The “story” of this trip, as crafted by the White House, is a very strong one for the American people. (This is my interpretation, not anything put forth by the White House.)
Day One: Start by showing the American people that Africa has some strong democracies practicing good governance.
- Meet with a head of state who was elected in a fair and democratic election.
- Speak about the importance of democracy and fair governance
- Visit some of the institutions that underpin a democracy, such as an independent judiciary and civil society organizations that monitor government.
That is exactly what the White House did.
President Barack Obama and President Macky Sall at the Presidential Palace.
Photo Credit: Arnold Lewis
Today we boarded a press bus at 6AM to attend a press conference behind the Presidential Palace where President Obama and President Sall gave remarks and took questions. On the way, we saw signs that said “Welcome Home, President Obama.” The streets were also lined with posters showing the two presidents alongside one another. The Senegalese connection to the first African American president is very strong, and one can feel a palpable excitement in the streets about the Obama family’s visit. They were claiming Obama as their son.
Both President Sall and President Obama delivered remarks about the importance of democratic institutions. There was an obvious ease and comfort between the two men. In his remarks, President Obama commented on the fact that Senegal should be commended for having a free press and dozens of political parties. President Sall interrupted him, and corrected him by noting that Senegal has over 200 political parties. Obama spontaneously replied, “Back in Washington we have our hands full with just two parties. I don’t know how you manage it.” Of course, the press laughed.
President Obama addressing the press in front of Senegal’s Presidential Palace.
Photo Credit: Arnold Lewis
Following the press conference, the President visited the Supreme Court of Senegal, and then they visited with several civil society organizations. In the afternoon, he and the First Family — including the First Grandmother — visited Goree Island. The President lingered in the ‘Door of No Return,’ and then gave remarks. After visiting Goree Island, he said, “Obviously, for an African-American, an African-American president, to be able to visit this site, I think, gives me even greater motivation in terms of human rights around the world.”
In the evening, the President attended a state dinner with President Macky and both first ladies. President Macky gave President Obama a meaningful surprise gift. In Obama’s autobiography, “Dreams from My Father,” he tells a story of a chance meeting of a Senegalese man in Spain. Obama had been impressed by the way his shared African ancestry created a bridge to a stranger who bought him a coffee. President Sall found that man, and the man bounded up to the stage to greet President Obama. That was an emotional moment.
Back at the hotel, we had another press briefing with White House Press Staff, as well as the head of USAID, Rajiv Shah, a rock star in his own right as the first Indian American head of USAID and the first person in that seat to have a shared cultural background with one of the emerging countries to whom we give aid.
A candid shot during my interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker.
Photo Credit: @Shawnanbcnews, Instagram
A big surprise for me was being asked by our fellow travelers, the NBC film crew, if I would appear on a piece they are preparing for tomorrow’s episode of the Today Show hosted by Kristen Welker. The piece is on the First Lady, and I was asked to comment about what her visit means and how she is able to assist the president in his goals for this state visit. I was pleased to have been asked to be in front of an additional camera, besides our own.
But after spending a few minutes with the NBC team, I came back to the Filing Center and worked to edit the pieces we are publishing ourselves on Africa.com. We made an attempt to do a “gorilla caliber” TV news insert for our website, a daily blog post, and a photo slideshow made from the many fabulous images that our photographer took.
With the NBC crew.
Photo Credit: Arnold Lewis
We worked until about 2 AM, and then grabbed an hour or so of sleep before pushing off at 4 AM for our next flight to Johannesburg. And I thought that life as an investment banker was hard. Huh! Journalism is not for the weak or timid. All in all, another great day in the life of newly minted member of the White House Press Corps.
The post Obama in Africa: The Press Corp Chronicles – Day 3 appeared first on Africa.com Blog.