Libyan leader Moammar Gadaffi said the newly formed African Union would ”free” the continent from its former oppressors.
Gadaffi, on a tour of southern Africa following last week’s launch of the new regional body last week in South Africa, made the comments to a stadium full of cheering supporters in Malawi.
Malawi’s government declared Wednesday a national holiday so people could welcome Gadaffi, referred to on state radio as the ”Brother Leader”.
”Africans have been enslaved for ages, but the African Union will free Africa. We have proved to the world that we are a strong minded people,” Gadaffi said.
The African Union was launched with the promise of bringing development, good governance and democracy to Africa.
Gadaffi has tried to take a leading role in its organisation but as a dictator and international pariah for his past role in international terrorism, there was little hope for the union’s success if he is a major player, critics have said.
The flamboyant leader’s massive security convoy, including several buses carrying his 600-plus entourage, clogged traffic in Blantyre.
People thronged the streets to watch his open-air motorcade roll through the city, the country’s commercial centre.
Gadaffi was expected to leave Malawi on Friday. – Sapa-AP