Mary Mugyenyi, the second vice president of the Pan-African Parliament, says the long reign of Libyan president Muammar Gaddafi are against the principles of the African Union.
Mugyenyi says that without free and fair elections and a democratic government, Gaddafi's leadership is in contravention of the conventions of good governance. Gaddafi has been in power for the past 42 years.
The Pan-African MP says the continental body is never invited to observe democratic processes in Libya. She says that despite Gaddafi's influence in the African Union, he has never shown interest in opening his government to scrutiny.
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Gaddafi is currently under fire by the United States and the United Nations for indiscriminately killing civilians in his country who are opposed to his leadership. A week ago, a U.S.-led mission began air strikes on the North African country to prevent further deaths.
President Yoweri Museveni has spoken out about the air strikes. He says the western nations are acting hypocritically by attacking Libya while ignoring other pro-West Arab nations that are experiencing similar public revolts.
Museveni says the best way to resolve the matter is through negotiations between Gaddafi and those seeking to topple his government.
Mary Mugyenyi, a Museveni ally, however says Libyan citizens have the right to demonstrate against oppressive governance.
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Mugyenyi also condemns the violence that Gaddafi is using against his people. She says the Pan-African Parliament supports the UN resolution to impose a no-fly zone over Libya, but is against the forced removal of Gaddafi from power.
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The European Union has offered financial support to an African Union ad hoc high level committee on Libya. The 840 million shillings will facilitate the work of the committee to facilitate an inclusive dialogue between the warring factions in Libya and lead to a speedy resolution of the crisis.
President Yoweri Museveni and Heads of State from four other countries are on the committee.
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