Obama: Mandela Is a ‘Hero’

While in Senegal for a trip focused on the African country’s move toward democracy, President Obama offered up prayers for Nelson Mandela, who remains in critical condition. Obama called the anti-apartheid leader a personal inspiration and also a “hero for the world.” The president’s trip to Africa has been overshadowed by the sudden decline in Nelson Mandela’s health. Immediately after he arrived Thursday, South African President Jacob Zuma canceled a trip to Mozambique in order to stay nearby his country’s beloved civil rights leader. According to local news reports, over the past 48 hours Mandela’s condition has “gone down,” but granddaughter Ndileka told reporters outside the Pretoria hospital that his condition remains stable.