The Presidential aircraft touched down at the Maitiga Airbase in the Libyan capital, Tripoli late Sunday evening to a tumultuous welcome. The reception was by Libyan government officials, scores of Gambian nationals based in the Jamahirriya and a contingent of Gambian command, numbering 55 set to participate in commemorations marking the 40th Anniversary of the Al-Fatah Revolution.

President Jammeh joined other African leaders into business of finding solutions to Africa’s major conflicts on Monday. It was a Special Session of the African Union Assembly on the Consideration and Resolution of Conflicts in Africa – a decision they made at the 13th Ordinary Session of the Union in early July, in Sirte.

The scourge of violence – inter and intra state conflicts have caused Africa its development, heightened, its dependency on the international community; while its resources are exploited and traded around the world

The leaders are not only challenged to resolving the conflicts in Somalia, Darfur and The Great Lakes Region but are also faced with the challenges of post-conflict reconstruction and stabilization, with reference to the role the AU Membership could play at both continental and regional levels.

The realities on the ground are disheartening: 15years of conflicts have cost Africa around US$300 billion, with UNHCR’s estimation in 2006, listing 33million people of concern in three categories of dire situations: 10million  are refugees,  13 million are internally displaced and the other 10 million are either asylum seekers or stateless persons.

President Jammeh delved on the problem with such honesty, during a closed door session shortly after the opening statement of the Libyan leader and Chairman of the African Union, Muammar Qathafi urging African leaders to wake up to the need and aspirations of their people. He called for a moment of truth and open discussion – pointing out problems of Africa are compounded by greed and irresponsible behavior of the leadership, whose double-standards undermine efforts towards integration.

The President’s statement was off the cuff, but attracted the applause of the whole membership:

The Special Session ended with the Adoption of a Declaration and a Plan of Action – issuing recommendations on a final push to achieving lasting solution to Africa’s problems. It called for increased international funding and strengthening of the peace mission in Somalia. Officials however, fear that unless and until these recommendations are implemented, it will just be another blue print expected at the end of such summit.

The Session was widely attended by world leaders and observers, including Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, who issued formal notification of a plan AU/Latin America Summit scheduled on September, 26th in Caracas.

40th Anniversary of the Al-Fatah Revolution

The Gambian leader joined in nights of events, organized by the Libyan leadership at the Maitiga Airbase ahead of the 40th Anniversary of the Al-Fatah Revolution. The base had once been America’s largest military base outside American soil, until 1969 when they were force out by Libyan Revolutionary forces under Colonel Gathafi’s command.

Now, on the gathering of the highest order, Libya paraded a cultural display of a magnitude, uncompromisingly lavish. Youths from the Jamahirriya and other parts of the Arab World took to the stage to act out key moments in Libya’s history in which Italy played a dominating role in contrast to Britain, France and America, each of which occupied Libya at different stages of its history. The Airbase, then called Whells, was renamed Maitiga in 1969, after a young girl of 6 years, who died after an American aircraft crashed on her house.

Out of a green history, Libya paraded its military hardware; and naval capability during commemorations of the 40th Anniversary of the Al-Fatah Revolution.

The anticipation was high and outreaching with the event attracting most of the delegates attending the Special Session of the African Union Assembly on the Consideration and Resolution of Conflicts in Africa.

Relations have been specially warm between President Jammeh and the leader of the Jamahirriya Muammar Qathafi, who also graced the occasion  of Gambia’s 15th Anniversary of the July 22nd Revolution.
People in Libya still speak of the warm reception and hospitality accorded to the Libyan leader during his visit.

The military formation at the parade reaffirms President Jammeh’s point that it is up to the leadership to influence peace and stability within and outside their respective borders. It is a determination to unite the continent, not a provocative to war and arm race. It is, however, true that commitment should be placed on defending the country’s territorial integrity.

The African and world leaders, who graced the occasion including President Jammeh, were decorated with the Medal of the Al-Fatah Revolution by Brother and Leader of the Jamahirriya Muammar Qathafi.

Libya has emerged out of the cold with UN and American sanctions behind it, the Great Socialist People’s Jamahirriya is finding place within the domains of influential nations.

The 40th Anniversary of Gathafi's strength to power bore the symbol of the concept "African Unity", the continent had pursued for the past 10 years. The event also showcased the parade of contingents from different parts of African including a contingent of Gambian command numbering 55 personnel. The officers were led by Lt. Col. Mai Touray who spoke highly of the participation of the men and women of the Gambia Armed Forces.
          

Report by Abdou Njie