WASHINGTON — (CNN) President Barack Obama said Tuesday that he would win a third term in office if he ran again, but is barred by the Constitution.

“I think if I ran again I could win. But I can’t!” Obama said.

Obama’s quip came during a speech to the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the first address to the group by a U.S. president.

Throughout his comments he promoted democratic rule.

The loudest applause line came when Obama said he didn’t understand the motivation behind remaining in power through force — even when leaders have “got a lot of money.”

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