By Xinhua
Addis Ababa : Libyan leader Muammar Ghadaffi has urged all the members of the African Union (AU) to ratify a continental common defence pact, in order to create a “machinery” that could quickly respond to regional crisis.
The remarks were made at the closing ceremony of the 10th AU Summit Saturday. He said though the AU has a constitutive act which says the union has the right to interfere in other countries’ affairs in difficult situations, such as wars, social problems and violations of human rights, the 53-member pan-African body does not have a “machinery” to interfere.
He urged the AU to put in place a defence minister and a machinery at the continental level, which could “respond very quickly” to conflicts in Africa.
“There is a pact on non-aggression and common defence in Africa, but this pact has not been ratified by all member states,” said Ghadaffi, calling upon the new AU Commission Chairman Jean Ping to urge AU member states to ratify and implement the pact.
“I hope this will be performed at the next summit in Egypt,” said Ghadaffi. On African unity, which he has been publicising for years, Ghadaffi said Africa has gone through the phase of liberation, and it is now at the phase of unity, and is heading for the phase of development.
“We have will and perseverance in achieving the Federal Government and the United States of Africa, so that Africa will be like Europe, America, China, and all the great countries of the world,” he said.
During the occasion, Ghadaffi also sought “support and encouragement” from the AU members for Jean Ping, saying that Ping is “a brilliant diplomat among Africa’s sons”.
Ghadaffi also lavished praises on Ping’s predecessor, former Malian president Alpha Oumar Konare, saying that Konare “has prominent personality and is greatly respected on the international arena. He led the commission in difficult circumstances and promoted a greater African Union.”
“His name will indeed be engraved on the tracks of the history of this organisation,” said Ghadaffi.