Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has denounced some African leaders, who are opposed to his proposal for the creation of a "United States of Africa," as "reactionaries and traitors," the local press has reported.
"In our midst, there are reactionaries and traitors who believe that we must first build our regions before embarking or thinking about the construction of United States of Africa," Gaddafi, who is on an official visit here, told a spell-bound crowd of more than 5,000 people on Sunday.
The Libyan leader was addressing a public rally that he had called to expound on his long-held vision for a united continent that has a much greater voice and influence on the world, stage.
The public meeting, where the Libyan leader spoke through an interpreter, was attended by Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe as well as several Togolese ministers.
"Reports authored by African experts have underscored the failure of these regions. Today, all other continents are coming together, Africa is the exception," said Col. Gaddafi, adding that the future of the African continent is found in coming together and forming a strong central government.
Saying that the vision of a united continent-wide government had fallen hostage, the Libyan leader threatened to denounce some leaders he described as "traitors" and "hesitant," who were "betraying Africa," if "crucial decisions" regarding the proposed union are not taken during the next African Union (AU) heads of state and government summit in July.
"Today, they have been warned. Either they take a crucial decision or else I will denounce them publicly before the masses, because African Unity is for the people and not for a handful of self-serving leaders," said the Libyan leader.
Col. Gaddafi, who arrived in Togo Friday, left Lome on Sunday to attend the summit of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (Cen-Sad) set to be held on June 17 and 18 in Cotonou, capital of Benin,where he will notably take to the podium to defend his ambition to create the "United States of Africa."
Source: Xinhua
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