- The Ugandan government has stopped a meeting of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and traditional leaders in the capital Kampala, saying the meeting was contradictory to the nation's constitution which bans traditional leaders from politics.
About 200 kings, princes, sultans, sheikhs and traditional leaders were expected to attend the forum in Kampala.
According a communiqué issued by the ministry of Foreign affairs and signed by the permanent secretary, Ambassador James Mugume, the meeting which was expected to discuss African integration and the creation of the African Union government, is beyond the jurisdiction of traditional leaders.
"Inviting kings and chiefs who are not recognised in their respective countries to come and discuss political issues may raise controversies and undermine stability in the great lakes region," Mr Mugume said in a statement.
The forum initiated by Mr Gaddafi last year saw the leader promoting his vision of African unity for several years but Africa's political leaders have been very skeptical about his vision of a single government.
In August 2008, over 200 African kings and traditional leaders met in Libya and bestowed the title "King of Kings" to Mr Gadaffi during ceremonies in Benghazi. Ugandan traditional leaders were part of the forum, whose objective was to solve problems where political leaders have failed.
King Tchiff Zie Jean Gervais of Ivory Coast, who was due to attend the cancelled meeting, called on traditional leaders not to engage in divisive politics. "Kings, sultans, princes and sheikhs of Africa do not need to do politics because they are fathers to everybody. If our children are divided by politics, it is our role to bring them together into one fold," he told local newspaper.
He warned that the struggle for power between traditional and political leaders could easily degenerate into war.
Traditional institutions were banned in 1966 in Uganda, but the government brought them back in 1993 in a move to foster peace and development.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
front page
| news
| countries
| archive
| currencies
| news alerts login
| about afrol News
| contact
| advertise
| español