Bush had said that in accordance to the foreign policy under his administration, the continent of Africa has always been a priority. While visiting the country of Tanzania, Bush had said that the people of Zimbabwe deserve a government that gives recognition to the basic human rights. Currently, Zimbabwe has the highest rate of inflation in the world with the percentage in four figures.
Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s current president has been blamed for damaging the country’s economy. However, Mugabe fired back saying that it is a plot by Western nations to remove him from power.
The visit to Tanzania is part of his six-day tour across five nations of Africa. While in Tanzania, Bush had signed a deal worth $698 million with Jakaya Kilweteto, Tanzania’s president. The deal is designed to reduce the nation’s poverty.
Also, the deal is aimed is to improve roads, powers, and the supply of water. This is all part of the Millennium Challenge compact. Countries are eligible for such grants provided they keep to both principles of democracy and economic policies that are sound.
But, Bush also focused on the Zimbabwe elections.
“It happens to be in the interest of the world as well,” Bush said in regards to Zimbabwe. He was at a joint news conference with the new head of the African Union (AU), President Kikwete. Zimbabwe’s elections are planned to be held at the end of March.
Western nations said that the 2002 elections were not free and fair. Mugabe was reelected into office back then.
Bush had also talked about the post-election violence in Kenya. He will also visit Rwanda, Ghana, and Liberia for the remainder of his 6-day trip to Africa.
He did address that much more needed to take place in Darfur. But, he stood by his decision not to send US troops to the region. In a recent interview before his trip to Africa, Bush was asked about Steven Spielberg’s decision to walk off from the 2008 Olympics that are due to take place in Beijing.
Bush said that politics and sports should be separate. He said that he will meet with China’s president and remind him that there is more he can do in regards to Sudan.
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