Obama Says He Could Win Third Term In Office
US President Barack Obama has joked he could win a third term in office, as he rebuked African leaders who refuse to step down.
Becoming the first sitting US president to address the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, he said that even if he was not constitutionally barred from standing for re-election he would not want to do so.
"I love my job," he told the assembled heads of state on Tuesday as he capped off a four-day trip to Kenya and Ethiopia.
US President Barack Obama laughs at the hair nets the members of the press have to wear
Obama laughs at hair nets reporters must wear at an Addis Ababa food plant
"But under our constitution, I cannot run again.
"I actually think I'm a pretty good president - I think if I ran, I could win - but I can't!"
Play video "Watch: Obama Boogies With Pop Stars"
Video: Watch: Obama Boogies With Pop Stars
Mr Obama said he's looking forward to leaving the White House security bubble so he can have the freedom to do things like travel to Africa.
He said he knows the US will benefit from the insights of a new president.
"The point is, I don't understand why people want to stay so long," Mr Obama said with a grin.
"Especially when they've got a lot of money."
He compared former South African President Nelson Mandela to George Washington, America's first President.
Play video "Obama: Gender Disparity Is ‘Stupid’"
Video: Obama: Gender Disparity Is ‘Stupid’
Mr Obama noted that both willingly left office and transferred power to their successors.
He singled out Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza, who recently secured a third term amid unrest, though he is constitutionally limited to two.
"When a leader tries to change the rules in the middle of the game just to stay in office," Mr Obama said, "it risks instability and strife, as we've seen in Burundi."
He was applauded as he called for an end to corruption, female genital mutilation and child marriage on the continent.
Mr Obama, whose father was born and died in Kenya, began his speech by saying: "I also stand before you as the son of an African.
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The grave of Barack Obama Senior in Kogelo, western Kenya
The grave of Barack Obama Senior in Kogelo, western Kenya. He left the family when the future president was two years old and died in a car crash in Nairobi in 1982, aged 46
Crowds of Kenyans gather near the Memorial Park on July 25, 2015 in the city centre of Nairobi to watch US President's convoy.
Crowds of Kenyans gather near the Memorial Park in Nairobi to watch the US President's convoy
Maasai community members wave a US flag as they gather near Memorial Park in Nairobi during the US president's visit on July 25, 2015.
There is much excitement across the country for Barack Obama's visit
Kenyan women pose for a photograph in front of a painted artwork depicting President Obama
People pass by a shop selling t-shirts bearing images of the US President i
An Obama banner at Jomo Kenyatta airport in Nairobi
A banner bearing a 'welcome' message to Mr Obama hangs over the airport arrival lounge
The grave of Barack Obama Senior in Kogelo, western Kenya
The grave of Barack Obama Senior in Kogelo, western Kenya. He left the family when the future president was two years old and died in a car crash in Nairobi in 1982, aged 46
Crowds of Kenyans gather near the Memorial Park on July 25, 2015 in the city centre of Nairobi to watch US President's convoy.
Crowds of Kenyans gather near the Memorial Park in Nairobi to watch the US President's convoy
"Africa and its people helped to shape America, and allowed it to become the great nation that it is.
Introducing Mr Obama for his address, the chair of the African Union Commission Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma told the US President: "Although we welcome you as the president of the United States of America, we also claim you as our own."
"Today, there is no America without Africa," she added, citing black contributions to history, literature, music, sciences, arts and sports.
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