Libya Crisis: AU Must Bow Its Head In Shame – Frances Assiam

A staunch activist of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Frances Assiam, has slammed the African Union (AU) for its silence on the Libyan crisis which has seen the death of thousands of people. To her, the AU is an apology of itself for not coming up with any sanctions or decision as to how to resolve the uprising ‘civil war’ in Libya.

The United Nations Refugee Agency has warned that the humanitarian situation in Libya is reaching crisis point. An estimated 75,000 refugees have gathered at the border with Tunisia, with an estimated 140,000 people already escaping into Tunisia and Egypt.

Sky Foreign Affairs Editor Tim Marshall, who is at the border, said the UN is facing “a logistical nightmare”.

Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana Show, Frances Assiam said it is a shame that the Libyan crisis has escalated to such worrying levels. She tongue-lashed the AU and African leaders for their apathetic nature, adding that even the UN and EU have shown some concern by at least stepping in and passing some sanctions, “but AU has remained silent”.

“The level of the Libya crisis is a shame for the African countries; AU is an apology to itself, till today, a meeting or nothing has been said concerning Libya and people are being slaughtered like cows, with blood pouring all over Libya but African leaders are sitting down,” Frances said.

Sounding quite strident, the aspiring Member of Parliament for the Adenta Constituency in the greater Accra region said though the system of dictatorial governance is breaking down gradually, the rights of Libyans and other nationals are being violated on a daily basis and called for swift intervention by world leaders to end the mass manslaughter in the country.

She added that the Libyan crisis should be a lesson to all leaders and governments that when the people are pushed to the wall, no amount of intimidation, militant force and or security brutalities can crush their will.