Raila accuses AU of fence sitting

By Peter Opiyo

The African Union (AU) has been accused of sitting on the fence as African nations go to the dogs under tyrannical leadership.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga told the Fourth Ordinary Session of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union (ECOSOCC) that AU has failed to show leadership and stand by the African people in times of crises.

Raila, who was appointed by AU in December 2010 to help settle the Ivorian elections crisis, said because of AU’s inaction foreign powers have come in to resolve Africa’s problems.

"Why was it hard for AU to send troops to Cote d’Ivoire, yet I talked to Economic Community of West African States about it? In Libya why didn’t AU send troops? Nato came in because there was a vacuum to fill. So, let’s not blame foreigners for our failures," said Raila.

　

Stolen loot

The PM said AU dithered during the Ivory Coast conflict, a situation that led to a long-drawn war and loss of lives.

About 150 members of ECOSOCC are meeting in Nairobi to elect members of its Executive Council.

Raila’s sentiments varied from that of Presiding Officer of ECOSOCC, Mr Akere Muna and Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) Secretary General Francis Atwoli.

"External intervention is our main concern, like Nato’s blatant intervention in Libya. Africa should be left alone to determine its own destiny," said Atwoli.

Muna criticised western powers for accusing African leaders of stashing looted money abroad yet they do not condemn their own who handle the loot.

Raila said Africa should stop relying on foreign intervention and that AU should be bold enough to criticise and condemn bad leadership.

"I hope we have learned that the AU must be proactive. It must stand up for Africa’s people, and it must prove that it is not the same old OAU that was so well-known for its inaction and its solidarity with African leaders in the face of excesses committed against their own people," said the PM.