US President Barack Obama, the first black president of the world's sole superpower, is finally in Africa. The
on-going three-nation tour to Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania, his
first substantial visit to the continent since taking office in 2009,
offers the US leader an opportunity to get first-hand experiences of
both Africa's aspirations for development and the daunting challenges
facing the continent.
It is worth noting that two of Obama's destinations, namely South Africa and Tanzania, also hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping in March during the Chinese leader's maiden overseas tour since assuming presidency. Some Western observers might see the coincidence as symbolic, which testifies to the perceived rivalry between the world's two largest economies competing for business opportunities and political influence on the African continent.
It is worth noting that two of Obama's destinations, namely South Africa and Tanzania, also hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping in March during the Chinese leader's maiden overseas tour since assuming presidency. Some Western observers might see the coincidence as symbolic, which testifies to the perceived rivalry between the world's two largest economies competing for business opportunities and political influence on the African continent.
