On The Occasion Of My 2000th Post ...

Correct continent. Wrong country.
[I want to end this misery.]

As my last guess I will go

Mozambique

Lourenco Marques

Arrived Lourenco Marques left Maputo after Independence

The Amoebes are large moths

Howdy Buddy,

I'll let YouTube speak for me:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL5E9BG2CWs

As Ed McMahon used to say, "You are correct, sir!"

"come visit us soon"

No thanks, been there already. TOO HOT!
---
But it ain't over, as Buddy missed question three.

Still guessing....

Baibokoum

Was it Sarh?

An explanation of my 'help:'

In 1973 there were two Germanys. 1973 was the year of my adventure.

The 1973 eclipse over Africa was late June. It grew dark and the wind carried sand into Fort Lamy. I learned that the people in the streets were frightened. My location was about 97 per cent totality.
The Concorde had been sent to Fort Lamy because of its airport. It location in the center of the continent is of strategic value to France, which maintained a military presence to protect it. As we were boarding another plane to travel to the Cameroon we were able to see the plane sitting on the tarmac.

The poem is nothing more than a reference to an eclipse occurring my stay.

"... to find any reference to my purpose in the country ..."
is a reference to Peace Corps 1973.

The red herrings are the English translation of four lines from the national anthem.
"Lève les yeux, l'avenir est à Toi."
(Raise your eyes, the future is yours)
If you Google, in French, this one line you get this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Tchadienne

Lyrics in French, Arabic and English.

Hope your heads heal soon!

Congratulations Buddy!