A rainbow has appeared in Ethiopia ahead of a visit from US President Barack Obama – who is expected to raise the country’s anti-gay law with leaders.

During an interview with the BBC’s John Sopel prior to his visit Africa, President Obama said hewould be “very blunt” about the need for equality in the country.

He did not disappoint during his visit to Kenya – publicly challenging Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta over state discrimination against gay people.

As the US leader now heads to Ethiopia – where gay people can face up to 15 years in prison – the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu, spotted an omen in the sky.

He wrote: “President Barack Obama just landed in ‪#‎AddisAbaba‬ ‪#‎Ethiopia‬ for his three days official visit. Stunning ‪#‎Rainbow‬ on the skies of Addis as he landed.”

However, commenters from the country were not so happy about what the rainbow heralded.

One user wrote: “This rainbow is sign of God’s protection from every evil activities like obama’s government allow homosexual not sign of well come. So be careful mr obama to your agendas and activities for this 2 days cuz this is Ethiopia not American or Kenya.”

Another added: “Ethiopia welcomes you mr Obama, but pleas keep your evil homosexual agenda in Air Force One before u step on the holy land. Thanks.”

Others said: “Rainbow is a symbol of Obama’s gay agenda! Someone please tell Obama to leave his 666 agenda.”

It’s not the first time the President’s arrival in the country has been upstaged by a rainbow.

A White House photographer snapped a picture of the leader arriving in Jamaica under a rainbow earlier this year.