(CNN) -- U.S. President Barack Obama arrived in
South Africa on Friday for the second leg of a trip overshadowed by the
deteriorating health of anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela.
Obama did not appear to rule out a visit to see the ailing former president, but said he will leave it up to the family.
"We'll see what the
situation is when we land," he said en route to Johannesburg. "I don't
need a photo op, and the last thing I want to do is to be in any way
obtrusive at a time when the family is concerned with Nelson Mandela's
condition."
The president left the
United States on Wednesday for Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania -- his
second visit to sub-Saharan Africa since taking office.
The trip aims to bolster African investment opportunities for U.S.
businesses, address development issues such as food security and health,
and promote democracy. It comes as China aggressively engages the
continent, pouring billions of dollars into it and replacing the United
States as Africa's largest trading partner.
No comments:
Post a Comment