MOSCOW, August 8 (RIA Novosti) - The US-Africa Leaders Summit “Investing in the Next Generation” focused on trade and security issues instead of violations of law and human rights, Daniel Bekele, Africa director for Human Rights Watch, told New York Daily News.
“It is kind of like a missed opportunity,” said Bekele of the summit. Obama “is focused on trade and security issues” rather than focusing on flagrant violations of law and human rights, Bekele added, the newspaper reported.
Barred from the summit were Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir, Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe, Eritrea’s Isaias Afewerki and the Central African Republic’s interim President Catherine Samba-Panza.
Two notorious leaders at the summit were Angolan President Eduardo dos Santos accused of using arbitrary arrests and a repressive police force to silence opposition as well as Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome, who has used anti-terror laws to suppress protest.
“Today was an opportunity to highlight the importance of rule of law, open and accountable institutions, strong civil societies, and protection of human rights for all citizens and all communities,” Obama said in his closing remarks at a press conference after the summit on Wednesday.
“And I made the point during our discussion that nations that uphold these rights and principles will ultimately be more prosperous and more economically successful,” Obama added.
Critics like Bekele commented that Obama’s strong words on human rights had not translated into policy, New York Daily News reported.
According to the White House’s official website, the summit centered on encouraging progress in expanding trade and investment ties, engaging young African leaders, promoting inclusive sustainable development, expanding cooperation on peace and security, and gaining a better future for Africa’s next generation. The website states that the US president invited all African heads of state or government in good standing with the United States and the African Union.
