President Joe Biden's long-delayed trip to Africa was overshadowed by his controversial pardon of his son Hunter.

President Joe Biden grinned as he posed for photos with the leader of Angola before departing the country Wednesday, capping off an historic trip that was overshadowed by controversy stemming from Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter and unexpected turmoil from a key US ally.

President Joe Biden on Tuesday used his only presidential trip to Africa to pay tribute to the tragic history of the enslaved person trade, urging the United States and Africa to expand a relationship built on investment and equality without losing sight of a past often marked by cruelty and enslavement.

He told regional leaders Wednesday that “Africa has been left behind for much too long. But not anymore. Africa is the future.”

In his last announced trip abroad as president, Mr. Biden relished touring a U.S.-financed train line in Angola intended to transport goods and critical minerals to port.

Joe Biden pledged lasting U.S. engagement with Africa as he met his Angolan counterpart Joao Lourenco in Luanda on Tuesday, as part of his first and only visit to sub-Saharan Africa as U.S. president.