Africa
Gaddafi defends Somali pirates
Libya's President Muammar Gaddafi (left) shakes hands with delegates during the opening session of the 12th African Union Summit in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa February 2, 2009. Photo/REUTERS
Posted Thursday, February 5 2009 at 19:35
In Summary
AU chairman says groups are fighting against greedy and capitalist West
Col Gaddafi has refused any invitation from Italy for official visit for the past 40 years as part of his protest and claim.
During my term in AU, I will initiate an organised compensation claim for Africa and I will fight for a greater voice for Africa in the United Nations Security Council.
“If they (Western nations) do not want to live with us fairly, it is our planet and they can go to other planet,” Gaddafi added.
Earlier Col Gaddafi asked for the support and ‘wisdom’ of Tanzanian president Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, his predecessor, on how to handle the 53-member group’s day-to- day affairs.
Col Gaddafi, who was elected on Monday as a chairman of AU for the next one year, said as the group’s 12th summit ended: “I need the support of my son Kikwete from his wide experience on how to handle AU issues.’’
President Kikwete, who retired from the chairmanship of the AU on Monday, headed the group at one of the most turbulent times during which he played a key role in mediating an end to the post-election violence in Kenya and the election dispute in Zimbabwe.
Had been picked
At the same time, Colonel Gaddafi said he would also seek the advice of former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo on how to deal with the continent’s matters. Col Gaddafi said that Obasanjo was in Addis to meet him.
Earlier, AU chairman Jean Ping said former South African president Thabo Mbeki had been picked by the AU to coordinate its legal matters like the threatened ICC indictment against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.
At the press conference, Mr Ping was asked by journalists about his impression about the capability of Col Gaddafi, who took power through a coup close to 40 years ago, to lead a continent where coups are rampant.
Mr Ping said Col Gaddafi was “Elected democratically representing North Africa and it’s a decision of the assembly” .
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Sea Blue, if you have been reading the Nation frequently (which is Kenyan Media, not Western), the Somalis themselves have admitted to piracy and its good fortunes. Are you saying that piracy in Somali waters by Somalis does not exist? You want a united Africa? Why doesn't Gadaffi start by uniting Somalia first before uniting the rest of Africa? Read Gadaffi's history, and his lenghty stay in power reeks of 'non-democracy'. He is a populist leader, pure and simple!
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African can not ask to be compensated by their former colonialists when we know that our African leaders have also colonized their fellow Africans. Look for example what is hapening in Zibambwe.Some of our greedy leaders have rocked our economies and taken our resources to build palaces in these countries that gadddafi is telling african countries to claim compensation.
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STOP STOP blaming Africa for it's current problems. The root of Africa's problems began with a seed sowed by the whites specifically the british, and continues today through neocolonialism that capitalism. Though Gadaffi may not be perfect he has a point. Africa does not need aid or loans with 300% interest rates, Africa needs compensation.
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