(HERALD) Traditional leaders resolve to form forum

Traditional leaders resolve to form forum
Herald Reporter

CONTINENTAL traditional leaders who met in the City of Benghazi, Libya, for the 39th commemoration of that country’s First September revolution have resolved to establish a forum of Kings, Sultans, Princes, Chiefs and Mayors of Africa with Cde Muammar El Gaddafi as its chairman.

According to the communiqué released after the meeting, which was the first of its kind, the forum will be a social framework regularising relations among traditional leaders from across Africa.

The communiqué also called for an urgent setting up of an African Union Government at the next AU Summit in early 2009.

Part of the document read, "Firstly, setting up Brother Leader Muammar El Gaddafi as a King of Kings, Sultans, Princesses, Chiefs and Mayors of Africa and naming him beginning from this date as King of Kings of Africa, holding this title with all powers, characteristics and responsibilities of this position.

"Secondly, forming the forum of Kings, Sultans, Princes, Chiefs and Mayors of Africa to be a social framework regularising relations among us and recognising Leader Muammar El Gaddafi as Chairman. This forum will meet at least once a year in September.

"We affirm the necessity to form the African Union Government at the next African Union Summit in 2009. The Government should include Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Defence, External Trade and Transport and Communications as a foundation for total African unity," the communiqué said.

The traditional leaders also said, "As a means of ensuring the implementation of the relevant sections of the African Union Charter concerned with non-aggression and a joint defence policy, we affirm the necessity to declare the setting up of one African Army to defend our coveted motherland."

The communiqué also urged the AU to seriously consider the institution of a single African currency as this would facilitate easier trade within the continent in addition to promoting commerce between member states.

Another resolution was that the continental body see to the creation of a continent-wide passport that would allow Africans to move from one country to another without excessive bureaucratic barriers.

The forum would meet in the Libyan city of Sirte starting next year where a permanent secretariat overseeing the body’s administrative work would be based.