11th Sahel-Saharan Summit Opens in Libya—Economic and Political Issues Top Agenda
Saturday, 30th May 2009
Sabratha, Libya - The 11th Ordinary Session of the Conference of Leaders and Heads of State of Sahel-Saharan States opened Friday, May 29, 2009, in the Libyan coastal town of Tellile in Sabratha, with leaders discussing a wide range of issues including security, the global economic crisis and the political situation in a number of African countries.
In opening remarks, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf spoke of the need for partnerships to enhance economic growth in Africa. The President expressed impatience that not much has been achieved on deriving a common African approach on the political and economic situations affecting the continent.
An Executive Mansion dispatch from Sabratha quotes the President as saying she was weary of speeches and meetings, which are not impacting integration. "Another meeting? More talk? When are we going to get together?," the Liberian leader wondered. President Johnson Sirleaf observed that the prevailing global economic downtown has exposed the vunerability of smaller nations in dealing with the crisis. "It is time to either stop talking and move this process forward or do otherwise," the Liberian leader asserted, adding, "Liberia is ready to move forward."
Also addressing the opening session, the outgoing chairman of the 10th Ordinary Session of CENSAD, Benin's President Boni Yayi, called for renewed efforts to face the new challenges confronting Africa. President Yayi stressed food security which, he said, requires strong solidarity among African countries. Other speakers at the opening session included the President of the Comoros, and Lybian President Muammar al-Gaddafi.
In his speech, Colonel Gaddafi reiterated his call for a United States of Africa. He said the political and economic problems confronting Africa can better be resolved when the continent is united politically. The Libyan leader frowned on the continued conflict in parts of the continent, noting that development cannot be achieved when Africa is in crisis. "Before, we were fighting colonialism; how come we are now fighting ourselves," the Libyan leader wondered. Col. Gaddafi criticized African organizations for doing little to solve long running conflits in a number of African countries, including Somalia, Sudan, Chad, the Great Lakes region and other troubled spots. The Community of Sahel-Saharan States, the Libyan leader said, must agree on one position to be presented at the next African Union Summit - to transform the African Union into an authority.
Colonel Gaddafi spoke of plans to establish what he referred to as the 'Rural Bank," to provide small loans to small business men and women to help them develop their potential. "Only CENSAD member countries, present at these discussions will benefit," the Libyan leader noted." The remark is seen as the Libyan leader's displeasure over the absence of some heads of state of member countries of CENSAD from this year's Summit.
The Libyan leader has, meanwhile, held discussions with Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on ways of strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
In opening remarks, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf spoke of the need for partnerships to enhance economic growth in Africa. The President expressed impatience that not much has been achieved on deriving a common African approach on the political and economic situations affecting the continent.
An Executive Mansion dispatch from Sabratha quotes the President as saying she was weary of speeches and meetings, which are not impacting integration. "Another meeting? More talk? When are we going to get together?," the Liberian leader wondered. President Johnson Sirleaf observed that the prevailing global economic downtown has exposed the vunerability of smaller nations in dealing with the crisis. "It is time to either stop talking and move this process forward or do otherwise," the Liberian leader asserted, adding, "Liberia is ready to move forward."
Also addressing the opening session, the outgoing chairman of the 10th Ordinary Session of CENSAD, Benin's President Boni Yayi, called for renewed efforts to face the new challenges confronting Africa. President Yayi stressed food security which, he said, requires strong solidarity among African countries. Other speakers at the opening session included the President of the Comoros, and Lybian President Muammar al-Gaddafi.
In his speech, Colonel Gaddafi reiterated his call for a United States of Africa. He said the political and economic problems confronting Africa can better be resolved when the continent is united politically. The Libyan leader frowned on the continued conflict in parts of the continent, noting that development cannot be achieved when Africa is in crisis. "Before, we were fighting colonialism; how come we are now fighting ourselves," the Libyan leader wondered. Col. Gaddafi criticized African organizations for doing little to solve long running conflits in a number of African countries, including Somalia, Sudan, Chad, the Great Lakes region and other troubled spots. The Community of Sahel-Saharan States, the Libyan leader said, must agree on one position to be presented at the next African Union Summit - to transform the African Union into an authority.
Colonel Gaddafi spoke of plans to establish what he referred to as the 'Rural Bank," to provide small loans to small business men and women to help them develop their potential. "Only CENSAD member countries, present at these discussions will benefit," the Libyan leader noted." The remark is seen as the Libyan leader's displeasure over the absence of some heads of state of member countries of CENSAD from this year's Summit.
The Libyan leader has, meanwhile, held discussions with Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on ways of strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
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