奥巴马前往南非

U.S. President Barack Obama is on his way to South Africa, continuing a three-nation African tour aimed at expanding U.S. engagement on the continent.

Mr. Obama departed Senegal Friday, after a two-day visit where he met with President Macky Sall and promoted democracy and rule of law.  The president also made an emotional visit to Goree Island, a symbol of the 18th century slave trade.

It is not clear whether the South African leg of Mr. Obama\'s trip will include a visit with anti-apartheid legend Nelson Mandela, who is critically ill in a Pretoria hospital.  White House officials said Thursday any such visit would be up to the Mandela family.

On Saturday, President Obama plans to visit Robben Island, the prison where Mr. Mandela spent much of his 27 years behind bars.

President Obama paid tribute to the ailing former South African leader Thursday, calling him a "hero for the world."

奥巴马总统星期五离开塞内加尔，结束了对这个国家为期两天的访问。他在那里会晤了塞内加尔总统萨勒，提出倡导民主和法治的理念。奥巴马总统还参观了戈雷岛，该岛是18世纪奴隶贩运的象征地。

目前还不清楚奥巴马在访问南非期间是否将探视反种族隔离传奇人物曼德拉。曼德拉住在比勒陀利亚一家医院，病情危重。白宫官员星期四说，奥巴马是否前往探视将取决于曼德拉的家人。

星期六，奥巴马总统计划访问罗本岛，曼德拉曾在那里度过27年的监狱铁窗生涯。

奥巴马总统星期四向病情垂危的前南非领导人曼德拉表达敬意，称他为“全世界的英雄”。