The world reacts...

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This is taken from IOL:

South African leaders congratulated US President elect Barack Obama on his victory on Wednesday, expressing hope that it would place Africa's problems higher on the global agenda.

Obama became the world power's first black president as his Republican rival John McCain conceded defeat in historic elections on Wednesday morning.

President Kgalema Motlanthe sent "warm congratulations" to Obama.

"Your election to this high office of the American people carries with it hope for millions of your country men and women as much as it is for millions of people of particularly of the African descent both in the continent of Africa as well as those in the diaspora," Motlanthe said in a statement.

"We express the hope that poverty and under-development in Africa which remains a challenge for humanity will indeed continue to receive a greater attention of the focus of the new administration," added Motlanthe.

The ruling African National Congress said it expected South Africa to maintain its strong relationship of "mutual respect and cooperation" with the United States.

"The ANC is confident that the Obama administration will work to strengthen ties between the United States and Africa, building on development initiatives already in place, forging a genuine partnership to tackle the challenges facing the continent," said ANC spokesperson Jessie Duarte.

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) said Obama's election signalled "a period of great change in a world that desperately needs it".

"We are proud that seed from the African continent has risen to the highest office in the USA, and that an African will now be residing in the White House.

"We are truly elated by President Obama's election as president, and we hope that this will signal a time during which global challenges of unemployment and poverty will again become part of the world agenda", said Fedusa general secretary Dennis George in a statement. - Sapa



This is taken from UN Dispatch:

The English language Pakistani newspaper The Dawn offers a great round up of world leaders' reactions to Obama's Victory:

'Your brilliant victory rewards a tireless commitment to serve the American people. It also crowns an exceptional campaign whose inspiration and exaltation have proved to the entire world the vitality of American democracy,' French President Nicolas Sarkozy said in a letter to Obama.

'By choosing you, the American people have chosen change, openness and optimism,' Sarkozy added.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown praised Obama's 'energising politics... his progressive values and his vision for the future' as congratulations poured in before the final result was even announced in the race between Obama and Republican John McCain.

China's President Hu Jintao said in a written message: 'In a new historical era, I look forward to... taking our bilateral relationship of constructive cooperation to a new level.'

Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso pledged to work with the new US leader to strengthen relations.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon congratulated Obama on his 'triumph' and invited him to visit the United States' southern neighbour.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said Obama's victory was a landmark for equality.
'Twenty-five years ago Martin Luther King had a dream of an America where men and women would be judged not on the colour of their skin but on the content of their character,' Rudd told reporters. 'Today what America has done is turn that dream into a reality.' Meanwhile, the government of Kenya has declared Wednesday a national holiday.