At least three American presidents will travel to South Africa to attend the memorial services of anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, who died on Thursday at the age of 95.
The White House had said yesterday that President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama would travel to South Africa next week to pay their respects.
They will be joined on Air Force One by former President George W. Bush and wife Laura Bush, who “gratefully accepted” the invitation from the Obamas, a Bush spokesman said.
The White House said travel arrangements were still being made and it was unclear when the Obamas and Bushes would depart. A memorial service for Mandela will be held on Tuesday at a stadium in Johannesburg, followed by a smaller funeral on December 15 in Mandela’s hometown.
Former President Bill Clinton said he also planned to travel to South Africa, along with his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. It was unclear whether the Clintons would also fly on Air Force One. .
“My whole family will be there,” Clinton said in an interview with CNN. “And we’re looking forward to having the chance to say good-bye one last time.”
Obama also invited 89-year-old former President George H.W. Bush to travel with him to South Africa, but a spokesman for Bush said that he would not be able to make the trip.
Mandela’s death has sparked an outpouring of memorials and celebrations of the former prisoner-turned-president who led his country out of apartheid rule.
In his remarks, Obama counted himself as one of the countless millions inspired by the South African leader.
“Like so many around the globe, I cannot fully imagine my own life without the example that Nelson Mandela set,” Obama had said on Thursday.
For Obama and Bush, the trip to South Africa will mark the second time they have been on the continent together this year.
The two men were in Tanzania at the same time this summer, though on separately planned trips. They held a brief event together to honour the victims of the 1998 US Embassy bombing in Dar es Salaam. Both Mrs Obama and Mrs Bush also attended an African first ladies summit during the trip.