Economics

Obama Warns African Leaders They Must Act to Meet Challenges

His speech ends a visit that has combined demonstrations of personal bonds of affection, celebrations of the region’s recent economic progress, and scolding lectures on shortcomings.

US President Barack Obama (C), alongside US Special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan Donald Booth (R) speaks during a meeting with representatives from Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, the African Union and Sudan in Addis Ababa on July 27, 2015.
SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

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By Mike Dorning and Margaret Talev

July 28, 2015 at 11:11 AM UTC

Updated on

July 28, 2015 at 12:44 PM UTC

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President Barack Obama closed a five-day visit to Africa by delivering a stern warning that even as the region has shown increasing economic dynamism the continent’s political leaders are falling dangerously short of meeting the challenges that threaten their societies.

The speech Tuesday to representatives of the continent’s governments assembled at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, ends a visit that has combined demonstrations of personal bonds of affection, celebrations of the region’s recent economic progress and scolding lectures on shortcomings.