Obama calls for new model of partnership between US and Africa

Asserting that Africa's rise means opportunity for all, President Barack Obama today called for a new model of partnership between the US and Africa as he pledged full support to contain the spread of Ebola in the continent.
"Africa's rise means opportunity for all of us -- including the opportunity to transform the relationship between the United States and Africa," Obama said in his address to the opening session of the US-Africa Leaders Summit being hosted by him.
Leaders from more than 50 African countries are attending the three-day summit - said to be one of the largest of its kind.

"As I said in Cape Town last year, it's time for a new model of partnership between America and Africa -- a partnership of equals that focuses on African capacity to solve problems, and on Africa's capacity to grow. And that's why we're here," Obama said.
Obama then stressed that now there is an opportunity to focus on three broad areas -- opportunity to expand trade that creates jobs; opportunity to strengthen the governance upon which economic growth and free societies depend and opportunity to deepen security cooperation against common threats.
"We are here not just to talk. We are here to take action -- concrete steps to build on Africa's progress and forge the partnerships of equals that we seek; tangible steps to deliver more prosperity, more security, and more justice to our citizens," Obama said.

The US President was seated between Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who chairs the African Union, and Mozambique's President Armando Emilio Guebuza. Welcoming the leaders, he noted that the presidents of Liberia and Sierra Leone were unable to attend in order to deal with the Ebola outbreaks in their nations.

He welcomed their delegations along with the president from Guinea who were attending "even as these countries are focused on a difficult situation back home." He said his thoughts and prayers were with those affected by the outbreak.
"The United States and our international partners will continue to do whatever we can to help our African partners respond to this crisis and to stand with the people of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. In their histories they've overcome great challenges, and they are drawing on that same spirit of strength and resilience today," he said.

Obama said he believes that a new Africa is emerging. "With some of the world's fastest-growing economies, a growing middle class, and the youngest and fastest-growing population on Earth, Africa will help shape the world as never before," said the US President.