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Barack Obama ends Africa tour with wreath-laying alongside George W Bush Barack Obama ends Africa tour with wreath-laying alongside George W Bush
(35 minutes later)
Barack Obama and his predecessor George W Bush found common ground in east Africa on Tuesday when they honoured the victims of a terrorist attack a world away from home.Barack Obama and his predecessor George W Bush found common ground in east Africa on Tuesday when they honoured the victims of a terrorist attack a world away from home.
The US presidents had a brief, silent appearance together at a monument to victims of the 1998 embassy bombing in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where Bush coincidentally happened to be as Obama wrapped up a weeklong tour of the continent. While the two men did not say anything publicly, their wives engaged in a warm and chatty joint appearance at a summit on African women. The US presidents made a brief appearance together at a monument to victims of the 1998 embassy bombing in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where Bush coincidentally happened to be as Obama wrapped up a weeklong tour of the continent.
Initially, the two men weren't even planning to meet while in town, but first lady Michelle Obama joked as she sat next to her predecessor: "They're learning from us." While the two men did not say anything publicly, their wives engaged in a warm and chatty joint appearance at a summit on African women.
The Obamas departed for home shortly after crossing paths with the Bushes, who were hosting the summit promoting the role of African first ladies in bringing change to their countries. Initially the two men had not planned to meet while in town, but Michelle Obama joked as she sat next to Laura Bush: "They're learning from us."
Bush joined the current president for the wreath-laying ceremony honouring the Tanzanian victims of the Osama bin Laden-masterminded simultaneous attacks at the US embassies in Dar es Salaam and in Nairobi, Kenya. The Obamas departed for home shortly after crossing paths with the Bushes, who were hosting a summit promoting the role of African first ladies in bringing change to their countries.
Meanwhile, their wives were putting on a public display of mutual affection in a discussion moderated by American journalist Cokie Roberts. Michelle Obama said she wanted to appear with Laura Bush because "I like this woman". Bush joined Obama for a wreath-laying ceremony honouring the Tanzanian victims of the Osama bin Laden-masterminded simultaneous attacks at the US embassies in Dar es Salaam and in Nairobi, Kenya.
Meanwhile their wives were putting on a public display of mutual affection in a discussion moderated by the US journalist Cokie Roberts. Mrs Obama said she wanted to appear with Laura Bush because "I like this woman".
"It's sort of a club, a sorority, I guess," Mrs Bush responded."It's sort of a club, a sorority, I guess," Mrs Bush responded.
Their goal was to encourage African first ladies to raise their voices for causes they were passionate about, even if the public was sometimes focused on more trivial matters, they said.Their goal was to encourage African first ladies to raise their voices for causes they were passionate about, even if the public was sometimes focused on more trivial matters, they said.
"While people are sorting through our shoes and our hair …," Mrs Obama started. "While people are sorting through our shoes and our hair …" Mrs Obama started.
"Whether we have bangs," Mrs Bush interjected to laughter. Mrs Obama expressed surprise that her change in hairstyle this year prompted so much media coverage. "Who would have thought?" "Whether we have bangs," Mrs Bush interjected to laughter. Mrs Obama expressed surprise that her change in hairstyle this year had prompted so much media coverage. "Who would have thought?"
While in Africa, Barack Obama had repeatedly praised George W Bush for helping save millions of lives by funding Aids treatment. "I'm looking forward to being able, on African soil, to once again thank him on behalf of the American people for showing how American generosity and foresight could end up making a real difference in people's lives," Obama said on Monday.While in Africa, Barack Obama had repeatedly praised George W Bush for helping save millions of lives by funding Aids treatment. "I'm looking forward to being able, on African soil, to once again thank him on behalf of the American people for showing how American generosity and foresight could end up making a real difference in people's lives," Obama said on Monday.
But he also said he wanted to change the US's approach to Africa. "We are looking at a new model that's based not just on aid and assistance, but on trade and partnership," he said.But he also said he wanted to change the US's approach to Africa. "We are looking at a new model that's based not just on aid and assistance, but on trade and partnership," he said.
"Ultimately, the goal here is for Africa to build Africa for Africans," Obama said. "And our job is to be a partner in that process.""Ultimately, the goal here is for Africa to build Africa for Africans," Obama said. "And our job is to be a partner in that process."
In that spirit, he announced a new trade agreement with eastern African nations and a programme to improve access to electricity. One invention that could help on the electricity front is the SOCCKET ball, developed by two Harvard graduates. The ball has a pendulum-like mechanism inside that creates kinetic energy during play and stores it. Its maker says 30 minutes of play can power a simple LED lamp for three hours. The plan is to distribute it to children in Africa. In that spirit, he announced a new trade agreement with eastern African nations and a programme to improve access to electricity. One invention that could help on the electricity front is the Soccket ball, developed by two Harvard graduates. The ball has a pendulum-like mechanism inside that creates kinetic energy during play and stores it. Its maker says 30 minutes of play can power a simple LED lamp for three hours. The plan is to distribute it to children in Africa.
Obama also reflected on the weeklong trip, recalling some of the people he met, including a female farmer in Senegal and young people in Soweto.Obama also reflected on the weeklong trip, recalling some of the people he met, including a female farmer in Senegal and young people in Soweto.
"I'm inspired because I'm absolutely convinced that with the right approach, Africa and its people can unleash a new era of prosperity," Obama said."I'm inspired because I'm absolutely convinced that with the right approach, Africa and its people can unleash a new era of prosperity," Obama said.
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