Today marks the 1 year anniversary of the uprising that started in Benghazi Libya, and that lead to the deposition of Muammar el-Gaddafi, Libya's strong man of some 42years. Today also marks 24 hours since the release of a 45 page report by Amnesty international, accusing Libya's militiamen of broad human rights abuses against those they suspect of being sympathetic to the former leader.
Amnesty International have described interviewing victims of torture occurring in several of Libya's town's and cities.. torture akin to that which Muammar Gaddafi was accused of meting out on his people.
Now, the world faces a challenge that surely was to be expected!??. Muammar Gaddafi's exit from power was a profound enough event as to need to be carefully managed by not only Libya's transitional government but also the external parties that helped depose him.
Amnesty International and other human rights advocates have asked Libya's current leaders to "show the political will to prosecute people who commit serious crimes regardless of their role in the uprising". For the sake of the rights, security and well being of ordinary Libyans, it is time for that call to start being echoed by the wider international community and organs of international justice.
Friday, 17 February 2012
Thursday, 12 January 2012
Evil occupies created vacuum
The current crises to hit the west African country of Nigeria, which sees it grapple with the senseless killings meted out on its citizenry by the Islamist Boko Haram,as well as having to deal with removal of fuel subsidy in the midst of profligacy by a corrupt government, is put in perspective.
It seems that years of corruption by successive governments that have ruled Nigeria since its independence, and an amazing lack of will of its citizenry to call its leaders to account, has led to a situation that threatens the fragile peace and weak stability that the country has lived with since the end of its civil war 32 years ago.
Taking into consideration the much publicised kidnapping of oil workers and ordinary citizens in Nigeria's south, and the senseless carnage meted out on ordinary Nigerians by a 'Boko Haram' that is beginning to reach beyond its northern Nigeria enclave, One feels that evil has indeed occupied a vacuum...A vacuum created by successive governments that have had scant regard for the basic needs of its citizenry. A government made up of individuals that continually come up with innovative ways keeping power and untold riches gained by dishonest means, for itself.
In the current protests over removal of fuel subsidy, one however sees an opportunity..
An opportunity for ordinary Nigerians to hold their government to account as regards what would be done with money saved from fuel subsidy removal, and beyond that to seriously question government about the way they are being governed.
One feels that this, more than any crack down on the likes of Boko Haram, would guarantee peace, unity and achievement of the much vaunted potential of the ordinary Nigerian.
It seems that years of corruption by successive governments that have ruled Nigeria since its independence, and an amazing lack of will of its citizenry to call its leaders to account, has led to a situation that threatens the fragile peace and weak stability that the country has lived with since the end of its civil war 32 years ago.
Taking into consideration the much publicised kidnapping of oil workers and ordinary citizens in Nigeria's south, and the senseless carnage meted out on ordinary Nigerians by a 'Boko Haram' that is beginning to reach beyond its northern Nigeria enclave, One feels that evil has indeed occupied a vacuum...A vacuum created by successive governments that have had scant regard for the basic needs of its citizenry. A government made up of individuals that continually come up with innovative ways keeping power and untold riches gained by dishonest means, for itself.
In the current protests over removal of fuel subsidy, one however sees an opportunity..
An opportunity for ordinary Nigerians to hold their government to account as regards what would be done with money saved from fuel subsidy removal, and beyond that to seriously question government about the way they are being governed.
One feels that this, more than any crack down on the likes of Boko Haram, would guarantee peace, unity and achievement of the much vaunted potential of the ordinary Nigerian.
Friday, 21 October 2011
Now to the 'What next?'
The demise of Muammar Qaddafi was confirmed yesterday in Surt Libya, amidst jubilation from Libyan citizens who have borne the brunt of his rule of 4 decades,and which saw his oversize personality cast a shadow over this country of 6.4million people.
Leaders from around the world, many who did business with Qaddafi whilst his image in the last 5 years seemed to be undergoing something of a Renaissance, made statements which suggest that Libya and indeed the world are better off by the former Libyan leader's exit.
The hard questions have however slowly started to be asked about the way forward for a country that for 42 years, was held together by one man, by sheer force of iron will and cult of personality.
Honest observers are in no doubt as to the hard road ahead for Libya, and what the world would have to work hard at, is to find away to support the National Transitional Government to achieve justice, fairness and the rule of law. Only these would prevent Libya from descending into a chaos that looks very likely.
Muammar Quadaffi has played his part. He ruled as he thought to, and died as no one ought to. His death, one feels however, was by a manner he perhaps deserved.
It is now time for the Libyan people, currently governed by the NTC to play their part.. so, for Libya, what next?
Leaders from around the world, many who did business with Qaddafi whilst his image in the last 5 years seemed to be undergoing something of a Renaissance, made statements which suggest that Libya and indeed the world are better off by the former Libyan leader's exit.
The hard questions have however slowly started to be asked about the way forward for a country that for 42 years, was held together by one man, by sheer force of iron will and cult of personality.
Honest observers are in no doubt as to the hard road ahead for Libya, and what the world would have to work hard at, is to find away to support the National Transitional Government to achieve justice, fairness and the rule of law. Only these would prevent Libya from descending into a chaos that looks very likely.
Muammar Quadaffi has played his part. He ruled as he thought to, and died as no one ought to. His death, one feels however, was by a manner he perhaps deserved.
It is now time for the Libyan people, currently governed by the NTC to play their part.. so, for Libya, what next?
Sunday, 14 August 2011
The evolution of a mess
The civil war that has been raging in Libya since the early weeks of the 'Arab spring' revolutions is put in perspective.
This war of attrition of sorts has had so many peaks and troughs, with neither Gaddafi's forces nor forces of the Libyan Transitional Council making significant gains militarily as to convey a perception of impending victory.
There seems however one inevitability.. Libya as we know it is sliding inexorably into chaos and instability.
This is a situation fed by several factors, which include the arrogance of Muammar Gaddafi which brought about this war and still contributes to perpetuating it. Also, NATO which by its mandate ensures that forces of the Libyan Transitional Council continue to fight, even if not supported enough to unseat Gaddafi by force. Third is the steady flow of recognition akin almost to a herd mentality from western countries including Turkey, that declares that Gaddafi must go, without factoring in the sizable support for the regime in and around Tripoli. This is recognition that is not backed by the guarantee of unity of elements of the Libyan Transitional Council.
All of these have contributed to creating a paradox...
An intractable situation has been created, which could well be inimical to the long term peace, prosperity and self actualisation of the ordinary man, woman and child in Libya.
This war of attrition of sorts has had so many peaks and troughs, with neither Gaddafi's forces nor forces of the Libyan Transitional Council making significant gains militarily as to convey a perception of impending victory.
There seems however one inevitability.. Libya as we know it is sliding inexorably into chaos and instability.
This is a situation fed by several factors, which include the arrogance of Muammar Gaddafi which brought about this war and still contributes to perpetuating it. Also, NATO which by its mandate ensures that forces of the Libyan Transitional Council continue to fight, even if not supported enough to unseat Gaddafi by force. Third is the steady flow of recognition akin almost to a herd mentality from western countries including Turkey, that declares that Gaddafi must go, without factoring in the sizable support for the regime in and around Tripoli. This is recognition that is not backed by the guarantee of unity of elements of the Libyan Transitional Council.
All of these have contributed to creating a paradox...
An intractable situation has been created, which could well be inimical to the long term peace, prosperity and self actualisation of the ordinary man, woman and child in Libya.
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
A favourable wind...
Today's announcement of Hamas/Fatah reconciliation is a favourable wind that blows, even if uncertainties abound as to how peace between the factions would be entrenched and work to achieve Palestinian statehood and peace with Israel.
As AlJazeera's Marwan Bishara so pertinently suggested, it makes sense for the two main Palestinian factions to see reconciliation as strengthening the Palestinian cause at a time of sweeping political change spreading through the Arab street.
The position of the United States as of today is at best, non-committal. Israeli Prime minister Netanyahu has already declared in no uncertain terms that Fatah would have to make a stark choice.. Peace with Israel OR peace with Hamas. Never both.
Whatever the uncertainties, including the practicalities of a workable Hamas/Fatah coalition under an Israeli occupation, one thing remains inexorable...
...There was never any real hope of realisation of Palestinian aspirations and true peace with Israel, without the reconciliation of the two main Palestinian factions.
Should reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah be established and endure, history will deem, and with good reason, the Arab 'spring', not the United States nor the Quartet, as the catalyst for the achieving of Palestinian statehood and true peace with the state of Israel.
As AlJazeera's Marwan Bishara so pertinently suggested, it makes sense for the two main Palestinian factions to see reconciliation as strengthening the Palestinian cause at a time of sweeping political change spreading through the Arab street.
The position of the United States as of today is at best, non-committal. Israeli Prime minister Netanyahu has already declared in no uncertain terms that Fatah would have to make a stark choice.. Peace with Israel OR peace with Hamas. Never both.
Whatever the uncertainties, including the practicalities of a workable Hamas/Fatah coalition under an Israeli occupation, one thing remains inexorable...
...There was never any real hope of realisation of Palestinian aspirations and true peace with Israel, without the reconciliation of the two main Palestinian factions.
Should reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah be established and endure, history will deem, and with good reason, the Arab 'spring', not the United States nor the Quartet, as the catalyst for the achieving of Palestinian statehood and true peace with the state of Israel.
Friday, 28 January 2011
The fuel that feeds dictators
The still evolving situation in Tunisia that saw President Zine-el-Abidine Ben Ali flee the country after a popular uprising precipitated by an act of self immolation and driven by angry young Tunisians, is put in perspective.
The happenings in Tunisia have resulted in copy cat acts of self immolation and subsequent street protests in other parts of the Arab world.. from Algeria to Jordan and Yemen. Yesterday Egypt was rocked by violent street protests from Cairo to Suez, Al Arish and Mansour...
The rest of the world is watching on in at times nervous anticipation and it is difficult at this stage to predict what these protests would mean for the regions autocrats and for that matter, peace on the streets.
As surely the uncertainty, so also the need for a bit of contemplation..
A critical question worth seeking an answer to is: At what point in the course of a relationship between leader and led, does a leader begin to feel detached from the people he or she leads?.. A detachment that breeds an 'insulation' from the everyday basic concerns of the led and a bristling, even violent crack down, at any suggestions that perhaps things should be done differently? All this, whilst amassing stupendous wealth.. far more riches than is needed or indeed deserved..
The answer to this question could be due to several factors and perhaps one common denominator..A complacent and unquestioning population.
A complacent and unquestioning population is fodder for dictators. It is perhaps the paramount fuel that feeds corruption and tyranny.
The happenings in Tunisia have resulted in copy cat acts of self immolation and subsequent street protests in other parts of the Arab world.. from Algeria to Jordan and Yemen. Yesterday Egypt was rocked by violent street protests from Cairo to Suez, Al Arish and Mansour...
The rest of the world is watching on in at times nervous anticipation and it is difficult at this stage to predict what these protests would mean for the regions autocrats and for that matter, peace on the streets.
As surely the uncertainty, so also the need for a bit of contemplation..
A critical question worth seeking an answer to is: At what point in the course of a relationship between leader and led, does a leader begin to feel detached from the people he or she leads?.. A detachment that breeds an 'insulation' from the everyday basic concerns of the led and a bristling, even violent crack down, at any suggestions that perhaps things should be done differently? All this, whilst amassing stupendous wealth.. far more riches than is needed or indeed deserved..
The answer to this question could be due to several factors and perhaps one common denominator..A complacent and unquestioning population.
A complacent and unquestioning population is fodder for dictators. It is perhaps the paramount fuel that feeds corruption and tyranny.
Tuesday, 28 December 2010
Death throes..
The current stand-off in post-election Ivory coast is put in perspective.
Laurent Gbagbo remains defiant in spite of pressure from the international community, urging him to step down following elections he was widely believed to have lost to Alassane Ouattara.
Such is the stand-off in Ivory Coast at the moment, that analysts fear that another civil war could ensue less than 10 years after the last. Fatalities are reported to stand at near 200, and around 17,000 Ivoriens have been reported to have fled into neighbouring Liberia..
Pressure has mounted on Gbagbo to step down, not least from Regional leaders who have threatened to use "legitimate force" to oust him should he continue to refuse to leave the seat of power.
Time will tell how this will play out, however something worth noting seems to be occurring on the continent.. The era of authoritarian rule that shows scant regard for democratic principles is in its death throes..
From Kenya to Zimbabwe and Guinea (which has just completed its first democratic election since its founding in 1958) questions are being asked post-elections that were not asked in the past..
Next stop in 2011... Nigeria. Watch this space!
Laurent Gbagbo remains defiant in spite of pressure from the international community, urging him to step down following elections he was widely believed to have lost to Alassane Ouattara.
Such is the stand-off in Ivory Coast at the moment, that analysts fear that another civil war could ensue less than 10 years after the last. Fatalities are reported to stand at near 200, and around 17,000 Ivoriens have been reported to have fled into neighbouring Liberia..
Pressure has mounted on Gbagbo to step down, not least from Regional leaders who have threatened to use "legitimate force" to oust him should he continue to refuse to leave the seat of power.
Time will tell how this will play out, however something worth noting seems to be occurring on the continent.. The era of authoritarian rule that shows scant regard for democratic principles is in its death throes..
From Kenya to Zimbabwe and Guinea (which has just completed its first democratic election since its founding in 1958) questions are being asked post-elections that were not asked in the past..
Next stop in 2011... Nigeria. Watch this space!
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