Obama begins Africa tour in Senegal

Associated Press photo

U.S. President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, and daughters Sasha, front left, and Malia descend from Air Force One as they arrive in Dakar, Senegal, on Wednesday.

US President Barack Obama has met with Senegal President Macky Sall, but the rest of his Africa tour is shrouded in doubt with Nelson Mandela apparently slipping ever closer to death.
Obama was due to travel on to South Africa onFriday, but his plans could change should the country be plunged into mourning before he arrives on the second leg of a tour of a continent where he has deep ancestral roots.
White House officials have declined to comment on contingency plans for the trip, which is also scheduled to include a visit to Tanzania, but behind the scenes they were working to respond to various scenarios.
Obama and his wife Michelle on Thursday arrived at Senegal's presidential palace, wherethe presidents will hold a press conference, before the US leader heads to the Supreme Court in Dakar to discuss the rule of law.
Washington is keen to highlight Muslim-majority Senegal as an example of democracy and good governance in a corner of Africa plagued by instability and the threat of Islamicextremism in neighbouring Mali.
In a moment of high symbolism, Obama will take a ferry to Goree Island off the Senegal coast, a memorial to the hundreds of thousands of Africans claimed by the slave trade.
In a "full circle" moment of history, Obama, theson of a Kenyan father, and his wife Michelle, the descendent of slaves, will acknowledge a dark period of American and African history.
"There's this link between Obama, an American originating from Africa through his father, and his wife, an African-American originating from Africa through her ancestors,"said House of Slaves curator Eloi Coly.
"I think with all these ingredients gathered together, this visit by the Obamas should be very special."
Obama claims a spiritual connection to Africa, but a crush of international crises in his first term thwarted his hopes to travel extensively on the continent. He did manage a short trip to Ghana in 2009.
His tour is designed to highlight Africa's emerging economic potential and growing middle class, as well as youth and health programs, and to emphasise US engagement in a region benefiting from a wave of Chinese investment.