Libya: African Traditional Leaders Protest Bombing
By Henry Neondo
The allied bombings of Libya in an attempt aimed at curtailing Muamar Gadaffi from reigning on opposition to his rule has infuriated African traditional rulers in East Africa.
Riaga Ogallo, Vice Chairman, House of Traditional Elders of Kenya came out strongly on Tuesday to condemn the US, UK and French attack on Libya saying the attack will work against the envisioned creation o f the United State of Africa Gadaffi so dreamed of.
In his quest for a United State of Africa, Gadaffi had in August 2008 launched a forum for traditional leaders when over 200 African kings princes, sultans, sheikhs and traditional leaders met in Libya.
To help realize the dream, Ogallo said Gadaffi had gone out of his way to initiate or support various development projects around Africa, especially sub-Saharan Africa.
Late last year, Gaddafi told over 100 visiting elders from Kenya to craft a proposal of areas they would want to be assisted on back home and they mentioned construction of schools, hospitals and sinking of boreholes to better the lives of communities at the grassroots.
“It is quite unfortunate that this man who would see the development of Africa is now facing the wrath of white men,” said Ogallo in western Kenya.
While traditional elders supported the move for a United State of Africa as envisioned by Gadaffi, the political leadership including the African Union however did not buy into the idea.
This came as a result of the accusation of neglect of Africa’s traditional values in development by the Africa’s political leadership meted out by the Traditional leaders.
In 2010, the Ugandan government stopped a meeting between Gaddafi and traditional leaders in the capital Kampala, saying the meeting was contradictory to the nation's constitution which bans traditional leaders from politics.
According a communiqué issued by the ministry of Foreign affairs and signed by the permanent secretary, Ambassador James Mugume, the meeting which was expected to discuss African integration and the creation of the African Union government, “was beyond the jurisdiction of traditional leaders”.
"Inviting kings and chiefs who are not recognised in their respective countries to come and discuss political issues may raise controversies and undermine stability in the great lakes region," Mr Mugume said in a statement.
But King Tchiff Zie Jean Gervais of Ivory Coast, opposed the views by the government and said traditional leaders do not engage in divisive politics. "Kings, sultans, princes and sheikhs of Africa do not need to do politics because they are fathers to everybody. If our children are divided by politics, it is our role to bring them together into one fold."
Uganda brought back traditional institutions in 1993 in a move to foster peace and development. They had been banned in 1966.
Kenya’s House of Traditional Elders of Kenya was registered on December 22, 2009.
The bombing of Libya, which began on March 19, has aroused world opposition to this new aggression by the U.S. and European imperialist powers.
The assault, dubbed “Operation Odyssey Dawn,” has included strikes by fighter aircraft and missiles launched from warships off the coast of Libya in the Mediterranean Sea.