Obama says al-Shabab must be stopped

Obama, who’s been deploying a freer, less restrained approach in the self proclaimed “fourth quarter” of his presidency, had largely focused his political attention this year on Congress and stayed away from the 2016 fray – until now.

Ethiopia is a close ally of the US in fighting militant Islamists.

While the United States does not have boots on the ground, it carries out frequent drone strikes against Shebab leaders.

Obama and Ethiopia’s prime minister are holding a bilateral meeting, followed by a joint news conference.

“We are strongly committed to partnering with African countries to increase their capacity to address the immediate threats posed by terrorist organizations”, the White House said in a statement on Monday.

Rights groups have warned that Obama’s visit could add credibility to a government they accuse of suppressing democratic rights – including the jailing of journalists and critics – with anti-terrorism legislation said to be used to stifle peaceful dissent.

Praising McCain’s heroism, Obama said the Republican Party was shocked at Trump’s remark, but added that it grew out of a culture where those types of comments are tolerated. “Part of what historically has made America great is particularly when it comes to foreign policy, there’s been a recognition that these issues are too serious, that issues of war and peace are of such grave concern, of such outcome, that we don’t play fast and loose that way”.

Hailemariam, however, pushed back against criticism his government has quashed opposition voices and suppressed press freedom. Ethiopian officials say their release had nothing to do with Obama’s visit, but Simegnish and many of her peers suspect otherwise.

The Ethiopian premier also said an independent press – now virtually non-existant – was needed. “Media is one of the institutions that have to be nurtured for democracy”, Hailemariam said. Ethiopia is the world’s second-worst jailer of journalists in Africa, after Eritrea, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. ‘So we can’t undo this for them.

Mr Obama arrived in Ethiopia late on Sunday following a stop in Kenya, the country of his father’s birth.

Senior administration officials say the leaders will discuss what to do next if South Sudan’s president and opposition leader do not sign an African proposal for winding down the war.

Options under consideration include deepening economic sanctions and perhaps pursuing an arms embargo.

“Now is time for a breakthrough”.

“I am deeply shocked by what I have seen”, Stephen O’Brien, the UN under secretary general for humanitarian affairs, said Saturday after a four-day visit to South Sudan.

South Sudan, midwifed into existence by US cash and support in 2011, has faltered badly in its infancy and the Obama administration has been accused of abandoning the fragile nation.

South Sudan was thrown into conflict in December 2013 by a clash between forces loyal to former Vice President Riek Machar, an ethnic Nuer, and President Salva Kiir, a Dinka. He is the first serving US President to visit Ethiopia.