Getty
南アフリカを訪問中のオバマ米大統領は30日、大統領が「英雄」と呼ぶマンデラ元大統領が政治犯として収監された刑務所跡のある南西部ケープタウン沖の「監獄島」、ロベン島を訪れた。時事通信が伝えた。
大統領は元収監者の案内で所内を回り、マンデラ氏が収監された監房も見学した後、「足かせも監房も、人の精神力には対抗し得ないと気付かせてくれたロベン島の英雄たちに感謝する」と記帳した。
現在容体が重篤で首都プレトリアの病院に入院中のネルソン・マンデラ元南ア大統領(94)の見舞いには訪れず、マンデラ氏の財団で同氏の家族と面会したと共同通信は伝えている。
一方で、オバマ米大統領の南アフリカ訪問に抗議するデモも起きている。朝日新聞によると、オバマ大統領がイスラエルのパレスチナ占領を擁護し、かつて南アで行われていたアパルトヘイト(人種隔離)政策と同様の組織的な人権侵害を黙認していると批判。デモ参加者たちは「占領された自分の土地を取り戻す戦いは南アでも続いている。パレスチナには強く同情している」「オバマはアフリカに変革をもたらしてくれると思ったのに、過去の米大統領と何も変わらなかった」などと語っている。アフリカにルーツを持つオバマ氏が、米国内外の黒人の格差問題に十分取り組んでいないという不満が背景にあるようだ。
関連記事
オバマ南アフリカ訪問画像集
Obama Gives Speech At University of Cape Town(01 of19)
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 30: U.S. President Barack Obama delivers a speech at the University of Cape Town on June 30, 2013 in Cape Town, South Africa. This is Obama\'s first official visit to South Africa where bilateral talks with President Jacob Zuma have been held, as well visiting Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years for his fight against apartheid. (Photo by Michelly Rall/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
President Obama Visits South Africa As Part Of His African Tour(02 of19)
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 29: Men await the departure of U.S. President Barack Obama outside Johannesburg University in Soweto where President Obama was meeting with students on June 29, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. This is Obama\'s first official visit to South Africa, and is holding bilaterial meetings with President Jacob Zuma, and also meeting with students in Soweto Township. During his tour the president will also visit Robben Island, where former President Nelson Mandela spent some of his 27 years in prison for fighting against apartheid. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
President Obama Visits South Africa As Part Of His African Tour(03 of19)
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 29: U.S. President Barack Obama answers questions from the audience and from people in Nigeria, Uganda and Kenya via live video link during a \'town hall\' meeting with the young African leaders at the University of Johannesburg in Soweto June 29, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. South Africa is the second leg of Obama\'s three-country tour of the African continent, which includes Senegal and Tanzania. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Demonstrations During President Obama's Visit(04 of19)
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 29: Protesters gather outside Johannesburg University in Soweto in advance of President Obama\'s meeting with students later today on June 29, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. This is Obama\'s first official visit to South Africa, and is holding bilaterial meetings with President Jacob Zuma, and also meeting with students in Soweto Township. During his tour the president will also visit Robben Island, where former President Nelson Mandela spent some of his 27 years in prison for fighting against apartheid. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Demonstrations During President Obama's Visit(05 of19)
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 29: Protesters gather outside Johannesburg University in Soweto in advance of President Obama\'s meeting with students later today on June 29, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. This is Obama\'s first official visit to South Africa, and is holding bilaterial meetings with President Jacob Zuma, and also meeting with students in Soweto Township. During his tour the president will also visit Robben Island, where former President Nelson Mandela spent some of his 27 years in prison for fighting against apartheid. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Demonstrations During President Obama's Visit(06 of19)
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 29: Police disperse protesters gathering outside Johannesburg University in Soweto in advance of President Obama\'smeeting with students later today on June 29, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. This is Obama\'s first official visit to South Africa, and is holding bilaterial meetings with President Jacob Zuma, and also meeting with students in Soweto Township. During his tour the president will also visit Robben Island, where former President Nelson Mandela spent some of his 27 years in prison for fighting against apartheid. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
President Obama Visits South Africa As Part Of His African Tour(07 of19)
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 29: An audience of young African leaders listen to U.S. President Barack Obama as he addresses a \'town hall\' meeting at the University of Johannesburg in Soweto June 29, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. South Africa is the second leg of Obama\'s three-country tour of the African continent, which includes Senegal and Tanzania. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
President Obama Visits South Africa As Part Of His African Tour(08 of19)
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 29: U.S. President Barack Obama takes questions from the audience and from people in Nigeria, Uganda and Kenya via live link during a \'town hall\' meeting with the young African leaders at the University of Johannesburg in Soweto June 29, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. South Africa is the second leg of Obama\'s three-country tour of the African continent, which includes Senegal and Tanzania. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
President Obama Visits South Africa As Part Of His African Tour(09 of19)
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 29: Helicopters follow Marine One as US President Barack Obama and wife Michelle Obama leave the Union Buildings on June 29, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. This is Obama\'s first official visit to South Africa, and is holding bilateral meetings with President Jacob Zuma, and also meeting with students in Soweto Township. During his tour the president will also visit Robben Island, where former President Nelson Mandela spent some of his 27 years in prison for fighting against apartheid. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Demonstrations During President Obama's Visit(10 of19)
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 29: Police disperse protesters gathered outside Johannesburg University in Soweto in advance of President Obama\'smeeting with students later today on June 29, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. This is Obama\'s first official visit to South Africa, and is holding bilaterial meetings with President Jacob Zuma, and also meeting with students in Soweto Township. During his tour the president will also visit Robben Island, where former President Nelson Mandela spent some of his 27 years in prison for fighting against apartheid. (Photo by Christopher FurlongGetty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
SAFRICA-US-OBAMA-DEMO(11 of19)
A protester rallying against President Barack Obama\'s visit to South Africa shouts slogans in Soweto on June 29, 2013. At least three stun grenades were fired as police tried to move the demonstrators away from a university campus where Obama is expected to hold a town hall event later in the day. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Focus Surrounds The Hospital Where Nelson Mandela's Condition Is Said To Be Critical(12 of19)
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 29: Images of Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama are depicted on wall covered with messages and flowers outside the MediClinic Heart hospital on June 29, 2013 in Pretoria. US President Barack Obama met with the former South African leader\'s family to offer prayers as Mandela continues to be treated for a lung infection. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
President Obama Visits South Africa As Part Of His African Tour(13 of19)
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 29: Protesters gather on waste land outside Johannesburg University in Soweto in advance of President Obama\'s meeting with students later today on June 29, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. This is Obama\'s first official visit to South Africa, and is holding bilaterial meetings with President Jacob Zuma, and also meeting with students in Soweto Township. During his tour the president will also visit Robben Island, where former President Nelson Mandela spent some of his 27 years in prison for fighting against apartheid. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
President Obama Visits South Africa As Part Of His African Tour(14 of19)
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 29: Posters depicting a likeness of Barack Obama are held by protesters outside Johannesburg University in Soweto in advance of President Obama\'s meeting with students later today on June 29, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. This is Obama\'s first official visit to South Africa, and is holding bilaterial meetings with President Jacob Zuma, and also meeting with students in Soweto Township. During his tour the president will also visit Robben Island, where former President Nelson Mandela spent some of his 27 years in prison for fighting against apartheid. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
President Obama Visits South Africa As Part Of His African Tour(15 of19)
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 28: U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are greeted by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Mkoana-Mashabne after arriving at Waterkloof Air Force Base June 28, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. This is Obama\'s first official visit to South Africa, where is schedule to hold bilaterial meetings with President Jacob Zuma, host a town hall meeting with students in Soweto Township and visit Robben Island, where former President Nelson Mandela spent some of his 27 years in prison for fighting against apartheid. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
President Obama Visits South Africa As Part Of His African Tour(16 of19)
UNSPECIFIED, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 28: Girls walk past Johannesberg University, Soweto Campus where U.S. President Barack Obama is due to visit during his trip to South Africa on June 28, 2013 in Johannesberg, South Africa. U.S. President Barack Obama is due begin a state tour of South Africa tomorrow. Organized by the Congress of South African Trade Unions, about 800 people marched through Pretoria today to voice their opposition to Obama and U.S. policy in South Africa and around the world. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Prayers Are Said As Nelson Mandela Remains In a Critical Condition(17 of19)
JOHANNESBERG, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 28: A man pulls refuse close to the Johannesberg University, Soweto Campus where US President Barack Obama is due to visit during his trip to South Africa on June 28, 2013 in Johannesberg, South Africa. US President Barack Obama is due begin a state tour of South Africa tomorrow. Organized by the Congress of South African Trade Unions, about 800 people marched through Pretoria today to voice their opposition to Obama and U.S. policy in South Africa and around the world. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
President Obama Visits South Africa As Part Of His African Tour(18 of19)
JOHANNESBERG, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 28: A man sleeps outside Johannesberg University, Soweto Campus where U.S. President Barack Obama is due to visit during his trip to South Africa on June 28, 2013 in Johannesberg, South Africa. U.S. President Barack Obama is due begin a state tour of South Africa tomorrow. Organized by the Congress of South African Trade Unions, about 800 people marched through Pretoria today to voice their opposition to Obama and U.S. policy in South Africa and around the world. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
An Anti Obama March Is Held Ahead Of The President's Visit To South Africa(19 of19)
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 28: Anti-American demonstrators paint signs before marching through the streets to protest against the official visit of U.S. President Barack Obama June 28, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. Organized by the Congress of South African Trade Unions, about 800 people marched through Pretoria to voice their opposition to Obama and U.S. policy in South Africa and around the world. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)