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In an address delivered Tuesday in honor of the late Nelson Mandela before the 100th anniversary of his birth, Obama criticized populist movements for authoritarianism around the world and pleaded with his audience to preserve democratic freedoms as a key to peace. 19659002] "The politics of fear and resentment have begun to appear, and this kind of politics is moving at a rate that would have seemed unimaginable a few years ago," he told the crowd. about 15,000 people in Johannesburg.
"I'm not an alarmist, I'm just stating the facts: the politics of strong men is suddenly ascending, by which elections and some sham democracy are the form, where those at Power to Seek "
Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.
Obama opened his speech on the "strange and uncertain times" of the world that gave him the opportunity to seek perspective .
"But in the weird and uncertain times we are – and they are weird, and they are uncertain, with the news cycles of each day bringing more head spin and worrisome headlines – I thought maybe there would be useful to I would like you to let me, "he said as he began his speech.
He warned that the press was under attack, that censorship and state control of the media was increasing, and that social media was being used to promote theories of hatred, propaganda and conspiracy
"So, on the anniversary of Madiba, we are at a crossroads," he says using a clan name of affection for Mandela.
He said that there was a choice between two visions of the future of humanity that the world must choose between
"How should we respond? Should we see this wave of hope that we felt with the release of Madiba from prison? Is the Berlin Wall falling? Should we see this hope that we had had as naive and misguided? say what I believe: I believe in the vision of Nelson Mandela, I believe in a vision shared by Gandhi and King, and Abraham Lincoln, I believe in a vision of equality, justice and freedom and multi Democracy based on the pretense that all men are created equal and endowed with certain inalienable rights by our creator, and I believe that a world ruled by such principles is possible and that it can achieve more peace and cooperation in the pursuit of a C & # 39; is what I believe.
Obama's speech, the 16th Annual Nelson Mandela Conference, in one of his most publicized appearances and his first return to Africa since he left office in 2017. [19659002] His lecture, entitled "Renewing Mandela's Legacy and Promoting Active Citizenship in a Changing World", followed the transformation of the world, particularly in terms of race relations and human rights , in the last 100 years. "It is clear that racial discrimination still exists in the United States and South Africa," he said.
Obama's speech followed remarks by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Mandela's widow, Graça Machel, a former freedom fighter and minister of the Mozambican Government
. Mandela and Obama, both describing them as modest men as "symbols of victory over adversity".
"First Afro-American President … Barack Obama stands on the shoulders of the giants. "From the earliest beginnings, they are the representatives of the masses and have reached the pinnacle of power and influence, but they have been able to elevate the rights and ambitions of the people.
Ramaphosa said that South Africans celebrated Obama because he shared leadership qualities similar to those of Mandela and had the same ability to inspire others.
imprisoned for nearly three decades.The racial segregation, He was released in 1990 and quickly set to work to unite the nation with forgiveness and reconciliation, becoming the first black president of South Africa, Obama, who became the first black president. from the United States in 2009, called Mandela a mentor.
