Free Republic

...the trip is already provoking disappointment from Africa advocates who argue that President Obama, whose father was Kenyan, hasn't devoted enough time to the continent since winning the presidency. Mwiza Munthali, public outreach director of TransAfrica Forum, argues that U.S. officials "are not seeing Africa as a big priority. There has been some ambivalence." The president has made just one trip to sub-Saharan Africa since his Jan. 2009 inauguration and has chosen not to accompany his wife on her journey. This isn't the first time the First Lady has come under fire for travel plans. Below we review some of...

In the coming days, First Lady Michelle Obama will be traveling to South Africa and Botswana to meet with young people from across Africa, including the Young African Women Leaders Forum. In a video message, Mrs. Obama invites young people at home, in Africa, and around the world to follow the trip and join the conversation: You can join the conversation on facebook and by using the hashtag #YoungAfrica on Twitter. Check WhiteHouse.gov/YoungAfrica for updates from the trip, videos of young leaders, and much more in the days and weeks to come.