Melania boards a military jet alone ahead of Africa tour

Melania Trump has departed for a week-long tour of Africa, her first major international trip without the president by her side.

The first lady smiled and waved at photographers as she prepared to board a military jet at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland just as the sun began to set on Monday evening.

Melania is scheduled to arrive in Accra, Ghana, on Tuesday and will continue her tour with stops in Malawi, Kenya and Egypt.

Melania was all smiles as she set off on the week-long trip – her first major international tour without President Donald Trump by her side – even offering a rare wave to photographers

In a final tweet before her departure, Melania wrote: ‘We are taking off for #Africa! So looking forward to visiting #Ghana #Malawi #Kenya & #Egypt as I take #BeBest international. #FLOTUSinAfrica2018.’

Spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said Monday the tour will be a ‘diplomatic and humanitarian visit’ focused on Melania’s #BeBest campaign for ‘children and their well-being.’

While the focus of the first lady’s visit is child welfare, experts say she may also find herself repairing relationships with African leaders who have been offended by her husband. 

President Trump has made a number of impolite comments about the continent in the past, including having referred to some African countries as ‘s**tholes’.   

He played a different tune last week when promoting Melania’s trip, telling reporters: ‘We both love Africa. Africa is so beautiful, the most beautiful part of the world, in many ways.’

Melania is pictured boarding a military jet at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on Monday