Typically, former American leaders are assisted by local American embassies when traveling abroad. However, when Barack Obama went to South Africa, he found himself left out in the cold, provided only with basic security services. These claims come via The Citizen, a South African news portal. Usually, embassy staffers will be heavily involved when a former President visits because, out of office or not, it’s a great way to build relationships with the host nation.
The Citizen is citing “well-placed sources,” claiming that the Embassy was ordered to stand down and to not provide Obama with any additional services. Obama visited South Africa earlier this week to honor the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s birth. The now-deceased leader played a vital role in ending segregation in South Africa.
Currently, South Africa has no sitting Ambassador and reports indicate that many staffers have left. In all likelihood, the Embassy wouldn’t have been able to offer much assistance even if it wanted to. Still, the alleged slight by Trump appears to have been meant to send a message.
The cold shoulder might also help to explain some of Obama’s remarks in South Africa. While speaking to the audience at the Mandela commemoration, Obama launched several thinly veiled criticisms on the Trump administration. Most past presidents keep a low profile after leaving office, especially in regard to the current administration.
Before President Trump won the 2016 election, he was often the target of ridicule by President Obama. Infamously, Obama mocked Trump at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner, noting that Trump would never be President. Clearly, Obama got that one wrong.
In fairness, Trump also criticized Obama while he was president, questioning his birth and claiming he was Kenyan. There is no evidence to support this claim and plenty of evidence that Obama was born in Hawaii. Further, his mother was American, which would make him a naturalized and eligible President regardless of where he was born. Only naturalized Americans are ineligible.
