All over Africa, people are hoping that Obama, whose father is from Kenya, will make it to the White House. Experts caution Africans not to be overly optimistic about Obama's connection to the continent, noting that he doesn't have a particularly good record of African adovcacy, but the warnings seem to have had little effect.
In Kenya, pub crawlers have been celebrating Obama's election victories by hoisting Senator beer, a local brew that has been rechristened "Obama beer" in honor of the candidate. Journalists have also been getting in on the action by making the pilgrimage to his family's remote village for interviews. Perhaps most incredibly, rebels with the Movement to Emancipate the Niger Delta began considering a ceasefire after getting a call from Obama. The Nigerian government received an email from the guerillas saying:
The MEND command is seriously considering a temporary ceasefire appeal by Senator Barack Obama. Obama is someone we respect and hold in high esteem.
If the candidate's intervention in the Nigerian conflict is any indication, the experts may be wrong in assuming that, as president, Obama won't take a strong interest in African affairs. Either way, we're still waiting to book our Obama tour package to Kenya.
Related Stories:
· "Obama-mania" Sweeps Africa, but Could He Deliver? [Reuters]
· In Kenya, "Obama beer" Is Suddenly Popular [SF Chronicle]
· Niger Delta Rebels Bomb Shell; Say "Considering" Obama Cease-Fire Appeal [TMV]
· Obama Cheered in Kenya [NPR]
· 2008 Candidates Travel coverage [Jaunted]
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