Abuja�s refusal to host the controversial America military command for Africa known as AFRICOM may have cost the country a visit by President George Bush. The administration said Nigeria is no longer on the itinerary of the American leader as he begins his much anticipated trip to the continent from February 15-21. Officials said Bush will visit Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and Liberia. Top administration officials said the trip “will be an opportunity for the president to review firsthand the significant progress since his last visit in 2003 in efforts to increase economic development and fight HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other treatable diseases, as a result of the United States robust programmes in these areas.” The White House said Bush will meet “Presidents Yayi Boni, Jekaya Kikwete, Paul Kagame, John Kufuor, and Johnson-Sirleaf to discuss how the United States can continue to partner with African countries to support continued democratic reform, respect for human rights, free trade, open investment regimes, and economic opportunity across the continent.” The State Department said Bush�s inability to visit Nigeria is not an indication of his displeasure at the country�s position on AFRICOM. “The president is obviously disappointed at Nigeria�s decision not to host our forces but may visit Nigeria which remains an important ally in several areas before he leaves office,” a senior official said. But administration sources disclosed that the decision to remove Nigeria from Bush�s trip followed unfruitful discussions on the issue with President Umaru Yar’Adua during his recent visit to the White House. “Despite a pledge to revisit the issue, the Nigerian leader has been unable to allow AFRICOM set up base in the country. The U.S. president leaves office next year and this will be his last trip to the continent and this is a clear sign of the administration disappointment at Abuja,” officials stated. Bush will make a final decision on where to base AFRICOM after his trip. Only Liberia has approved the use of the country as a base for the U.S. forces.
Jan262008