Despite its worldwide reputation as a champion of democracy and human rights, the United States—at its African Leaders Summit in August 2014—welcomed some of the most brutal dictators of the African continent. The image of the United States is tarnished each time a US President hosts human rights violators at the White House. As President Barack Obama himself stated in Accra, “Africa doesn't need strongmen; it needs strong institutions.”
We the undersigned urge President Obama’s administration to end this practice of inviting African dictators to the United States of America for official events.