Barack Obama on July 27 officially begins a two-day visit to Ethiopia, the first-ever trip by a US president to Africa's second-most populous nation and the seat of the African Union.

Obama, who flew into a rainy Addis Ababa late on July 26 after a landmark trip to Kenya, his father's birthplace, is to hold talks with the Ethiopian government, a key strategic ally but much criticised for its record on democracy and human rights.

He will also hold talks with regional leaders on the civil war in South Sudan in an attempt to build African support for decisive action against the war-torn country's leaders if they reject an ultimatum to end the carnage by mid-August.

On July 28 Obama will also become the first US president to address the African Union, the 54-member continental bloc, at its headquarters.

bbabo.Net