Is Muammar Gaddafi the Right Man to Lead African Union?

At a meeting of the 12th ordinary session of the assembly of the heads of state and governments of the African Union (AU) on February 2, representatives elected Libyan leader Mummar Gaddafi as the new AU chair.

Gaddafi’s role as chair would be to help set and implement the AU’s agenda during the period for which he is elected to serve. The leadership position of the AU is a rotating position similar to the chair of the European Union. Gaddafi takes over from Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete.

Already, Gaddafi is stirring up controversy by saying that democracy is not good for Africa and is calling for African nations to emulate the system that now exists in socialist Libya, where multi-party elections are outlawed.

Also, he has proposed for the United States of Africa that would include not only African nations but also nations in the Caribbeans and South America such as Haiti and Jamaica.