Where is the African Unity (AU) to stop Africans in Libya from victimization and annihilation?
When the Libyan uprising began six months ago following the Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions, it was difficult to envisage that the opulent rule of Ghadaffi would come to an end. The political support for Ghadaffi by the African Union was explicit as described in the union’s charter not to support any rebellious movement against African governments and for a man like Colonel Ghadaffi who is renowned of having good ties with many African Leaders and a strong advocate for the formation of the African Union (AU) makes the (AU) indecisive in showing outright support for the rebels. (Photo: Dr Augustine Kamara, author)
Unfortunately this looked like a mistake by African Leaders, as Ghadaffi’s rule of forty years with grandiose and mind set of tyranny, was bent on crushing the rebels revolt as described by Ghadaffi’s son Saif Al Islam that his father’s government would fight to the last man other than giving in to the rebels. The horrendous massacres perpetrated by Ghadaffi’s forces against the innocent civilian population, mandated the French, Britain, and Arab including the USA to enforce a no fly zone to avoid annihilation of the Libyan civilian population by Ghadaffi’s forces.
However the Africans from south of the Sahara trapped within Libya are now perceived as Ghadaffi’s mercenaries by the rebels and have to pay the heavy price of victimization, ranging from torture, rape and ultimate death. Many of these Africans have left their countries pursuing greener Pasteur’s abroad. Where is the (AU) now? As most of her children need clemency to remain alive. The reality on the ground must be pursued and the intervention by the forces that have backed the rebels’ movement must play the vital role in seeing innocent Africans lives be spared.
The AU should join the Arab League and other world organizations for a peaceful resolution in saving innocent lives. The rebels must accept the fact that even though they are more of Arabic origin, they are living within the African continent and there are black Libyans as well they should also note that the cause of their revolution was to oppose oppression .So it is a duty for the rebels to honor human dignity and stop victimization of their brothers and sisters from poor Africa who may not be mercenaries as accused.
By Dr. Augustine A. Kamara, USA
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