The Libyan leader, Colonel Mouammar Gaddafi, always adds a bit of colour and controversy to international gatherings, and the current EU-Africa Summit in Lisbon is no exception. Shunning the Portuguese capital´s hotels, he has set up his headquarters in a tent on the outskirts of the city. Fortunately the late autumn weather is clement; in fact, we are bathed in warm sunshine.
But Colonel Gaddafi´s message here causes some cause for concern. At a speech at Lisbon University last night, he declared that Europe should compensate its former African colonies. ´The riches that were taken away must be given back, somehow,´he said. Íf we don´t face up to that truth, we´ll have to pay the price one way or another — through terrorism, emigration or revenge.´ Europe does, of course, give large amounts of aid to Africa, but clearly some see that alone as insufficient.
The five official themes of the EU-Africa Summit — the first for seven years — are trade, immigration, environment, human rights, and peace and security. Few people expect major initiatives in a meeting that lasts only two days. But there is a recognition that the relationship between Europe and Africa has matured into one in which all are treated as equal partners. But there will be uncomfortable presssures from both sides, Colonel Gaddafi´s call being counter-balanced by European demands for a greater respect for human rights by some African governments, not least Zimbabwe´s.
