African summit fosters anti-U.S. sentiment

[Mekeda7]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060701/...JlYmhvBHNlYwM-

African summit fosters anti-U.S. sentiment
By HEIDI VOGT, Associated Press Writer

BANJUL, Gambia - A summit of African leaders opened
Saturday with a special welcome for the firebrand
presidents of Iran and Venezuela, each visiting the
poorest continent to win support for their
anti-American agenda.

Gambian President Yahya Jammeh hailed the presence of
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez and Iran's President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at the summit of the 53-nation
African Union as "a morale booster as well as an
assurance that Africa can make it."

Ahmadinejad's visit was seen as an attempt to bolster
Iran in its standoff with the United States and Europe
over its nuclear program. The Iranian president has
made several high-profile trips to Asia, where he drew
crowds of Muslims cheering Tehran for defying the
West.

He prayed with African Muslims at Banjul's main mosque
Friday, encouraging Gambian Muslims to "come together
on the path of Islam to God."

Ninety percent of Gambia's 1.6 million people are
Muslim, and Islam is a powerful force throughout much
of Africa.

Leftist icon Chavez — who was to address the summit
later Saturday — repeatedly attacks the U.S. and
President Bush in speeches and has worked to form
Latin American trading blocs to counterbalance U.S.
economic power.

Venezuela, the world's ninth-largest oil producer, has
talked to African oil producers about potential
collaborations, though no agreements have been signed,
said Richard Mendez, deputy head of mission at the
Venezuelan Embassy in Ethiopia.

Iran is the fourth-largest global oil producer.

Mendez added that Venezuela is hoping for African
support in its bid for one of the rotating seats on
the U.N. Security Council, a proposal opposed by the
United States.

But Chavez's appearance was more reflective of a broad
desire to show solidarity with Africa, Mendez said.

The Venezuelan leader also is planning to visit Iran
next month to discuss energy issues.

Leaders at the weekend summit are expected to address
issues including the conflict in Sudan's Darfur
region, the rise of a hard-line Islamic regime in
Somalia and often-deadly illegal migration by Africans
to Europe.

Even if resolutions are passed, African Union members
aren't beholden to them and the body has little
funding to pursue independent action.

Among African leaders confirmed to attend were South
Africa's Thabo Mbeki, Libya's Moammar Gadhafi,
Liberia's Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Nigeria's Olusegun
Obasanjo, Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe and Kenya's Mwai
Kibaki.

On Darfur, the leaders are expected to reiterate calls
for Sudan to accept U.N. peacekeepers to replace an
overtaxed African Union force.

At a meeting this week, the group's policy-making
peace council made clear it wanted the handover,
refusing to extend the mandate of African Union forces
beyond September. The council also announced targeted
sanctions against anyone who stands in the way of
peace in Darfur.

Sudan has resisted U.N. peacekeepers for Darfur.

"We think the African Union could be supported,"
rather than replaced, said Taj Elsir Mahjoub, a
Sudanese delegate in Banjul.

The Darfur conflict began in early 2003 when members
of ethnic African tribes rose in revolt against the
Khartoum government. Sudan's government is accused of
responding by unleashing Arab militias known as the
janjaweed who have been blamed for the worst
atrocities.

The conflict has left more than 180,000 people dead,
driven 2 million from their homes, and undermined
stability in neighboring Chad and Central African
Republic.

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan was expected to meet
with Mugabe, who is under increasing international
pressure to resolve Zimbabwe's political and economic
crisis.

A proposal threatening suspension of African Union
membership for nations that abolish presidential term
limits is also under consideration.

[rebelAfrika]

This was a very good article. Maybe I'll give more of an analysis when I am feeling better.

[manifestdestiny]

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