Speaking to the young African leaders, the President touched on key issues, including:
- Business
- Jobs
- Trade
- Investment
- Agriculture
- Technology
- Bribery and corruption
- Good governance
- Human rights
- Transparency
- Accountability
- Civil society
- Health (HIV/AIDS)
- Democracy, etc.
A friend of mine on Facebook shared the following video of Obama's town hall with young African leaders, and I thought it wise to share the video with you. WATCH...
I must tell you - I was not in the White House during the town hall, but as a young African watching the video, I felt connected with the President like he was talking to me directly.
The questions posed by the young African leaders sounded very much like questions I'd ask the President in such an occasion. I was particularly impressed by the question posed by the young African leader from Mozambique, about Obama's recommendation to young people in Africa - in terms of principles of non-violence, good governance and democratic principles, as well the question asked by Sidney Chelsea from Zimbabwe.
The fact that President Obama took Africa's octogenarian leaders like 86-year-old President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe to task was commendable. This is the case because, as Nelson Mandela once said, an "octogenarian shouldn't be meddling in politics."
Obama's meeting with young African leaders in the White House signaled a remarkable step in moving the continent forward. The future of Africa is truly in the hands of young African leaders.
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