Obama: Egypt should release Al-Jazeera journalists

Mohamed Fahmy, Baher Mohamed and Peter Greste are jailed in Egypt.

AFP

US President Barack Obama called on Wednesday for the release of three Al-Jazeera journalists sentenced to prison in Egypt for allegedly defaming the country.

Speaking at the end of a US-Africa summit, Obama said that the US insists on the right of journalists to practise their trade as a critical element of civil society.

"In the specific issue of the Al-Jazeera journalists, we have been clear both publicly and privately, they should be released," Obama said at a news conference.

Australian journalist Peter Greste, Egyptian-Canadian Mohamed Fadel Fahmy and Egyptian producer Baher Mohamed were convicted in June of aiding the blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood and spreading false news that portrayed Egypt as being in a state of "civil war".

Greste and Fahmy received seven-year terms, while Mohamed was jailed for 10 years, in a case that sparked international outrage.

"The devil guided them to use journalism and direct it toward activities against this nation," the court said in a statement explaining its verdict.

Obama also said the US would step up its support for the African militaries battling Islamic extremists or conducting dangerous peacekeeping missions.

He said boosting Africa’s security would help shore up its economic achievements. Tens of billions of dollars in investments and financial support had already been announced, but Obama said the continent needs to redouble reform efforts to deepen growth and opportunity.

African countries have impressive economic strides but need to slash corruption, improve human rights, especially the rights of women, and strengthen the rule of law, he warned.

“This summit reflects the reality that, even as Africa continues to face great challenges, we’re also seeing the emergence of a new, more prosperous Africa,” Obama told reporters after the talks.

“We agreed that Africa’s growth depends, first and foremost, on continued reforms in Africa by Africans.”

While governance and security were important in the summit, Obama delivered to the 45 heads of state and government that came to Washington some $33bn in new commitments of investment and loans, much of it to targeting the continent’s vastly undersupplied electric power capacity.

The new money for power plants will help deliver power to 60mn African households and businesses, he said.

In addition to that, he said the US collective of non-governmental aid and development groups, InterAction, was promising $4bn in new funds for health care and medicines in Africa.

“Combined with the investments we announced yesterday and the agreements made today, this summit has helped to mobilize some $37bn for Africa’s progress.”