By Chris Maina
Unreported in most African media was the ugly scenes of thousands of African protesters who slammed President Barack Obama of inviting to America and White House – Free World’s headquarter of democracy – a group of African leaders they called ‘killers’ and ‘torturers’.
The protesters, many from Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and the two sudans riled at President Obama for condoning dictatorship across Africa while claiming to care about the interests of the peoples of the African continent.
They blasted the US President of hypocrisy, saying inviting some of the African leaders to dine with him was endorsing gross human rights violations happening under their watch, and, in many instances, perpetration.
The protesters, led by Ethiopian civil rights activist Obang Metho told Obama to stop  enhancing economic ties with repressive governments. “Stop financing dictators,†the crowd chanted. “President Obama, shame on you”.
“Africa doesn’t need strongmen. It needs strong institutions,†Mr. Obama said in 2009.
“Now he is sitting with strongmen,†Mr. Metho said. “Where are the strong institutions?
Chris Maina studies law at Georgetown University, Washington DC.