Counter-terrorism is expected to be a focus of talks in Nairobi and in Addis Ababa where Barack Obama this weekend will be the first sitting American president to visit Ethiopia and African Union headquarters.
On the eve of his visit, the State Department in recent days renewed its warning of possible terrorist attacks in Kenya. Its travel alert cites numerous attacks by the al-Qaida affiliated group, al-Shabab, including the April assault on Garissa University College in eastern Kenya that killed 148 people, mostly students.
President Obama said earlier this month that he hopes to deliver a message the United States is a strong partner for Kenya and Sub-Saharan Africa in the fight against extremism.
“Build on the progress that’s been made around issues of health and education; focus on counterterrorism issues that are important in East Africa because of al-Shabab and some of the tragedies that have happened inside of Kenya; and continue to encourage democracy and the reduction of corruption inside that country that sometimes has held back this incredibly gifted and blessed country,” Obama said.