Feature Article of Wednesday, 29 July 2015
Columnist: Ntenhene Felix
Opinion
Just a few days ago, Saif Islam Gaddafi, a son of Libyans late president Muammar al- Gaddafi was sentenced to death by firing squad and a fine of 23,481. Saif Islam was accused in the trial of recruiting mercenaries, attacking civilians’ targets from the air, forming armed groups and shooting into demonstrating crowds.
Muammar Gaddafi was one of Africa’s great leaders with his unrelenting passion for the liberation of Africa from the influence of the Western countries. This attempt made him an enemy of the West and through the NATO he was killed.
Libya has never sensed the aroma of peace after the death of Gaddafi. Despite its economic fortunes, it is now a failed state and has witnessed so many atrocities, murder, and seasonal conflicts. People are now slaughtered in Libya like Ramadan rams and Christmas chickens.
Libya is now turning into a banana republic with two different governments and parliament houses. I know Libyans have regretted for killing their great leader Muammar Gaddafi, but it’s very shocking that in the wake of the unrest, the Libyan court will sentence the son of Muammar Gaddafi to death.
The judgment portrays the story of Nicolo Machiavelli in his book “The Prince”. Machiavelli admonished that when you kill a Prince you must get rid of his family. That is exactly what the people of Libya are doing and trust me they are just spelling doom. There will never be peace in Libya if Saif Islam Gaddafi is killed. His father’s death is still painful in the hearts of many Libyans and Africans.
It’s going to fuel a serious vendetta and the innocent ones are surely going to be victims. Saif Islam has so many sympathizers in Libya and he is known for his modesty, brilliance, and his patriotism.
There is evidence that he proposed many democratic reforms in Libya which included his father stepping down but like most sons he couldn’t force it on his Dad. Saif and his Dad both loved Libya and Africa as a whole and I urge the people of Libya to reverse this judgment if they truly want peace.
Libya without Gaddafi is just like a face without a nose, very ugly and it will look uglier when his son is killed. This is the time for national healing and reconciliation. We can’t accept this impure means when we claim to be striving for pure ends. Libya must work again.
A country which citizens used to enjoy good standard of living are now refugees in the diaspora. The story of Africa sounds like a barren woman who strives to get a baby; she gives birth to the baby and then poisons it. Gaddafi is killed and now the country is dismantled.
This is the time AU has to speak. Gaddafi was the brain behind the reformation of OAU to AU through the Sirte Declaration which paved way for the changes in the aims of AU from political independence to economic and security. Gaddafi’s assassination must see justice and his son must be dealt with in a moderate manner rather than death penalty.
Otherwise, the people of Libya will regret wiping off the Gaddafi family and of course you will never know the importance of your buttocks till you get boils on it, which by then could be too late. God bless Africa! “We are not children of a lesser god”.
Ntenhene Felix
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KNUST.