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| Caribbean-Latin America |
| African Union to consider "land for Haitians" plan |
| 2010-01-31 |
| ADDIS ABABA, Jan 31 (Reuters) - The African Union (AU) agreed on Sunday to consider a Senegalese proposal to resettle Haiti's earthquake homeless and possibly create a state for them in Africa. The idea was first floated by Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade who said the history of Haitians as descendants of African slaves gave them the right to a new life on the continent. AU chairman Jean Ping told African leaders at its annual summit in Addis Ababa that they would discuss the proposal during the three-day event. The AU had opened an account for Haiti with the African Development Bank, he said. "It is out of a sense of duty and memory and solidarity that we can further the proposal of Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade to create in Africa the conditions for the return of Haitians who wish to return after the effect of the disaster that ravaged Haiti," Ping said. Wade said Senegal and other African states should naturalise any Haitians who sought new nationality, and he urged a mass adoption programme across the continent for orphans of the quake, feared to have killed as many as 200,000. The idea for a new state is reminiscent of the 19th century creation of Liberia by freed U.S. slaves. The West African country is currently recovering from a 1999 civil war and is hoping to benefit from recent oil discoveries off its coast. "We have attachment and links to that country," Ping said of Haiti. "The first black republic in 1804, that carried high the flame of liberation and freedom for the black people." |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #8 Can we send the Black Panther crowd to supervise the elections? I think the DemocRATs have them scheduled for a gig in November.... |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2010-01-31 18:42 |
| #7 New uniforms and beret wearing instruction please. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2010-01-31 17:30 |
| #6 Can we send the Black Panther crowd to supervise the elections? |
| Posted by: ed 2010-01-31 17:28 |
| #5 Relocating them and giving them a goat (ala Heifer.org) sure beats perpetual WFP handouts. Haiti had a pre-quake 80% unemployment rate, 60% were under 20, and the estimated 385,000 orphans just tripled. Most are illiterate and don't even have the social skills to work the tourist industry on the cruise ships. I just heard they expet US troops to be there years to rebuild. Considering the overall picture, Africa sounds like a good deal for many of them. |
| Posted by: Omoluque Hapsburg8162 2010-01-31 12:30 |
| #4 Hat tip to the visionary President Abdoulaye Wade. Please keep in mind Mr. President, things are very bad in Detroit, Atlanta, Philladelphia, New York, and New Orleans as well. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2010-01-31 11:28 |
| #3 Heck it works for me. Consolidation of all 4th world failed states makes life easier. With any luck the ones that stay on this side will get their $*77 together...............nah, I don't really think so. But then we could turn the mess back to the UN right? They can continue their Stellar Work, right? Hey, maybe the UN could relocate to the NEW Improved Haitafrica. |
| Posted by: AlanC 2010-01-31 10:52 |
| #2 Someone made the point last week that possibly the Haitians would be used as pawns in a regional conflict (Casamance). But Africans wouldn't do that..., Right? |
| Posted by: Snumble the Wide1145 2010-01-31 10:37 |
| #1 Lessee, move from a failed state in the Western Hemisphere to a Yeah, that'll help. |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2010-01-31 10:18 |