Gaddaffi Pushes African Unity in Freetown
In a fiery speech before a small, but boisterous crowd of supporters at the National Stadium, the colourful African leader said the continent is currently at a crossroads.
"The African people need unity for the African continent," he said. "It is to be or not to be." Qhadafi, currently on a road trip through West Africa, was dressed in a white suit with flowing scarves, rainbow-tinted sunglasses and a bright green decal in the shape of Africa.
He sat beside President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah and was greeted by cheers from the crowd, which had waited several hours for his arrival.
Qhadafi was introduced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Alhaji Momodu Koroma, who called the visit "a great day for Sierra Leone." Koroma said "This is evident by the people of Sierra Leone, who appreciate Qhadafi for three reasons, one for his friendship, his leadership in Africa and his fight for the liberation of others in the world and also not only for Islam, but his effort to unite the African continent."
Qhadafi was addressed by President Kabbah, who lauded the controversial leader for his many contributions to Africa and Sierra Leone and referred to their past as a 'brotherly relationship.' "You are well known for trying to solve the problems of Africa," he said, before reciting a string of donations he said Qhadafi had made to Sierra Leone over the years.
Kabbah said Qhadafi had donated US$1 million when the country was bankrupt, as well as two shiploads of rice, tractors, trucks and other important supplies.
In 2004, the Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission found that the Libyan leader played a large role in destabilizing the country during the 11-year civil war. Former Revolutionary United Front leaders received both funding and logistical support from Libya and many were trained in the country.
Yesterday, Qhadafi said it is time for Africans to move together to catch up to other parts of the world and work to achieve a continental union. He said Muslims and Christians should unite and urged African leaders to listen to the voices of women and youths.
"From now on, African destiny will not be decided by a small number of African rulers," he said, noting that the African people are becoming aware and enlightened.
"We don't want to beg again at the doors of Europe, we don't want to be slaves again, we want to be free.
"How come you leave Africa?" he shouted, admonishing Africans who immigrated to other parts of the world.
"Who is your mother, Africa or Europe? You stay with your mother who gives you milk. Either you live or die in Africa." Qhadafi is spending three days in Sierra Leone on his way to the African Union Summit next month in Accra, Ghana.
"The African people need unity for the African continent," he said. "It is to be or not to be." Qhadafi, currently on a road trip through West Africa, was dressed in a white suit with flowing scarves, rainbow-tinted sunglasses and a bright green decal in the shape of Africa.
He sat beside President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah and was greeted by cheers from the crowd, which had waited several hours for his arrival.
Qhadafi was introduced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Alhaji Momodu Koroma, who called the visit "a great day for Sierra Leone." Koroma said "This is evident by the people of Sierra Leone, who appreciate Qhadafi for three reasons, one for his friendship, his leadership in Africa and his fight for the liberation of others in the world and also not only for Islam, but his effort to unite the African continent."
Qhadafi was addressed by President Kabbah, who lauded the controversial leader for his many contributions to Africa and Sierra Leone and referred to their past as a 'brotherly relationship.' "You are well known for trying to solve the problems of Africa," he said, before reciting a string of donations he said Qhadafi had made to Sierra Leone over the years.
Kabbah said Qhadafi had donated US$1 million when the country was bankrupt, as well as two shiploads of rice, tractors, trucks and other important supplies.
In 2004, the Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission found that the Libyan leader played a large role in destabilizing the country during the 11-year civil war. Former Revolutionary United Front leaders received both funding and logistical support from Libya and many were trained in the country.
Yesterday, Qhadafi said it is time for Africans to move together to catch up to other parts of the world and work to achieve a continental union. He said Muslims and Christians should unite and urged African leaders to listen to the voices of women and youths.
"From now on, African destiny will not be decided by a small number of African rulers," he said, noting that the African people are becoming aware and enlightened.
"We don't want to beg again at the doors of Europe, we don't want to be slaves again, we want to be free.
"How come you leave Africa?" he shouted, admonishing Africans who immigrated to other parts of the world.
"Who is your mother, Africa or Europe? You stay with your mother who gives you milk. Either you live or die in Africa." Qhadafi is spending three days in Sierra Leone on his way to the African Union Summit next month in Accra, Ghana.
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