The visit by the US President and his family is, according to the Voice Of America, focussed on supporting democracy on the continent as well as looking at increasing US trade and investment. There have been some questions raised over Obama’s choice of countries to visit on the tour. There is some speculation that the tour is in part prompted by a concern of growing Islamic militancy in Mali.
“In Senegal you have a country that is an emerging democracy, that is a partner with us in situations like Mali, that we want to invest in, on issues like food security, and the development of civil society,” Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes was quoted by VOA as saying.
Food security will also be one of Obama’s key priorities on the trip and he will be meeting private and agricultural sector leaders from Senegal and West Africa to discuss policy on this matter.
“In Senegal you have a country that is an emerging democracy, that is a partner with us in situations like Mali, that we want to invest in, on issues like food security, and the development of civil society,” Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes was quoted by VOA as saying.
Food security will also be one of Obama’s key priorities on the trip and he will be meeting private and agricultural sector leaders from Senegal and West Africa to discuss policy on this matter.