Washington Meeting of African Leaders Opens to Protests
August
5, 2014, WASHINGTON (The New York
Times) — Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the State Department
on Monday, the start of a summit meeting here of more than 40 African
heads of state, to denounce some of the leaders as “torturers” and
“killers.”
5, 2014, WASHINGTON (The New York
Times) — Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the State Department
on Monday, the start of a summit meeting here of more than 40 African
heads of state, to denounce some of the leaders as “torturers” and
“killers.”
The protesters, who were mostly from Ethiopia and the Democratic
Republic of Congo, said they were angry that the White House was looking
to enhance economic ties with repressive governments. “Stop financing dictators,” the crowd chanted. “President Obama, shame on you.”
dictators,” the crowd chanted. “President Obama, shame on you.”
Obang Metho, director of the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia,
referenced Mr. Obama’s message to African leaders during his 2009 trip.
“Africa doesn’t need strongmen. It needs strong institutions,” Mr.
Obama said at the time.
of the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia,
referenced Mr. Obama’s message to African leaders during his 2009 trip.
“Africa doesn’t need strongmen. It needs strong institutions,” Mr.
Obama said at the time.
“Now he is sitting with strongmen,” Mr. Metho said. “Where are the strong institutions?”
