Libya leader supports trans-saharan railway project
Libya-Niger, Politics, 7/4/2000

Libyan President Moammar Kadhafi has reiterated the importance of the proposed Trans-Saharan railway line, saying it would facilitate the movement of peoples and goods between countries bordering the Sahara desert.

Addressing thousands of people gathered Sunday at the square of Zinder, 900 km East of Niamey, Kadhafi appealed for the transformation of the Sahara into a bridge between the peoples and countries who share the Sahara desert.

"We need to catch up on the time wasted and reduce the distances separating us," Kadhafi said to the people of Niger on the second day of his visit in the country.

The Libyan leader stressed the need for the Sahel people to develop their countries, practice good governance and rationally exploit their resources.

He also insisted on the need to turn the Sahel into a "green paradise."

Kadhafi later condemned colonialism, which, he said, imposed borders, national identity cards and underdevelopment (on African peoples).

He lamented that African countries have been unable to exploit their resources for the welfare of their peoples despite substantial water reserves, oil and gas deposits, forests, abundant rainfall and fertile lands, other mineral resources and seaports they have.

The condition for development remains for Africa the eradication of the legacies of colonialism, the unity and free movement of individuals and goods, he said.

On his way to the OAU summit scheduled next week in Lome, Kadhafi is touring a number of African countries of the Economic Community of Sahelian states.

He stressed that Africans should be free to move all over the continent and live and work wherever they please "without any constraint."

Niger President Mamadou Tanja met Kadhafi upon arrival Sunday evening in Zinder from Agadez, central Niger.

All along the 450-km of road separating the two cities including 300-km of desert area, Kadhafi's motorcade was greeted by huge gatherings of Nigeriens lined up for over 15 km in some places.

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