U.S. President Barack Obama Visits Ghana and Calls for Good Governance in Africa

On 11 July, U.S. President Barack Obama urged Africans to take charge of their own destiny and said the ongoing struggle for democratic and accountable rule would be more significant in building the continent's future as the liberation struggles of times past.

In his speech at the Parliament, President Obama stressed the need for responsible leadership in Africa and for active popular involvement in building strong institutions and holding leaders to account.

President Obama said that the United States would not seek to impose solutions on Africa, and stressed that "development depends upon good governance. That is the ingredient which has been missing in far too many places, for far too long. That is the change that can unlock Africa's potential. And that is a responsibility that can only be met by Africans."

United States, United Nations among others, Call for Restoration of Honduras President Manuel Zelaya

The United States, Venezuela, the Organisation of American States (OAS), and the United Nations General Assembly, among others are calling for the restoration of Hondura's President Manuel Zelaya, overthrown in a military coup on June 28, 2009. The legislature voted almost unanimously to install the head of Congress, Roberto Micheletti, a Liberal rival of Mr. Zelaya, as his successor. Congress however, has no constitutional power to remove the president. No country in the Americas has recognised Mr. Micheletti and all Latin American countries and Spain have withdrawn their ambassadors pending Mr. Zelaya’s reinstatement. The World Bank has suspended aid. On 5th July, Mr Zelaya tried to return to Honduras and failed. His future now depends on an attempt at mediation by President Óscar Arias of Costa Rica. Mr. Zelaya met with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He is scheduled to meet Mr Micheletti in Costa Rica on 9th July. However, neither side appeared to leave any room for an eventual compromise.

JAPAN: Prime Minister Taro Aso faces a crucial test in a Tokyo municipal election on 12 July, as the ruling party risks losing power after governing for virtually all the past 50 years.

ISRAEL: The national security advisor, in an interview, said that Israel will not withdraw from the whole of the Golan Heights even as part of a peace deal with Syria.

G-8 SUMMIT: On 10 July, the Group of Eight summit of rich countries in L’Aquila, Italy pledged to commit $20bn over three years for a “food security initiative” to develop agriculture in poor countries. “There is an urgent need for decisive action to free humankind from hunger and poverty,” said a joint statement of 40 heads of government and international organisations, including the G8.