For as long as the revolution-come-civil war in Libya has dominated the headlines I have been unable decisively determine what my views and opinions of Mr Gaddafi are. As someone who does not believe in fence-sitting I have decided to make the first real entry of this blog about that subject.
I have seen, heard and read much about the personality and his views on the international platform as well as his modus operandi within his own country.
Let us start with Muammar Gaddafi; Libyan leader in the international arena.
There are many description of the type of man he was and I don't believe I can add anything new to the very man opinions. He was certainly a great individual who was emphatic about his beliefs and views. He was a man who promoted a free Africa and was outspoken against colonialism. his vision of a United Africa is indeed the most successful option for the continent, for the future. He financially and otherwise supported many African countries and he also stood firm in his beliefs and views on the world.
In light of his international presence he was undoubtedly a great personality with strength of character, unwavering and unapologetic in pursuance of this. Compared to many of his counterparts he was a great leader, few of which stand presently.
Gaddafi at home: The man has been described with such contrast across his country. He improved the lives of Libyan's and under him it's economy was robust. Literacy levels and the lifestyle of Libyans was indeed among the best. On the other hand he was cruel, harsh and brutal against anyone who was opposed to him. Many of his own government personnel have described the fear with which they lived while operating the country under him.
This makes him, for me, a man obsessed with power and control. A leader who lacked appreciation for democracy and whose agenda was not to serve the people but to rule them.
My conclusion is that he was an effective leader, but corrupted by power and also unfair and cruel.
Let us not forget that Muammar Gaddaffi was a man like everyone of us. Let us also not forget that his rule wasn't different from many other leader of our present world.
If we perhaps measure him against U.S presidents gone by, ie. Bush did his authority cause as much harm ?
Let us measure him against many other African leaders, was his rule much different ?
The Libyan operation which resulted in his death is by far no victory for a world crying for justice and equality.
The blaring images we were subjected to around his death leave, for me many questions about why he was killed, how he in fact died and most importantly whether or not Libya has achieved any great victory from his removal.
I have seen, heard and read much about the personality and his views on the international platform as well as his modus operandi within his own country.
Let us start with Muammar Gaddafi; Libyan leader in the international arena.
There are many description of the type of man he was and I don't believe I can add anything new to the very man opinions. He was certainly a great individual who was emphatic about his beliefs and views. He was a man who promoted a free Africa and was outspoken against colonialism. his vision of a United Africa is indeed the most successful option for the continent, for the future. He financially and otherwise supported many African countries and he also stood firm in his beliefs and views on the world.
In light of his international presence he was undoubtedly a great personality with strength of character, unwavering and unapologetic in pursuance of this. Compared to many of his counterparts he was a great leader, few of which stand presently.
Gaddafi at home: The man has been described with such contrast across his country. He improved the lives of Libyan's and under him it's economy was robust. Literacy levels and the lifestyle of Libyans was indeed among the best. On the other hand he was cruel, harsh and brutal against anyone who was opposed to him. Many of his own government personnel have described the fear with which they lived while operating the country under him.
This makes him, for me, a man obsessed with power and control. A leader who lacked appreciation for democracy and whose agenda was not to serve the people but to rule them.
My conclusion is that he was an effective leader, but corrupted by power and also unfair and cruel.
Let us not forget that Muammar Gaddaffi was a man like everyone of us. Let us also not forget that his rule wasn't different from many other leader of our present world.
If we perhaps measure him against U.S presidents gone by, ie. Bush did his authority cause as much harm ?
Let us measure him against many other African leaders, was his rule much different ?
The Libyan operation which resulted in his death is by far no victory for a world crying for justice and equality.
The blaring images we were subjected to around his death leave, for me many questions about why he was killed, how he in fact died and most importantly whether or not Libya has achieved any great victory from his removal.
No comments:
Post a Comment