News / Africa
Obama blasts dictators
11 Dec 2013 at 03:30hrs | Views
US President Barack Obama yesterday admonished world leaders co-opting Nelson Mandela's struggle against oppression yet suppressing opposition and critics in their own countries.
In a powerful and personal speech, clearly acknowledging the links between the struggle against apartheid in South Africa and the struggle against segregation in the United States, Obama, the first black president of the US, said Mandela was evidence that if politicians truly wish to be remembered by history, they first need to simply be good people.
"There are too many leaders who claim solidarity with Madiba's struggle for freedom, but do not tolerate dissent from their own people," US president Barack Obama said on Tuesday.
Obama also said, "...there are too many of us who stand on the sidelines, comfortable in complacency or cynicism when our voices must be heard."
The US President said, "The questions we face today - how to promote equality and justice; to uphold freedom and human rights; to end conflict and sectarian war - do not have easy answers."
"We can choose a world defined not by conflict, but by peace and justice and opportunity," added Obama.
"We will never see the likes of Nelson Mandela again. But let me say to the young people of Africa, and young people around the world - you can make his (Mandela) life's work your own."
"Mandela taught us the power of action and the power of ideals, the importance of reasons and arguments. He understood the ideals could not be contained within prison walls," said Obama, to loud cheers from the crowd.
"He used decades of prison to sharpen his argument...he learnt the language and customs of his oppressors."
In a powerful and personal speech, clearly acknowledging the links between the struggle against apartheid in South Africa and the struggle against segregation in the United States, Obama, the first black president of the US, said Mandela was evidence that if politicians truly wish to be remembered by history, they first need to simply be good people.
"There are too many leaders who claim solidarity with Madiba's struggle for freedom, but do not tolerate dissent from their own people," US president Barack Obama said on Tuesday.
Obama also said, "...there are too many of us who stand on the sidelines, comfortable in complacency or cynicism when our voices must be heard."
"We can choose a world defined not by conflict, but by peace and justice and opportunity," added Obama.
"We will never see the likes of Nelson Mandela again. But let me say to the young people of Africa, and young people around the world - you can make his (Mandela) life's work your own."
"Mandela taught us the power of action and the power of ideals, the importance of reasons and arguments. He understood the ideals could not be contained within prison walls," said Obama, to loud cheers from the crowd.
"He used decades of prison to sharpen his argument...he learnt the language and customs of his oppressors."
Source - Byo24News
