Obama to become first US leader to address African Union
Obama warns AU leaders in Ethiopia speech
(about 9 hours later)
US President Barack Obama is due to address the African Union in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, on the last day of his trip to East Africa.
US President Barack Obama has warned that Africa could not advance if its leaders refused to step down when their terms ended.
He is the first US leader to deliver a speech at the 54-member body, with security and action against terrorism likely to dominate the agenda.
He also called for an end to the "cancer of corruption", saying it took money away from development .
On Monday, Mr Obama praised Ethiopia as an "outstanding partner" in taking on militant Islamists.
Mr Obama made the comments in the first ever address by a US leader to the 54-member AU at its headquarters in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
He said Ethiopia had weakened al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group in Somalia.
The address marked the climax of Mr Obama's five-day trip to Africa.
The US president was speaking after talks with Ethiopia's PM Hailemariam Desalegn, during the first ever visit by a US president to the East African state.
He visited Kenya and Ethiopia, the headquarters of the AU.
He also called on Mr Hailemariam to improve Ethiopia's record on human rights and good governance.
Mr Obama said African leaders should respect their constitutions, and step down when their term ends.
"I don't bite my tongue too much when it comes to these issues," he said at a joint press conference in the capital, Addis Ababa.
"Nobody should be president for life," he said.
Some rights groups have criticised Mr Obama's visit, warning that it could lend credibility to a government accused of jailing journalists and critics.
Africa Live: Obama at AU
A legal case currently being fought through the US courts alleges that agents of the Ethiopian government eavesdropped on the internet activities of a man in the US state of Maryland.
Mr Obama said that democracy existed in name but not in substance when journalists were jailed and activists were threatened.
The man, born in Ethiopia and now a US citizen, works for a political opposition group outlawed in his home country.
Corruption was "draining billions of dollars" from Africa, he added.
Addressing the media, Mr Obama described the Ethiopian government, which won all parliamentary seats in May's election, as "democratically elected".
The money could be used to build schools and hospitals. Mr Obama said.
Opposition group have said the poll was rigged.
Mr Obama flew to Ethiopia after a two-day visit to Kenya where he had discussed trade and security but also called for greater human rights and warned of the dangers of corruption.
