Reply #34: Zimbabwe: Nation Keeps Landing on Wrong Side of History [View All]

[tabatha]

Remarks by Libya's rebel ambassador to the UK, made during a discussion programme on Japanese TV two weeks ago, confirmed something most observers already knew. The Libyan dictator, Muammar Gaddafi, used to travel to African states carrying large suitcases of cash which was generously distributed to the leaders receiving him.

This perhaps explains why the African Union is having difficulty recognising the rebel government. The ambassador was responding to the AU's decision to withhold recognition made at a recent summit in Addis Ababa. South Africa's Jacob Zuma was among those leaders who opposed recognition.

The ambassador denounced African leaders who preferred to listen to their regional colleagues rather than the will of the Libyan people. Anybody watching TV over the past few weeks will know that Col Gaddafi is a brutal tyrant hated by the Libyan people.

The murder of his opponents speaks volumes for the nature of his regime. But Africa's leaders would prefer to maintain their loyalty to their one-time sponsor rather than listen to the cries of Libyans for liberty.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201109091106.html