AP: African Union: Libya needs democratic elections

[Distant Observer]

African Union: Libya needs democratic elections

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/international/africa/view/20110325african_union_libya_needs_democratic_elections/srvc=home&position=recent


ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — A top African Union official today called for a transition period in Libya that would lead to democratic elections, a rare rebuke from African leaders who appear to be pushing for political reforms that could lead to Col. Moammar Gadhafi’s ouster.

A Libyan government delegation is meeting in Ethiopia with five African heads of state who plan to develop a road map to encourage political reform in the North African country. It couldn’t immediately be confirmed if Libyan rebels were also in attendance.

African Union commission chairman Jean Ping said in an opening speech that the AU favors an inclusive transitional period that would lead to democratic elections.

Ping stressed the inevitability of political reforms in Libya and called the aspirations of the Libyan people "legitimate." He said the international community needed to agree on a way forward.

[robcon]

1. I think the African Union has pissed in its own soup. It can't talk with authority on this.

from March 2009"

Libyan leader Gaddafi elected chairman of African Union

Libyan chief Muammar Gaddafi will head the African Union for the next year after being elected on Monday. He has promised to push ahead with the idea of a United States of Africa, resembling the American model.
http://www.france24.com/en/200090102-gaddafi-elected-head-african-union

[Distant Observer]

2. Chair of the African Union, as the OAU before it, is ROTATING, and Libya is an African Country

Do we have a problem with that? The presidency of the UN Security Council is also rotating, except only among Security Council members, not the General Assembly.

[David__77]

3. The rebels declined to attend.

They have made clear that they will continue armed struggle until all their demands are met.

[Distant Observer]

4. Could some reporter INVESTIGATE if the rebels want DEMOCRACY??

The words of their diplomatic supporters suggest that, but everything they have done
indicates that they just want power, by whatever means.

They have rejected every overture and it doesn't seem to matter to the Western allies.

[robcon]

5. Do you REALLY think the Libyan rebels are of one voice?

Are you that pathetically naive?

[bobbolink]

6. It has been reported over and over and over again, and posted many times here on DU.

It is not what a lot of people want to hear, so it gets ignored.

Look up Transition National Council. A lot of info and statements.

you might also consider reading this:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x739862