Trump says friends going to Africa to ‘get rich’

New York, United States | AFP |  US President Donald Trump hailed Africa’s business potential Wednesday, telling several leaders of African nations he has many friends going there to “get rich.”

At a lunch with the leaders amid the UN General Assembly, Trump mused about the vast continent’s opportunities and challenges.

“Africa has tremendous business potential,” he said. “I have so many friends going to your countries, trying to get rich. I congratulate you. They’re spending a lot of money,” he said.

“For American firms it’s really become a place that they have to go — that they want to go.”

Trump announced that he was dispatching US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley to Africa “to discuss avenues of conflict and resolution and, most importantly, prevention.”

Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, South Africa’s Jacob Zuma and Nigeria’s Muhammadu Buhari were among the leaders at the lunch.

Honored to host a luncheon for African leaders this afternoon. Great discussions on the challenges & opportunities facing our nations today. pic.twitter.com/AbnBJtKCAI

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 20, 2017

After the luncheon, Uganda’ Museveni expressed hope in the United States’ new focus on peace and security in Africa and the world saying this coupled with infrastructure development; trade and investment will put the country in sync with the rest of the world.

“There are four things we emphasized including market access, trade and investment, infrastructure development and peace and security. Once we cooperate in these areas, our relationship will be in sync,” he said.

Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni were earlier hosted to a dinner by the Trumps.

@JanetMuseveni and I thank @realDonaldTrump & Melania for their hospitality when they hosted us plus other presidents to dinner last evening pic.twitter.com/cggaM4mbgA

— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) September 20, 2017

Museveni, UK’s Boris Johnson discuss South Sudan, Burundi

A day earlier, President Yoweri Museveni held candid talks with the United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on the situation in Somalia, South Sudan and Burundi.

Museveni told Boris Johnson that there must be a more serious concerted effort to flush out and stop Al-Shabaab militants from Somalia and called for the strengthening of AMISOM through provision of more equipment and personnel to finish the job.

Uganda was the first country to deploy in Somalia in 2007, under AMISOM. Together with other Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs), they have made significant contribution to peace and stability in Somalia, providing a conducive environment for social and economic development of Somalia. Sporadic attacks by militants however threaten to reverse the peace gains.

On the situation in South Sudan, Museveni said regional leaders are involved in a flurry of activities to reconcile factions in the South Sudan conflict to stop the suffering and stem the flow of refugees to neighbouring countries.

According to the UNHCR, over the past 12 months, an average of 1,800 South Sudanese have been arriving in Uganda every day. In addition to the million there, a million or even more South Sudanese refugees are being hosted by Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Central African Republic.

President Museveni said they are working on efforts to ensure unification in Burundi.

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FULL SPEECH: President Museveni addresses #UNGA https://t.co/9w1BIkR22X #Uganda #NorthKorea #SDGs pic.twitter.com/psJXssfU64

— The Independent (@UGIndependent) September 20, 2017