SESSION 18: TEXT FOR WEDNESDAY 3RD MARCH

SESSION 18: TEXT FOR WEDNESDAY 3RD MARCH
GADDAFI SUGGESTS A UNITED STATES OF AFRICA

Text taken and adapted from: http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/

The text:

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi is the new chairman of the 53-nation African Union. An AU spokeswoman told reporters that Colonel Gaddafi was elected "by the heads of state in a closed-door session, for a one-year period". Gaddafi, 66, becomes the first North African leader to hold the top post at the AU since it started in 2002. The new AU chief made his acceptance speech in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. He stopped before the end of the speech saying he was too tired to continue. He told his audience that actions were more important than words: “I think the near future will be a time of serious work and a time of action and not a time of words,” he said. Gaddafi is the world’s longest-serving political leader.

One of Gaddafi’s biggest plans is for a United States of Africa. He has spent his political life campaigning for greater African unity. His vision is to join the continent’s 53 nations into a political federation. This would mean a single African military force, a single currency and a single passport for Africans to move freely around the continent. Outgoing AU chairman Jakaya Kikwete, president of Tanzania, agreed that the “ultimate” aim was for a United States of Africa. However, he warned that there were many “building blocks” to reach that goal. Gaddafi believes unity is the only way to help Africa escape from poverty, disease and conflict. South Africa, the continent’s economic powerhouse, regards the idea as impractical.

'Gaddafi suggests a United States of Africa' 3rd February, 2009

www.BreakingNewsEnglish.com