Africans react to Gaddafi’s death
- Posted on Thursday 20 October 2011 - 15:19Sanday Chongo Kabange in Hong KongThe death of disposed ex-Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi Thursday in his home town of Sirte heated up reactions among African internet users across various social networking channels. Africans on Facebook, Twitters and other social networking sites shared a timeline of events as they unfolded out of Libya.
Internet users across Africa exchanged links, tweets and posts starting from reports of Gaddafi’s attempted escape, his wounded legs, his reported capture and subsequent confirmation that he had been killed while trying to flee from Sirte where he had been hiding since the start of a people-driven revolt against rule.
Brian Mwale, Head of Business News at Zambia’s Muvi Television said from Brussels, “I think it has sent signals to leaders like [Robert] Mugabe [Zimbabwe] who want to cling on to power for life. It has shown that Africans will stop at nothing in bringing change in the political landscape, Zambians just showed that in the recent presidential elections were people started demonstrating and were ready to pay with their blood had results come out otherwise”
“You may also add that 20 African and East Europe journalists gathered in Brussels for DW training under East4South project are happy with Gaddafi’s death because the violence has claimed a lot of lives in that country and affected economic growth,” said Mwale.
Kagiso Madibana, a Master of Journalism student at the Cardiff University from Botswana in southern Africa shared her thoughts on Gaddafi’s death moments after his death broke.
“Considering the fact that Botswana broke ranks with the African Union over the legitimacy of the NTC as Libya’s interim government, the death of Gaddafi will not be much of a loss. The government of Botswana likes to pride itself with democracy and standing up for its principles not matter what the consequences are. Botswana was also amongst the first to break diplomatic ranks with Libya after Gaddafi declared war on his own people.
Other countries like South Africa and the rest of the AU member countries will of course have differing opinions. They will stick with their cautionary tales about the role played by the west in the Libya drama. They will hail Gaddafi as a hero and a victim, while other countries will acknowledge him as a hero turned villain. For the people of Libya however, his death as tragic as it sounds might be a welcome event.”
Coco Mhofo from Harare in Zimbabwe did not make reference to what Gaddafi’s death might have on Zimbabwean leader, Robert Mugabe but said, "This promises to be a bad year for African dictators. He will be remembered for fighting to be head of United States of Africa yet he had blood in his hands. That explains why he was so paranoid."
A Zambian expatriate working for an international humanitarian agency in West Africa said the death of Gaddafi offers lot of lessons for Africans leaders that hold on to power even when their people oppose them.
The expatriate who asked not to be named said, “'Gaddafi's unwavering grip on power which led to his demise symbolizes the power of the people and should be a wakeup call for leaders that out leave their welcome. For me, the Arab uprising has actually been a real awakening for most of our leaders who choose to abuse the instruments of power. The lesson is clear for them to learn. We are lucky that Zambia has broken the trend of leaders wanting to leave power only by the bullet and not through the ballot. Africa should now turn this ugly page and move towards a peaceful and balanced relationship between the leaders and the led.”
Treasure Kauzuu, a TV Journalist in Namibia said, “I think it’s biased. All the media reports are agenda setting, as was with Osama [bin Laden] yet again we are not shown picture evidence that he is indeed dead. Nothing! In my view the way the West is reporting and has reported on the Libya issue has certain agendas. The truth is not reported. The world is left wondering....there is no credibility in the reports, it disgusts me really. I’m sorry but I cannot be objective on this issue because ever since it started there has been a lot of biased reporting.”
Zambian broadcast journalist, Danstan Kaunda expressed regret at the death of the embattled ex-Libyan leader.
Kaunda said, “The killing of Gaddafi’s is sad! Losing of any human being is depressing! Whether rich or poor man! I only hope that peace will now return to that country.”
Christine Ngwisha said from Tanzania, “When people are enlightened knowing you are not offering the best then they are bound to revolt...its pure social media tools at work.”
Chimwemwe Roderick Gondwe posted on his Facebook wall, “Gaddafi's mistake was denial of any opposition against his rule. He said "my people love me. They love Gaddafi. Those people protesting are al-Qaeda and kids on drugs" If only he listened like Mubarak did, he would still be alive. Now that is where Mugabe outsmarts them all.”
From Kenya in East Africa, Claire Mitchell said, “First I can say great victory for Libyan people! The only thing is if he's dead then no justice for all the inhumanity things he committed. That man has invested in Africa more than any other leader in the recent history of Africa's coming into political independence.”
Asha-daan Nelson from Ghana said, “Sad though but I think he had all the opportunity to exit peaceful and leave Libya knitted together, rather Qathafi chose the path of chaos knowing well it was a 'to lose battle for him' "
Malawi journalist and Africa News reporter, Sam Banda Junior said Africa had lost a figure despite the wrong that the disposed former Libyan leader did.
“I remember him when he came to Malawi some years back during the era of Bakili Muluzi and to date there is a hospital which was supposed to be built in his name but the project is now grounded. He was a great leader who wanted Africa to stand on its own. Of course he had his shortfalls but Africa in him has lost a key figure,” said Banda.
Reactions
- Posted on Friday 21 October 2011 12:25It unfortunate that Col. Qaddafi rule had to come to an end in this kind of a manner. In 1969 he took over the leadership of Libya through almost the say style but with less bloodshed. The "dissatisfied people of Libya" had an opportunity to change that and device a means to bring about the change they hoped for but they used the same mode. What makes them better than Col. Qaddafi can only be see in the future for today we can just speculation.
This man with all the evil that the world want us to believe he did, have stirred this country with notable success. The morality have decrease to about 20, death rate has also gone down significantly to 3.4. A real economic growth rate of 4.6% of the GDP. A budget surplus of 9.6% of the GDP. and a higher life expectancy age of above 77 years. France have a death rate of 8.76 and a budget surplus of -6.9% of its GDP with life expectancy of 81 only four years higher than that of Libya. UK has a 9.33 death rate, A budget surplus of -10.2% of GDP and an economic growth rate of just 1.3% of the GDP. These statistics just prove that Libya was not the richest country or the best managed country by it was doing just fine. It was doing better and there was evident growth.
Democracy is neither the only form of governance nor the best. The fact that Col. Qaddafi was at the hem of leadership of Libya since 1969 is not a justifiable reason to subject the country of Libya to the blood bath that we have witnessed. Libya has continued to witness development in the health sector, education and even in the management of its affairs. This however, do not necessarily mean that Col. Qaddafi was an angel, far from it. He was not the best of the leaders but he put great effort in the management of the affairs of Libya.
Reasons that NATO had to support an aggression while the the UN has continued to refuse to recognize Somaliland as a nation separate from Somali is confusing to say the least.
Americans to have recognized the National Transitional Council in Libya who are aggressors by all standards is in itself a contradiction of what they claim to stand for. They have to reason not to support Al-shabab in Somali, Taliban on Afghanistan and Lord's Resistance Army in Northern Uganda. Infact the fact that they have sent a troop to take care of Lord's Resistance Army in Uganda is another contradiction and demonstration of double standards. What even is more amazing is that in May 2009, U.S. President Barack Obama signed into law the Lord's Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act, legislation aimed at stopping Joseph Kony and the LRA. The bill had been passed unanimously in the Senate on March 11, 2010 with 65 senators as cosponsors, then passed unanimously in the House of Representatives on May 13, 2010 with 202 representatives as cosponsors. Further, on November 24, 2010, Obama delivered a strategy document to Congress, asking for more money to disarm Kony and the LRA and on October 14, 2011, President Obama announced that he had ordered the deployment of 100 U.S. military advisors (with a mandate to train, assist and provide intelligence) to help combat the Lord's Resistance Army. This only leaves more questions than answers.
Some have urged that the removal and killing of Col. Qaddafi should serve a lesson for H.E. Mugabe, the president of Zimbabwe and others who have continued to remain in power for "too long". The only lessons for Mugabe here is by getting to understand how Col. Qaddafi ran the country with a budget surplus of 9.6% of the GDP and a GDP per capita (PPP) of $14,000, how he managed to attain an economic real growth rate of 4.6% of the GDP. How he improved health care and education system to attain a life expectancy of over 77 almost at per with France and UK lower the death rate to 3.4/ 1000. Among other notable positive lessons one can learn if he only maintained objectivity while studying the leadership of the late Col. Murmar Qaddafi. Africa have lost a leader who dreamed of a united Africa.
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- Posted on Tuesday 27 December 2011 07:56That man has invested in Africa more than any other metformin dosage leader in the recent history of Africa's coming into political independence.He was a very bad leader.He deserve the death he had.
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- Posted on Thursday 02 February 2012 12:22Americans to have recognized the National Transitional Council in Libya who are aggressors by all standards is in itself a contradiction of what they claim to stand for. They have to reason not to support Al-shabab in Somali, Taliban on Afghanistan and Lord's Resistance Army in Northern Uganda.school grants for women
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