Yesterday, Thursday, October 20, 2011, Africaand Arab’s longest serving ruler, Muomar Gaddafi was brutally murdered on the streets of Sirte, the land of his birth. The truck he was travelling with was reportedly intercepted and Gaddafi was accosted. He was shot and while still alive, his body dragged about the city to his death. In a simple term, he died like an animal; not even a pet. Being one of the most atrocious ways to die, his murder has precipitated world- wide rejoicing; and reasonably so. This man ruledLibya for 42 years and in the process stepped on toes (mostly Western toes). No wonder they wanted his head. There is therefore a flip- side.
Not going the religious route but human beings are reported to have been made in the image of the creator. In essence, there is a wide margin between us and animals. When has the death of a human being become occasions for merriment? Granted, Gaddafi was made out to be a de-facto monster but even then did he do what other world leaders have not done? What world leader does not murder, oppress, even enrich himself and people close to him while in power? What world leader does not do anything in their power to retain incumbency? What world leader does not engage in inhuman, sometimes illegal practises to protect their own? For example the United States of America and Barack Obama. What are ‘security agencies’ like the CIA, FBI and NIA there for? Do they not train spies (assassins) that constantly kill America’s enemies? Who are we fooling?
The fact that Muomar Gaddafi had his excesses does not make him different from Barack Obama. Naturally, for one to be a leader in this crazy world, one has to deviate from being human. Gaddafi’s 42-year rule was marked by violence, yes but was that all we should remember him for? In the process of ridding Libya of Western interference, he hurt people.
Only an African without knowledge of his history will rejoice over Gaddafi’s murder. He wanted and constantly fought for a United States of Africa to rival theUSandEurope. While other African leaders just paid lip-service to achieving this vision; pretending to like the idea, Gaddafi was solo in seriously putting it into practice. What is wrong with that idea? This Gaddafi was instrumental to the formation of the African Union, being its Chairman even at the time of his death.
This ‘monster’ was an epitome of citizen diplomacy. He protected Libyans from being messed with by foreign governments. Nigerians, can you confidently say that your President cares about you? Can we say that our government is always there to shield us when we need it? Because of the kind of leader Gaddafi was, during the 1990s Libya endured economic and diplomatic sanctions for his refusal to hand over two Libyans accused of planting a bomb on Pan Am Flight 103 which exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland.
This Muomar Gaddafi was also instrumental with the ousting of the Apartheid government in South Africans. Through his financial and moral support, South Africans fought for their liberation. They are happier for it as Nelson Mandela even named one of his grandsons- Gaddafi. And yet he is such a terrible addition to mankind and should die like an animal?
One life to God is equally important that 45 million lives. Granted, people died during his reign. It’s fair to say that any ruler who holds power for that long will have the same rap sheet. It is indeed disgusting to see how low humans have descended in celebrating a murder. It is also hypocritical to believe we all are better humans than Gadaffi. By your thoughts, words or actions everyone of us has killed another. If we all have the power that Gaddafi had, would we not carry out our threats on a daily basis? How many lives will be preserved if that was the case?
Have you either refused or delayed payment to a menial worker after labouring for you, while he goes home to a hungry wife and sick child? Then, you are a Gaddafi. Have you hurt someone, maybe a lover to the extent that he/ she goes home and cries to the Creator? You are at that point a Gaddafi. Have you in anyway oppressed someone to the point of where the person prays for death to come take him? People die in various ways. One might claim not to be a murderer but some of our actions or inactions hurt people daily to the point of hopelessness.
Unpopular opinions this may be but we need to look in the mirror. No one deserves to die like Muomar Gaddafi died. Even Osama Bin Laden had a more merciful death. There is a Gaddafi in each of us. It then depends on every individual to either exploit or suppress his inner- Gaddafi.
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