Gaddafi’s exit Promises Progress for stunted Africa

By Valerian Kkonde

PEARL NEWS SERVICE

The events unfolding in Libya, borne out of the desire for political reforms, are giving Africa’s demagogues sleepless nights as their god-father is on the brink of extinction.

For 42 years, Col. Muammar el Gaddafi has turned Libya into his personal property sharing it out with his family and cohorts. He has even had the guts to sponsor dictatorship, on top of terrorism, thus subjecting Africa to a cycle of poverty, instability and stagnation.

Gaddafi’s system of operation which knows no law, boundaries and turns him into a god has been the godsend for Africa’s dictators who want everything for themselves. After Libya, Africa’s demagogues have taken to China which too has no respect for its citizens.

What shake Africa’s dictators is the disappearance of the oil dollars that have been flowing in from the god-like Gaddafi and the prospect of being the next in the target of uprooting dictators from the continent.

There is nothing as painful as seeing emaciated, destitute and hapless Africans amid plenty. The rulers rob their people of even the basics for a dignified existence. As a result, people look to Europe and America as the destinations, often over stretching the services and manpower of the reluctant hosts.

While the decision to hit Gaddafi out of power could have been necessitated by the pro-reform demonstrations, it is clear that the need to send a stern warning to the rest of his ilk in Africa was also intended. And already shock waves are being felt by those in the club of “revolutionaries who do not retire, but have to rule for life.”

Reading president Museveni’s March 20 dossier on the events in Libya, fear of what the future holds for him was evident. Museveni is a close Gaddafi ally, and has ruled Uganda for the last 25 years in a style closely modeled on Gaddafi’s. After Museveni did away with presidential term limits, it is evident that he too intends to rule for life. This explains his concern over the events in Libya.

It is also probable that Museveni is trying to make the most out of the pending departure of Gaddafi. He is trying to mend his strained relationship with the Muslims in Uganda by commiserating with them; many Muslims are not concerned with the suppression Libyans have endured under Gaddafi but the oil dollars.

There is nothing other than fear for the life after state house that leads Museveni to fault the pro-democracy allies on the use of “excessive force to hit Gaddafi.” Way back in 1979, while the minister for Defense, Museveni shot dead peaceful demonstrators who were denouncing the overthrow of Yusuf Lule as president. It was the same story as people demonstrated against the destruction of Mabira forest reserve to replace it with Mehta’s sugar cane plantations.

In September 2009, over twenty people were shot dead for demonstrating against his hatred for Buganda which led him to create puppet kings in Bugerere. In March 2010, again people were murdered by the presidential guard brigade as they mourned the destruction of the Kasubi Royal tombs.

On all these incidents, people did not even have sticks.

In the just concluded presidential, parliamentary and local council elections, the rate of government inspired-rigging and violence as well as the thwarting of the people’s will all point to the fact that Museveni will stop at nothing to close others out of the leadership of Uganda. He no longer hides his belief that he alone is capable of leading.

At every turn, one would not fail to see the anti tanks, armoured vehicles, rocket launchers, tanks and air to surface missiles staged to suppress the people’s will. This time round elections meant war.

But the last 25 years have not provided anything unique to prove his worth, let alone the destruction of some of the assets like the railways, Uganda Airlines, industrial Jinja, forests, wetlands and agriculture the country prided in.

President Museveni’s criticism of Gaddafi’s use of live bullets on peaceful demonstrators and the foreign intervention in African politics smack of hypocrisy and betray his fear of loosing hold on power which is staring him in the face. Museveni has shot peaceful demonstrators over and over. Where does he get the moral authority to take on Gaddafi? It seems Museveni is abandoning his close friend at a time he needs him most.

From another perspective, these are great signs that should be applauded; it is an indication that President Barack Obama is walking his talk of doing away with dictators, and the message has been received. Africa and Uganda in particular, has cause to smile with hope for a bright future.

Right now Libya is on fire but it was Ivory Coast that was set ablaze first. Where has the African Union been all along? In any case, how many of the members on the Committee that was being sent to intervene in Libya have a record of respect for human freedoms and operational democracy back home? Many, if not all of them, are doing exactly what Gaddafi has been doing this long. They further admire his magic that has enabled him to clock four decades at the helm. The AU should not be given a chance to delay the rebirth of Libya, a new era minus Gaddafi, his family and cronies. In fact it is the whole of Africa being reborn.

It is unfortunate that America, Britain, France and allies waited for the human cost to get to that in liberating Libya before they could strike. It will also be a grave insult to the Africans if another demagogue is propped up by these super powers as has always been the case.

 Following the people’s power that forced out Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak and Tunisia’s Beni Ali and now raging on in Libya, Africans have   renewed their hope in the continent which for long has won the accolade of the laughing stock of the world. And for this tide of renaissance to make an impact on the continent, other countries with life presidents must be denied breathing space.  

Uganda too is in dire need of this revolution. The country has also become the property of Museveni and his close allies. Elections are no longer a means of giving people a chance to choose their leaders, but an opportunity for those close to the rulers to make money and impose themselves on the populace.

A number of reports about the oil discoveries promise trouble even before actual drilling! The goons have positioned themselves for the spoils to the detriment of the country. This is exactly what Gaddafi has been doing with the Libyan Arab Africa Investment Company. With capital of over $ 80 billion, and businesses all over the world, it has been controlled by Gaddafi, his family and cohorts.

 A Libya-like uprising will settle matters in Uganda and give us a new beginning, purpose and direction.