In the theatre of political and economic needs of individual and states in a challenging world of the 20th and 21st century. There has been the exhibition of state’s pride or ego and hypocrisy by leaders of nations, which are often seen in the direction of global political and economic perspective. Thus some world leaders have been perceived themselves to be too powerful and influential, causing changes in the world polity, regardless of the sovereignty of other states with resentment by other states.
Consequently, double standard and hypocrisy is the order of the day in the pretence of pursuing morality in the cause of protecting humans race against dictators like Mummar Gaddafi or Libya who have over the years wrapped up the Libyan in a political bondage.
Since the Libyan revolution of 1969, Gaddafi sacked the leadership of the Caliph Omar Abdul Muazu, taking other the ruler-ship of Libya and shifted the political base of Libya from Benghazi to Tripoli. This is sufficient to generate strong opposition over the years within the political arrangement of Libya particularly as the eastern axis is the economic base of the country. But of his autocratic rule repressing the people to remain loyal to his leadership. Though Gaddafi as a stateman is unlike the leaders of many nations, particularly in Africa that have plundered their country’s economic resources and leaving the people in poverty. The Libyan system under Gaddafi has reduced corruption, with good economy Libya has one of the highest income per capita which reflects on the life of the ordinary Libyan. Suffice to say that average Libyan enjoys a high standard of living over the citizens of many countries.
As result of the large Libyan oil reserve and significance of its energy contribution to the world energy particular western energy needs, coupled with the Libyan history of driving the Italians of their north African soil in the 1950s. This have over the years brought pride to Gaddafi and their Libyan people, and has exhibited over blown ego with an air of radicalization, with disrespect for western powers like the United States, Britain and France. Thus he had built a political fortress around himself which eventually leaves Libya to the desires of Western “Political Capture”, which Gaddafi has long prevented.
The human right records of Libya under Gaddafi had not been good, but for fear of opposition and insecurity, the people have been refused the right to information and contacts/association with the rest of the world. He has never pretended over his non acceptance of western democracy as the only alternative system of government; and to him “Democracy is government of deception”, probably by the political class which is often manipulated by the capitalist few against the interest of all.
With over confidence and ego, Gaddafi and his Libyan state has been in near isolation, as his hatred for the US, Britain and France is deep rooted due to their role in world polity and economy, or the far-fetched imperialistic tendencies; and to him in the interest of developing countries and Africa in particular, there is need for them to be rescued from those imperial nations.
Thus he had championed an African Renaissance with the transformation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) into the African Union (AU), that would summarily promote better political and economic integration amongst African states, thus positioning them to respond to Global economic competitiveness and breaking African countries from imperialistic shackles.
In the area of International Relations the Libyan state foreign policy have often been overwhelmed by Gaddafi hatred for the West, and as a result of his stands cum radical views the Libyan city was attacked by President Roland Reagan of the US in 1987. Libya was also placed on the list of countries supporting terrorism, and even a formal top member of the Libyan government, Mussa Koussa wanted in connexion with the Lockerbie bomb blast in Scotland, and Gaddafi government refused to release him for trial; but rather paid $2.7Billion Dollars as compensations to the families of the victims and Libya was delisted from the list of terrorist countries by the US government.
As a result of the recent Arab revolution in Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Barah, Yemen, libya and Syria. The Opposition group protested against Gaddifi government as they want him to step down after 42yrs of being the leader of the Libyan government. And the Libyan government has used force to quell to the protest, killing so many people. This was not particular to Gaddafi’s government in Libya alone, in Barah, Yemen and Syria a lot of protesters has been killed by Government forces in an attempt to quell protest, where their leaders have also spent more than 30yrs in government like Gaddafi.
Yet there is no United Nations resolution against them and why has Gaddafi alone be selected for this conspiracy? All in the pretence of protecting innocent civilians with high propaganda orchestrated by the eastern Libya (Benghazi) based opposition group; with an infiltration of elements of Al Qudae and Taliban, a people who have over the years want to re-write the Libyan history and reposition the power base in Libya back to Benghazi in the east.
While the attack on un-armed protesters by forces loyal to Gaddafi is very wrong and condemnable. But those protesters who took to arm against the Libyan government under Gaddafi were not civilians but rebels, which no responsible government will tolerate and will therefore fight back. But the role the US, France, Britain and NATO to protect the rebels with Ariel bombardment of Gaddafi’s forces and Tripoli has in no small strengthen the rebels and weaken the Gaddafi forces. Ironically, this has led to the deaths of more Libyans and the destruction of properties suggesting that this may not be the most appropriate solution to the crisis in Libya. The recognition and financing of the Libyan opposition from the $32B Dollars of Libyan reserved that was deposited by the Gaddafi led government, this has made it more difficult for a political resolution to the problem. And the question here is, why are those western countries so interested in Libya now than ever before? Could it be due to the oil in Libya, which Gaddafi prevented them from dominating their crude oil market?
While the role of the US, Britain and France may be commended in other areas; their semblance of double standard in this regard have not promoted stability. Now that Gaddafi may likely end as Saddam Hussein of Iraq for failing to be in the good books of the West, this may once again reveal to observers the significance of economic interest behind some supposed margnamity and moral position of some western nations in the polity of other states, and in the world in general.
The western media, a very powerful tool of information and manipulation was used to make the world believed the Saddam Hussein was developing nuclear power which was a threat to world peace and security. But after his death, the world realised that it was not true as Iraq had been wrongly attacked and invaded. Will the end of Gaddafi or the war in Libya not proved to be another needless attack?
the rejection of the position of African leaders on the Libyan crisis on grounds of lack of merit has quickly criticized by some western leaders and the media is not good for the situation. Is this escalated civil war the best alternative? This would have at least saved more lives and reduce the extent of destructions if the powers that be had given it a little consideration.
Presumably, they had concluded on a modus operandi in this regard, hence the manner in which the resolution was passed with Gaddafi playing into their hands. It is therefore imperative now than ever that Gaddafi must step down, but not with the present approach of war, between the forces loyal to Gaddafi and the opposition rebels backed by the West. Therefore a ceasefire needs to be enforced to allow the parties to talk. But how unbiased would the umpires be if there ever will be a ceasefire?
NATO claims of carrying out six thousands Air-raids and not targeting Gaddafi, yet his house and other possible places he may have been have been severally bombarded, which has resulted in the deaths of his son Self Al-Islam and his three grand children.
Where would Gaddafi’s ego and western hypocrisy leads the world to? The aftermath of the war may create a very big problem for Libyans only to realise that they have done more harm than good to themselves and their country, considering the associated monumental losses from the war. And the possibility of being more divided a people along tribal lines after Gaddafi, like the sectarian crisis in Egypt after President Mubarak and Saddam Hussein in Iraq may brew up with eastern Libya likely dominating the western Libya.
If in the same manner and speed, the United Nations had decisively and timely taken decisions against Laurent Gbagbo of Ivory Coast, Charles Taylor of Liberia or the Rwanda Crisis as was the case against Gaddafi in Libya, hundreds and thousands of lives would have been saved. And after the war in Libya, at the point of reconstruction it may be too late for the Libyans to know that there may be some in-reconciliations; who then will be the benefactors?
However, while the United States and other Nations tried to protect and promote their interest like any other, their role in promoting good governance and development among the developing countries of the world cannot be overemphasized. The relative peace enjoyed in the world’s global community could not have been possible, but for the world policing role of the US, which over time had also earned her some hatred.
Western democracy is no doubt the best form of government. All dictators and seat tight rulers should be reminded that their era is gone, and while the US and her ally pursue these objectives, they must also realize that their approach of interference in the political development of other states must meet the challenges of the 21st century strategic approach; and that a more clinical and strategic efforts should be applicable to reduce huge financial and human loses which also has characterized direct interference such as in Iraq and Libya.
