Davos meeting blighted by Trump's remarks against African nations
Davos (Switzerland), Jan 25 (IBNS): US President Donald Trump's alleged remarks about African countries as "shithole nations" during an immigration meeting with lawmakers in January had cast a dark shadow on the World Economic Forum in Davos, media reports said.
Trump arrived in Davos on Thursday to attend the World Economic Forum where he is scheduled to meet with Rwanda's President Paul Kagame and other global leaders.
Trump's comments had reportedly resulted in diplomatic uproar among foreign leaders and their citizens.
Rwanda's foreign ministry described these comments as "demeaning and unnecessary" but Trump later, according to reports, denied making these comments.
South Africa, Senegal, Ghana and several others had reportedly summoned top US diplomats in their nations over the remarks.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa are among the attendees but it is not clear if Trump will meet other African leaders at Davos.
In an open letter to Trump, Bonang Mohale, CEO of Business Leadership South Africa, urged others to make a statement during the annual gathering and was reported to state, "Many of us will be boycotting your address to delegates at Davos in protest against your divisive comments and continued failure to unequivocally apologize. We encourage like-minded peers to do the same."
According to official reports, not everyone was outraged by Trump's remarks. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni reportedly said African nations only have themselves to blame for lagging behind.
"I love Trump because he talks to Africans frankly. I don't know if he's misquoted or whatever, but when he speaks I like him because he speaks frankly, " Museveni was reported to state.
(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)
Images: WEF/Boris Baldinger
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