President Barack Obama has addressed the African Union (AU) warning that Africa could not advance if its leaders refused to step down when their terms ended.

Barack Obama also called for an end to the “cancer of corruption”, saying it took money away from development.

He 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.

The address marked the climax of Barack Obama’s five-day trip to Africa.

Barack Obama visited Kenya and Ethiopia, the headquarters of the AU.

He said African leaders should respect their constitutions, and step down when their term ends.

“Nobody should be president for life,” Barack Obama said.

The US president said that democracy existed in name but not in substance when journalists were jailed and activists were threatened.

Corruption was “draining billions of dollars” from Africa, he added.

Barack Obama also said the money could be used to build schools and hospitals.