In a recent interview with Tadias Magazine David H. Shinn, former U.S. “I think this trip by President Obama will go a long way in strengthening the ties between the United States and African countries,” he said. “Whenever a U.S. president visits Africa, it is difficult to visit more than three countries because of the vastness of the continent,” Shinn replied. South Africa, the economic powerhouse in Africa, was selected as the southern African choice. “All three countries have good records on governance and democratization, a consideration which placed these three countries above several other possibilities,” Ambassador Shinn said.