By The Kansas City Star Editorial Board

It took just a moment for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to successfully grab the attention of Africans, speaking in a voice that many could find respectful and galvanizing even as she broached old complaints about corruption, bad governance and human rights violations.

In Nigeria, her third-to-last stop on an 11-day tour that ended Friday, Clinton acknowledged that democracy was still evolving even in the United States, citing the George W. Bush-Al Gore election controversy from 2000. The reference to less-than-perfect events back home acknowledged to Africa’s leaders that democracy is a work in progress in every corner of the world.

Democracy isn’t easy, so problems are to be expected.

Africa’s leaders, even the less autocratic ones, sneer at patronizing foreigners. They have often used this perceived arrogance to divert attention from legitimate issues outsiders raise.

Clinton’s straight talk denies Africa’s corrupt governments that opportunity. It also addresses critics’ doubts about whether her strong personality could fit in the highly subtle world of diplomacy. Her Africa tour ends as a diplomatic coup.

As Clinton said in a major speech in Kenya, the U.S. is now seeking Africa as a partner instead of patron. Clinton seemed to read the minds of Africans who, correctly or not, believe that U.S. transactions with Africa are often disrespectful. Her candor disarmed them.