body-container-line-1

US President Barack Obama lands in Ethiopia

By AFP
Kenya US President Barack Obama arrives in Addis Ababa, on July 26, 2015 as he begins a two-day stay in Ethiopia.  By Saul Loeb AFP
JUL 26, 2015 LISTEN
US President Barack Obama arrives in Addis Ababa, on July 26, 2015 as he begins a two-day stay in Ethiopia. By Saul Loeb (AFP)

Addis Ababa (AFP) - US President Barack Obama landed in Ethiopia on Sunday, beginning a two-day stay and becoming the first American leader to visit Africa's second most populous nation.

Air Force One touched down at Addis Ababa's international airport after a short flight north from the Kenyan capital Nairobi.

The president was greeted by Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn before the 25-car convoy left for the US embassy.

The visit will include talks with the Ethiopian government, a key strategic ally but criticised for its record on democracy and human rights.

Obama will also become the first US president to address the African Union at its gleaming Chinese-built headquarters, with remarks that may touch on Africa's democracy deficit.

He will also hold talks with regional leaders on the civil war in South Sudan.

body-container-line