-Greater involvement by Obama –
Obama, who plans personal involvement Tuesday and Wednesday at the summit, is the first US president of African descent but devoted little time in his first term to the continent.
He travelled last year to Africa and announced an initiative to bring electricity to at least 20 million more Africans through $7 billion in private funds. But officials have warned observers not to expect flashy announcements from the summit in Washington. READ: Uhuru departs for US-Africa leaders Summit.
South African President Jacob Zuma said he believed Obama’s African background “has not helped” as he faces domestic political pressure in the United States not to put more focus on Africa.
“I believe he could have done more, but I think he always was aware of this fact, and therefore he has navigated the situation very well,” Zuma told reporters.
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