Libya Hosts African Summit
CEN-SAD delegates meet in Sirte to discuss economics and security
Jun 4, 2007
African heads of state from the Community of Sahel-Saharan States met (CEN-SAD) met in Libya at the beginning of June to discuss regional issues. Atop their list of priorities was the conflict in Darfur as well as instability in Somalia. The summit, held on June 2 and 3, was hosted by Libyan president, Muammar Gaddafi, in his hometown of Sirte on the Mediterranean.
Two days prior to the event, the chairman of CEN-SAD, Abdel Rahman Shalgham, praised the organization's achievements in areas of economics, agriculture and health but it was clear that political rivalries would take precedence during the proceedings.
Darfur conflict
A closed-door meeting ended the weekend as the event was extended one hour in order to facilitate discussions between the leaders of Chad, Idriss Déby, and Sudan, Omar al-Bashir. Talks were aimed at "easing tension" between these neighbours who continue to blame each other for supporting rebel groups that seek to overthrow the existing governments.
The leaders urged rebel forces in Darfur, who have rejected a previous peace accord, to become involved in the peace process. They also reminded the United Nations (UN) about their commitment to bolster the 7,000 African Union (AU) peacekeepers with financial and logistical support. AU troops have been struggling to patrol a western region of Sudan which is roughly the size of France.
Agence France Pressed (AFP) noted that, in their closing remarks, leaders expressed their concern that "intervention by outside forces could complicate matters in Darfur." The Sudanese government has agreed to allow the UN to strengthen the AU contingent but Khartoum has resisted a joint UN-AU effort of 23,000 soldiers and police.
Instability in Somalia
Somalia's ongoing insecurity was another important topic on the agenda. The Ethiopian-backed Transitional Federal Government (TFG) has been battling Islamic insurgents since taking control of Mogadishu from Islamists at the end of 2006. CEN-SAD appealed for "people of good will" to help provide aid and assistance in order to spread the TFG's influence throughout Somalia.
During the summit, Somalia's Prime Minister, Mohammed Gedi, survived an attack from a suicide bomber, just outside his residence. Although no one has claimed responsibility for the blast, reports suggest that al-Qaeda is behind the operation. Five soldiers and two civilians died. It was the fourth attempt on Gedi's life in the last two years. Somali president, Adullahi Yusuf Ahmed said that peace talks, which stalled during the months of April and May, would finally resume in June.
Origins
CEN-SAD was established nine years ago with the aim of promoting trade and the free flow of people and goods in order to increase prosperity and sustainable economic development. Critics note that they have far to go to obtain their goals. Originally six members, the organization now consists of twenty-five nations. Muammar Gaddafi has always stressed that African solutions are required for African problems.
