 18. July will be 100 years old. Obama stressed often that Nelson Mandela had influenced him not only in his political career. Personally, Obama Nelson Mandela met prior to his time as US President. At Mandela’s funeral in 2013, he gave a speech.
In Honor Of Nelson Mandela
For South Africa, Obama’s private trip, have a great symbolic value, says Andrew Feinstein, former member of the South African party, the African National Congress, also heard Mandela: “I think there is a certain irony here, considering that Ronald Reagan, Nelson Mandela, has publicly termed as a Terrorist,” said Feinstein in a DW interview. “The fact that the first African-American President now comes to South Africa to honour the legacy of Mandela, is in retrospect, very important.” Symbolically, the planned Meeting between Obama and the acting South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. “So he shows some degree of public recognition compared to Ramaphosa and recognizes the change that is taking place in South Africa, after the dark years are over, under Jacob Zuma.”
Barack Obama in his speech at the funeral of Nelson Mandela
At the conclusion of his trip to Africa, Barack Obama is in front of around 200 scholars of his own Foundation talk that he has invited to a Workshop to Johannesburg. The aim of the programme: young African leaders to educate and promote. “Obama is for many young Africans is an important role model”, also emphasizes the Kenyans Martin Oloo. “An educated man with integrity and good manners – as an exemplary political leader.”
Staff: Daniel Pelz