World Leaders Gather for Nelson Mandela’s Memorial Service
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UN Photo/John Isaac(JOHANNESBURG) — President Obama will be among the throngs of foreign leaders and dignitaries attending the memorial service Tuesday for the late Nelson Mandela at the 95,000-capacity FNB Stadium in Soweto, South Africa.
Obama will be joined by former Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter as well as a 23-member congressional delegation that includes Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, who has taken a great deal of heat from some constituents for his impassioned praise of Mandela.
Other leaders confirmed to attend the event include British Prime Minister David Cameron, Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Cuban President Raul Castro, who will speak at the service along with Obama, Chinese President Vice President Li Yuanchao and others.
The keynote address will be delivered by South African President Jacob Zuma.
Sources tell ABC News that no specific, credible threats have been identified in connection with the service. The Secret Service is working closely with South African authorities, which have the overall responsibility for securing the event.
While normal presidential visits are months in the making, security arrangements for Obama’s trip to Soweto have been underway since Mandela was first hospitalized last June in critical condition.
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