February 20, 2008

A Call for Action

President Bush visits Africa to draw the world's attention to important issues on the continent

By Claudia Atticot

On February 16, President George W. Bush left the U.S. for Africa, on what he calls his "mission of mercy." During his five-country tour, the President called attention to the violence that has plagued the continent in recent years. But he also highlighted some of its success stories.

CHARLES DHARAPAK—AP In Tanzania, President George W. Bush meets workers who produce mosquito nets used to fight malaria.

Help for a Deadly Disease

The President's trip included meetings with leaders of Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda and Ghana. On Wednesday, Bush met with Ghana's president John Kufuor to discuss efforts to combat malaria.

Malaria is the largest single killer of children in Ghana. More than 20,000 children die every year from the disease, which is carried by mosquitoes.

In 2005, Bush signed a malaria initiative, which provided life-saving medicines and insecticide-treated mosquito nets to millions of people. Under Bush's leadership, the U.S. has provided Africa with billions of dollars in aid. In addition to fighting disease, the funds have helped to expand education and improve women's rights on the continent.

A History of Violence

Bush called for the global community to join together to find ways to stop the ongoing violence in Kenya and Sudan. More than 1,000 people in Kenya have been killed in conflicts among ethnic groups, following the country's disputed election in December.

Sudan also suffers from ongoing violence. Since 2004, the U.S. has spent $15 million to transport more than 11,000 peacekeeping troops to the region.

During his stop in Rwanda, in central Africa, Bush visited the Kigali Memorial Centre, an outdoor monument marking a terribly violent time in the nation's history.

In 1994, more than 800,000 members of the Tutsi and the Hutu tribes were killed in 100 days of fighting. "It can't help but shake your emotions to their very foundation," said Bush, as he stood alongside Rwanda's president Paul Kagame.

Making a Change

During his trip, the President called attention to African nations that enjoy stability and peace.

In Tanzania, he praised its leader's efforts to fight corruption. And in Ghana, he hailed the democratic nation's peacekeeping efforts within the continent.

The President has promised continued commitment to the continent. His six-day tour ends on Thursday, in the west African nation of Liberia.

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