Addis Ababa
05 February 2009
The just completed African Union summit in Addis Ababa was partly a celebration of the continent's achievements, and partly a reminder of how deeply it remains troubled by wars, poverty and flawed leadership.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon address the media during a press conference in Addis Ababa (file photo) |
The opening sessions were all business, presided over by the outgoing chairman, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete in his finely tailored suit. He was the third consecutive AU leader from a country where the government is chosen through elections.
Lukewarm reception for Colonel Gadhafi
The tone changed half way through the second day, when President Kikwete gave way to Libya's ruler. In contrast to the packed hall during the earlier business sessions, the room was half empty, with only a handful of heads of state on hand as Mr. Gadhafi turned the floor over to the tribal kings in native dress he had brought with him.
Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi (L), escorted by bodyguard (R), arrives at the AU meeting in Addis Ababa, 01 Feb 2009 |
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Gadhafi sharply criticized racism in the United States, America's role in creating the world financial crisis, the plight of Palestinians in Gaza and the failure of democracy in Africa, which he blamed for the recent rise in military coups.
Speaking in Arabic through an interpreter, Mr. Gadhafi said in his Green Book, a collection of thoughts published in 1988, he had predicted the election of a black president in the United States.
"But the Green Book says after analysis, after all various conditions that black people will prevail over the world, and today Obama, the Kenyan son has imposed himself in the United States of America, defying openly. It was a kind of challenge against this despicable attitude toward the black population, the looting of African wealth and the looting and pillaging of the continent," he said.
Later, in answer to a reporter's question, the Libyan leader railed against multi-party democracy, calling it an imported system that has brought nothing but chaos to Africa.
"Finally there was multi-partyism, but this new method, which is imported, is now faced with many challenges. Unfortunately we have seen coup d'etats and rebellions are showing back their ugly heads. After elections, there are massacres as it happened in Kenya. Also results of elections are made public then followed by rebellion, a president is elected and a revolt follows and a coup d'etat takes place, a rebellion and so on," said the Libyan leader.
AU cautious on continental government
Jean Ping (file photo) |
In the end, this was Mr. Gadhafi's summit, and he insisted he is pushing ahead with his plans. It was left to Africa's chief diplomat, AU Commission Chairman Jean Ping to explain to reporters that, despite what Mr. Gadhafi may say, his dream of a continent-wide government will not be coming true any time soon.