Trump tries to put some salve on ties with Africa
DAVOS, Switzerland: US president Donald Trump sought to mend relations yesterday with a key African leader in the after math of his controversial comments about African nations, praising the US partnership with Rwanda on the sidelines of the annual World Economic Forum.
Trump’s meeting with Rwandan president Paul Kagame came shortly after Trump drew widespread condemnation for allegedly referring to African nations as “s**thole countries” in dis- missing a bipartisan immigration proposal, according to those at the meeting.
The president has denied using that language. Others present insist he did.
Trump described having “tremendous discussions” with Kagame, who is beginning a one-year term as head of the AU, a 55-member continental body that criticised the US president’s remarks. Neither Trump nor Kagame mentioned the row during comments to reporters.
“It really truly is a great honour,” Trump told Kagame, noting his role with the AU. “So please give my regards, I know you’re going to your first meeting very shortly. Please give my warmest regards. But it’s an honour to have you as a friend.”
Kagame said they had “good discussions” on economic and trade issues. He said the AU was “looking forward to working with the United States”. Trump’s national security adviser Herbert McMaster said the two would discuss security and economic issues.
The AU and several African nations expressed shock and condemnation over Trump’s remark, with an AU spokeswoman saying the organisation was “frankly alarmed”. Dozens of former US ambassadors to African countries wrote to Trump expressing “deep concern” over his comments.
The State Department hurried to reassure African nations, with the department’s Bureau of African Affairs tweeting that “the United States will continue to robustly, enthusiastically and forcefully engage” with them.
Heads of state are expected to come up with another response to Trump at an AU summit that starts tomorrow in Ethiopia. The US will be represented by Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard, the US envoy to the AU.
Kagame has led his East African nation since the end of the genocide there in 1994. He has been praised for economic growth, but human rights groups accuse his government of silencing opponents. – AP/ African News Agency (ANA)