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Photo Break |
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And…Action! |
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The four-day long 12th Ordinary Session of the AU
Heads of State and Government has brought a mix of
almost all that is African to Addis Abeba. From the
modern brand leaders of more than half of the AU
member states, to traditional leaders, smaller in
number, to controversial personalities like Mu'ammar
al-Gaddafi of Libya, to the new comer to the scene,
Sheikh Sharif Ahmed of Somalia. Here are some of
them caught in action.
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Charles Rabemananjara (Above Left), prime minister
of Madagascar, led his country's delegation to the
AU summit in place of Marc Ravalomanana, the
president of the country. The President seems to
have chosen to stay home so that the situation in
the capital, Antananarivo, would not deteriorate.
At least 68 people have so far been killed in
clashes between supporters of the President and
those of the Mayor of the capital, Andry Rajoelina,
in a power struggle that has overshadowed the AU
summit.
The Mayor led protests in the capital city last
month, during which demonstrators accused the
president of running a dictatorship. In January,
Rajoelina proclaimed himself head of the Indian
Ocean island, laying out plans to call for
Ravalomanana's resignation.
But now, the Premier told journalists last
Wednesday, February 3, 2009, on behalf of his
President, that the situation would be handled
lawfully, because whatever the case is, everyone is
under the rule of law.
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Moderate Islamist leader Sheikh Sharif Ahmed
(right) joined the 12th Ordinary Session of
the African Union Summit right after being
elected as Somalia's new President in
Djibouti, where Somali MPs met over the
weekend due to instability in their country
where Islamist militias are gaining control.
He was sworn in to the post later on
Saturday, January 31, 2009, before
representing Somalia at the summit in Addis
Abeba, from February 1, 2009, to February 4,
2009. Not only did the new leader of Somalia
join the meeting but also gave a press
conference, on Wednesday, February 3, 2009,
in which he gave reassurances that the
situation in his country would soon be under
control.
With his delegation, including Nur Hassan
Hussein (left), prime minister, Sharif told
journalists that he sure can make a change
and that he is willing to work with all who
will stand by his side to support him to
bring peace and stability to the state that
has been functioning without a central
government since 1991.
As a result, the northern regions of
Somaliland and Puntland have broken away to
administer themselves.
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The new elect to both the African Union
Chairmanship and the King of Africa's
traditional kings, sheiks and princes, the
67-year old Libyan leader, Colonel Mu'ammar
al-Gaddafi (right) was still around Addis a
few days after the AU summit ended.
While he was visiting the AU head office on
Roosevelt Street, late in the morning on
February 6, 2009, Gaddafi again addressed
journalists. He discussed the security
threats causing humanitarian problems in the
continent, while at the same time responding
to questions of his leadership model, which
some say is autocratic.
As just elected Chairperson of the AU for
the next one year, Mu'ammar al-Gaddafi has
been an issue of discussion in various
corners. Alleging that the process of his
coming to power as well as his ruling system
is not of a democratic type, most wonder how
he would handle continental issues, which
include issues of some states whose leaders
come to power through coups d'état.
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Around 20 in number, representing the group of
traditional Kings, Sheiks and Princes from
different parts of Africa, were in Addis Abeba last
week to make sure that their voices were heard at
the AU summit where the Heads of States mainly
discussed security, establishment of the Union
government of Africa and the impact of the global
financial crisis on the continent.
Crowned as the 'King of traditional Kings of
Africa', Colonel Mu'ammar al-Gaddafi, leader of the
Great Libyan Socialist Arab Jamahiriya, granted them
the opportunity to have seats in the Summit.
Without having said much in the Summit, the
traditional leaders through their secretary general,
Tuffiziz Jean Gervais (right) expressed their
delight to journalists on Wednesday, February 3,
2009. The traditional leaders said they have great
respect for their newly elected King, who has
considered the important roles they can play to
reach the wider public.
The leaders, who sought the attention of the summit,
have had chances to sit and listen and take part in
discussions held during the four-day meeting, with
one more day added due to the elongated talks on the
financial crisis and union government formation. |
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