“Killing and treatment of Gaddafi blow to NTC” by Nkwazi Mhango‏

Although former Libya strongman Muammar Gaddaffi was almost hated by everybody except those who were closer to him, what the new regime did to display his remains for public to ridicule was unreasonable. There might be three reasons as to why Gaddafi was killed and publicly displayed.

One, it is either the order came from above to have Gaddafi killed or it shows how disorganized National Transition Council is. Two, the display of Gaddafi’s corpse might have resulted from disorganization, vengeance, even sheer brutality and lack of vision, reason and humanity. If anything, this is a big blow to the intergrity and preparedness of National Transitional Council (NTC) to run and successfully reconcile a divided country.

The author personally needs to divulge his interests. In short he did not like Gaddafi, not just he hated him because of being a human being, but a tyrant. Again, despite author’s freedom to hate or love, he did not like the way Gaddafi’s remains were abusedly maltreated so to speak. Gaddafi is still a human being even posthumously. This is the fact like it or not. Gaddafi therefore, deserved to be treated humanly just like any other human being. What the new regime did is to punish the corpse, whereby the law is clear that once someone is dead, his sins or offences are dropped. This is why you cannot hear ICC baying for Gaddafi’s blood anymore. Actually there was no logic or necessity to dress down a desperate dead body. Indeed, this is a bad precedent NTC has set for its leaders in the future.

For whoever with rational thinking that saw how Gaddafi’s body and those of his defence minister, Abu Bakr Younus and security advisor who also was his son Muattassim, hated the act of displaying the copses for people to photograph and scoff at. Half naked and bullet ladden, the bodies were displayed for longtime  against Islamic practices. Though many Libyans said Gaddafi was not a Muslim, thanks to their pent-up anger, he was a human being and the head of the state. This is the fact that no sane person can dispute.

Why then did the new regime allow this inhumane treatment to dead bodies? Dead bodies are no flowers or something good to look at given that everybody will die and nobody knows when and how. Even when Gaddafi took power, abused it and clung to it, he did not know he would end his life the way he did. If he knew, he’d not have behaved the way he did.

Looking at how Gaddafi’s body was publicly displayed, ridiculed and abused, reconciliation for Libya will become very difficult if we face it that Gaddafi still has sympathizers, especially those that used to benefit from his rule however brutal it was. What adds insult to injury is the fact that even children were brought in the supermarket where the bodies were for long displayed. Indeed, if anything, this is but abusing children and teaching them such bad behaviour and cruelty.

We all know that Libyans suffered a lot under Gaddafi. It is obvious they had vengeance against Gaddafi. Yet again, one must avoid behaving like a madman so that people onlooking at him should nary fail to notice the difference. It’s sad that even the champions of human rights, the West which helped to topple Gaddafi, did not see this anomaly! They were heard demanding that an investigation be conducted into the death of Gaddaffi. Ironically the West led by the US wants an investigation. Why didn’t America conduct investigation in the death of Osama bin Laden? Where is the rule of law that emphasizes presumption of innocence of a suspect till court rules otherwise? If such countries can protect the rights
of animals, homosexuals and other immoral behaviour, how come they did not see this barbarism committed by the institution that is expected to prepare the country for elections?

Ironically, most of the people forming the transition government, apart from working with Gaddafi before ditching him, are the same people who made Gaddafi a stinking dictator. They don’t ask themselves what would happen to them shall the masses decide to completely scap Gaddafi’s legacy. This is possible given that Gaddafi’s autocratic rule was defined by many cheerleaders and bootlickers among who are in the current regime. Indeed, NTC has commenced the journey to “heal” Libya by violations of human rights. Will this heal or divide Libya even more? Without removing that stain of blood, whatever NTC thinks about doing is going to be weighed in the prism of this way. The cubism Libya is in, has to be dealt with much care and emphasis be put on delivering justice that Gaddafi failed to deliver.

Nkwazi Mhango is a Tanzanian living in Canada. He writes regularly for “The African Executive” and also has a blog entitled “Free Thinking Unabii”. He is a regular contributor to AfroSpear.

“African rulers, hypocrisy, greed and myopia” by Nkwazi Mhango

Before being booted out of power, Libyan tyrant, Muammar Gadaffi, lived a deceptive life by sleeping in the tent as symbol of simplicity and likeness with common Libyans. Before falling from grace, no common citizen had ever peeped in the mansions of his children despite being built and kept by the taxes of the common man and woman. Common people were not allowed to get close to these highly guarded villas, Gadaffi’s children used to either live in or use in summer.

Gadaffi’s deception is a typical replica of the lives of the relatives of African presidents. Though they rub shoulders with common people during campaigns, once they ascend to power, they deny the hoi polloi access even to the state houses under the pretext of security. Is the security concern or fear of opening their secrets, especially the high life they live?

Libyans did not know the guy they use to refer to as a beloved leader, lived in a manmade paradise whilst the majority lived in penury! So too, Libyans did not know that Gadaffi’s children lived like billionaires, despite doing nothing except allocating themselves some unconstitutional positions thanks to their father’s presidency. Indeed, Libyans did not know that Gadaffi was travelling on the extra and utra luxurious jet full of expensive gadgets. His was well and more furnished than that of the president of the richest nation on earth, Air Force One, US presidential jet.

One thing is obvious. Libyans knew Gadaffi robbed money he used to squander in many African countries in the name of spreading Islam through unification of Africa and buying leverage from destitute African rulers. Libyans knew this too well. Those who tried to stand in his way saw the gallows. Those who supported this megalomia are now heading for gallows, shall the new regime decided so. While Gadaffi did all this to and for Africa, he did not regard himself an “African”. When cornered the vulture cries the wolf. Gadaffi was an Arab, till Arab League abandoned him at the very moment of need. He was quoted as thus in March: “From today I am not an Arab but an African.” This racist remarks came after Gadaffi threatened Europe that he would deludge it with “ignorant Africans” running away from poverty.

For the first time, Africans who goofed thinking Gadaffi was an African, got their message clearly and bruntly. Despite this insult, African rulers did not hate or love him except his petrodollars. Either they ignored him or he outsmarted them, when he invited them to yum-yum and whiffs of money in his home town of Sirte in the name of African Unification. Gadaffi’s extravagance in the name of Africa and Islam is costing Africa dearly. The new regime has openly shown hatred to African countries as its quid pro quo for supporting Gadaffi.

In essence, just like other African potantates, Gadaffi was a good swindler and hypocrite. He was able to extravagate billions of dollars building many mosques whilst he kept idols as opposed to Islam he served. How could Gadaffi be a good, even a normal Muslim whilst his house was full of idols glorifying him as oppsed to Islam? How would he be able to steal money to buy golden idols like Nebuchadnezzar and at the same time remain a Muslim? How would he be a Muslim by surrounding himself with women as opposed to Islamic code that does not allow women and men to mix?

The irony is AU and Muslims that used to benefit from Gadaffi’s charity were not ready to tell him the truth. How would they cut the hand that used to feed them even if it was dirty? Muslims can defend themselves that they did not know Gadaffi was keeping idols. What of this open secret of being accompanied by lady bodyguards?Another irony is the fact that when Gadaffi was overpowered, the same blind Muslim leaders were heard inspiring their fellowers to pray for him. It was too late and this is hypocrisy for the other side of beneficiaries of looted money.

After all, Gadaffi will remember AU for one thing, it did not abandon him at the time of need when the whole world was against him. Why didn’t AU recognize National Transitional Council of Libya? The answer is simple that most of African rulers were on Gadaffi’s payroll and they are like Gadaffi waiting for what happened to him, to happen to them. Therefore they woud not support the same weapon that is directed to them.

What do you think of the rulers of Algeria, Burkinafaso, Chad, Congo, DRC, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Morocco, Mauritania, Rwanda, Togo, Sudan Kaskazini, Uganda and Zimbabwe? Can presidents of aforelisted countries laugh at Gadaffi or avoid what befell him if their citizenry decided to get rid of dictators? If they do, well, it will be madness of its kind.

Gadaffi’s true self reveals the true self of African rulers who live more posh lives than those financing them. The presidents of rich countries do not have as many bodyguards or long motorcades as African tyrants have. African rulers lack vision and good plans. They only know how to exploit and rob their hoi polloi.

It is sad for people like Gadaffi to accuse the West for the miseries of African people who are suffering, while they are the authors of all these miseries. Libyans reached at the point where they could go without salaries while Gadaffi and his dynasty were extravagating!

Although Gadaffi liked to be referred to as beloved leader, he was but a common thug who hijacked his people for over four decades. His African counterparts should brace themselves for what happened to Gadaffi. The time for turning all stone is coming. Who will survive it in Africa? How many African tyrants have allowed their offices to be a family business where their wives, children and friends robs the way they deem fit? The end is approaching. Those with ears should heed this.

Nkwazi Mhango is a Tanzanian living in Canada. He writes regularly for “The African Executive” and also has a blog entitled “Free Thinking Unabii”. He is a regular contributor to AfroSpear.

“Gadaffi, Dictators and faint memory if any” by Nkwazi Mhango

On 30^thDecember 2006, the world witnessed humiliating hanging of Saddam Hussein, former Iraq’s tyrant, after being arrested bolted in a spider hole. Many thought other dictators would make a note of the sudden and unceremoniously demise and downfall of Saddam. Go figure. They didn’t because of arrogance and faint memories.

In essence, dictators are like goats. When you shout at a goat to stop damaging your garden it thinks this was long time ago. When you shout again, the goat thinks this was yesterday. But when you pick a stone and land it on it, that’s when the goat realizes it is today. This was five years down the line. Just recently in February 2011, two strong men in Egypt and Tunisia were pulled down, not to mention Laurent Gbagbo in the Ivory Coast. Again, other dictators like Col. Muamar Gadaffi who followed six months thereafter, did not take any note, save to ridicule the wave and wind of change.

When Gadaffi, a self-made-king of kings of Africa was asked his views and how domino effects in Egypt and the impact they would have on his country, he dismissively retorted saying that Libya was not Egypt. Therefore, such a thing would not happen to his regime. Little did he know it would happen just within six months!

Now that Libya’s tyrant Gadaffi has fallen from grace quickly and unceremoniously, many would think other waiting potentates would take a note. Their mindsets make them blind and thus do not to see the impending danger that always hovers over their nasty regimes. Are the seating spared of this hallucination and blindness? Nay!

Just like allied forces did to Saddam, Gadaffi was brought down after international forces struck him, especially NATO, that broke the backbone of his regime. Now that Gadaffi’s rule is history, will he and his sons face the same fate Saddam an his stupid kids faced? Will the waiting dictators make a note of what transpired in Libya really? Methinks, nay. If anything, African dictators will not miss Gadaffi, but the petrodollars he stole from his poor people and used to throw at them so as to buy their leverage.

If dictators had any memory, Africa South of Saharan dictators would make a note that what they regard as powerful regimes they man, are but houses of cards. They will crumble just easily shall the hoi polloi decided to take on them. Again, will they take a note? Nay, they won’t. Why? Because most if not all are but megalomaniac, full of myopia and hallucination to put it simple. Unfortunately, dictators think they are smart while in actual fact are but dolts. Take it from me. Many dictators still wrongly think like Gadaffi used to think, that what happened in Libya cannot happen in their countries.

What happened in Libya though leaves one question, when will people in SSA take on their dictators? This is very important. For there are many of Gadaffi like in SSA in countries like Uganda, Rwanda, DRC, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Senegal, Ethiopia, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, The Gambia, Gabon, Togo and Sudan. So too, in the same Maghreb, are countries such as Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and Syria in the north. Will those dictators ruining those countries take a heed? To know how actually goof, look at how Yemeni Dictator Abdullah Saleh was badly injured and yet still wants to return in office despite all noises of Saleh go.

Just like other dictators in the Sub Saharan Africa, Saleh still thinks that, despite the writings on the wall, his regime will not crumble just like Gadaffi’s. Those in the south still goof saying what happened in Maghreb are for Arabs not Africans. In simple terms, dictators in the south, like fallen Gadaffi, are authoring their own demise and exit. Will the wave and wind of change sweep across Sahara?

Why did Gadaffi repressive regime crumble easily in the first place? Firstly, it had two cracks within. One was the fact that power was within the hands of a family and a few congliore. Secondly, NATO’s ferocious attacks. Though NATO played a decisive role in suffocating Gadaffi, looking at what happened in Egypt and Tunisia. Cracks within the regimes are the major cause of their demise so to speak.

There are some lessons from the fall of Gadaffi and other dictators. First of all, many weapons dictators pile up to defend themselves, are the best capital when citizenry decide to take on them.

Secondly, the vacuums and vaingloriousness dictators create is another nugget when it comes to topple them. For when faced with threats of being toppled, the system that depends on one person, finds itself overwhelmed with the burden of decision making at the time of emergency. The shape and scope of the system is basically determined by one person.

Thirdly, apart from being delusional, dictators are like barking dog that does not bite. They use all types of threats whilst at hearts they know how bogus and coward they are.

Fourthly, almost all dictators are cowards that hide their weakness behind immense powers they command.

Fifthly, all dictators live in the state of hallucination and phantasmagoria, believing they won’t fall at any circumstance, hence become myopic about their fates and plights. So too, even though their regimes are the most hated, dictators daydream that they are loved. It is even sad to find dictators like Yoweri Museveni who toppled other dictators live just like them.

Sixth, African Union has proved to be as useless as never before. For when the crisises in Libya, Egypt and Tunisia started, it was left out, thereby the Arab League taking over the role it would have played. Also it must be noted, AU was openly supporting dictators thanks to being comprised of many member countries ruled by dictators.

In sum, though Gadaffi is going down as one of the most autocratic ruler, he’ll be remembered for his support to liberation movements in good and bad light. A last killer fact is that Gadaffi despite all his extravagance, different from other African fallen dictators who left their countries in abject poverty, left billions of dollars the west froze and unfreeze for the new regime to begin with. This is the good side of the fallen tyrant.

Nkwazi Mhango is a Tanzanian living in Canada. He writes regularly for “The African Executive” and also has a blog entitled “Free Thinking Unabii”. He is a regular contributor to AfroSpear.

“Go Gaddafi Go!” by Nkwazi Mhango

Go Gadaffi go ye Muamar

Go without turning thy head back ever

The game is up and over sir

Go son of hell, a coward in your own light

Go Muamar go down standing like a dolt

In flames go down like that

In a shame go even faster

Go go Abuminyal go go and others will go

Museveni will go

Kagame will also go

Go leave the mark back

Go like a goon and a stooge

Go the ignoble way go.

Go the world will remember you

Just as a symbol of bulimia

Go son of man

Go Muamar go

It is time to go

Never look back go

Go Gadaffi go

It is time to go.

Go from thy man-made no-go

Go go it’s time to go

go go go go

Don’t turn back go!

Those that you called rats

Are now coming in scores

Who’s between you and em a rat?

Cornered is you tyrant

You are yourself indeed a rat

You called em drugged braggarts

Little knowing you are but a rat

You wrongly thought you’re smart

Cornered is you braggart

Go Gadaffi go.

Tripoli is a no-go

Libya is a no-go

It is only to Zimbabwe you can go

Go Gadaffi go

Go Gadaffi go

Go go go!

“If Gadaffi is right “drug addicts” soon will free Africa” by Nkwazi Mhango

Though it can be regarded as buffoonish, the idea that protesters in Libya are drugged young and jobless people sometimes makes sense. Even if this is not the case in Libya, there is a naked truth behind this.

When Muamar Gadaffi was cornered, he employed mercenaries in duped or dumped cops from South to thwart what he called duped and drugged youths. This happened when his praise singers went feral. Power is sweet. He had to do something even if it meant killing his own people he swore to defend. This is Africa where power, even cattle for some, have more meaning and value than bin-Adams.

An African potentate can use all tricks in books to put down revolts and riots in his country so as to survive.

Unprecedented wave of changes in Libya has caused mayhem. The flamboyant Gadaffi we used to know and admire, all of the sudden, disappeared so as to be replaced by erratic, lunatic and megalomaniac one. After going a little bit funny in the head, Gadaffi ordered the air force to bomb his country and countrymen and women.

From the blue, his son Al Seif Al Islam (the Sword of Islam) became second in command. He warned Libyans of Islamic caliphates the “aggressors” aim at forming, after toppling his father, before his father implicated Al Qaeda.  Many were buffled. How could the guy whose father used to dish money out for the “good cause” of Islam utter such words!

Remember it’s the same Gadaffi who once asserted that the Bible was doctored thus fake and everybody is supposed to become Muslim. This is the guy that opens every occasion using Bismillahi Rahmanir Rahim. What double standard!

We witnessed  the son of tyrant gimpingly yelling in the broad daylight. Where does he get locus standi? The much-guarded secret of dictatorship and one-family show laid bare opened for everybody to see.

While the bloodbath was going on in Libya, once again, AU proved its uselessness by not taking any action with regards to imbroglio and chaos in Libya. No doubts African Union (AU) has no difference from any caricature or toothless dog. As days go by, AU loses its meaning not to refer to reputation. If anything, AU has become but a project that causes a lot of sufferings for poor people in African countries.

When African rulers congregate at this shoptalk venue, they are paid per diem from their treasuries. This hard-earned money would help to alleviate the suffering the hoi polloi are facing. Farther on, they have even invited their wives-first ladies who, along with them, convene to do top shoptalk.

Ironically, when African rulers flocks Addis-Ababa, they do so under the pretext of discussing Africa’s problems whilst they are unable to tackle and address theirs at home. They failed even to realize the major aim of the formation of AU-unification of Africa. Where is the unification if South Sudan can secede?

Many question the sincerity and ability of African rulers.

Many African countries are ruled by dictators, thieves, ballot riggers and what not. Most of them are hated more than those already booted out as we witnessed in Egypt and Tunisia.

Farther on, many mistakenly thought that AU would play a pivot role thanks to what’s going on in Africa. One would think that AU, for example, would be the first entity to condemn what is going on in Libya. Sadly though, this did not happen.

Who will face Gadaffi that’s using mercenaries and his private army to butcher his own people? Gadaffi is felling his people openly whilst his counterparts, though not all, are doing secretly.

The day Gadaffi unleashed his terror and brutality, many goofed thinking AU would convene an ad hoc meeting to deal with the chicken eating its eggs. But nay, they feared he’d reveal their hidden scars. For most of them have been queuing on his door seeking favours and assistance. They are in his pocket apart from behaving like him. So if his power is petered out, they are the loser who will have no where to putter.

When Libyans decided to take on their megalomaniac longtime butcher, they wrongly hoped international community would timely lend them a hand. This did not happen sadly though. Instead, western powers whitewashed the whole thing by issuing harsh words of condemnations without taking any action! Too little too late. Mere words can nary break the bone.

What Libyans did not know for sure is the fact that the west is more interested in oil than the innocent blood that the errant tyrant is currently shedding. It is business as usual. Many have restrained their tongues fearing that if Gadaffi survives they might lose business deals.

Back to African potentates, who will point finger on Gadaffi whilst they are all dirty? Who will condemn his employment of mercenaries to kill and bomb his people?

More on Gadaffi’s assertion, if it is true that drugged young people can support anybody, Africa should brace herself for more troubles. For there are much unharnessed manpower in jobless, drugged youths and what not.

When Liberian butcher, Charles Taylor employed this lugubrious method the world did not take note. It was repeated in Congo by Denis Sassou Ngweso. Now it is at work in Libya, no surprise. This means every punk with a fat purse can employ jobless and drugged youths to take power or clinging unto it.

The other side of the coin is good. If all wretched Africans especially paupers, jobless and forgotten ones can gang up together to take on the regime torturing them, it will be real emancipation.

To conclude, it must be noted. Those that want to remain in power in Africa, they must make sure that they fight drugs and unemployment. Failure to this, they are authoring their own downfall for not tackling the duo. For their enemies will employ them to topple them.

For mercenaries can come and mess around making a killing by killing enemies (people) as it is happening in Libya. Sadly though is the involvement of Kenyans. This tarnishes the reputation of East Africa.

Nkwazi Mhango is a Tanzanian living in Canada. He writes regularly for “The African Executive” and also has a blog entitled “Free Thinking Unabii”. He is a regular contributor to AfroSpear.

“The Gaddaffi we did not know” by Nkwazi Mhango

No doubt that what is unfolding in Libya has left many shocked. Nobody would risk thinking that Libyan strong man Muamar Gadaffi would easily been cowered as it happened.

Two days after disgruntled Libyans took to the street, Gadaffi was nowhere to be seen or heard. Who would believe that Gadaffi who has been everywhere in Libya, from seating room to bathroom, would not come to defend his autocratic regime?

To save the face, his son Al- Saif Al- Islam Gadaffi (Uday Saddam Hussein of Libya) recorded a confused message that was aired by Libyan TV. Instead of helping his father, he poured yet more fuel to the already raging fire. He accused police and the army of being unprofessional. He played down the number of those that were felled by his father’s notorious regime. Who would believe that a sane person would argue that those that were killed in demonstrations were just 14 not 173?

Gadaffi’s son made some concessions after witnessing the fall of Benghazi, the second biggest city in Libya. He offered to change things to suit the demand of the mass. Nobody would subscribe to this bulimia thanks to the fact that Al Islam has no constitutional right to enter any concession with anybody. Being a tick on the back of his father, desperate Al Islam made up some allegations. He said that demonstrators were labouring under the influence of drugs and they wanted to divide Libya into Islamic caliphates. This is sick to hear. It is the first time Libyans and the world have ever heard of such a thing. Who is labouring under influence between demonstrators and Gadaffi’s son, who is labouring under power intoxication?

Gadaffi the son went a mile ahead claiming that Libya is going to be divided in tribe states. If this were the case it would make sense simply because his falling father is the fan of tribe chiefs in all Africa. Is this Iran-like hypocrisy, whereby Iranian barbaric regime supported demonstrators in Egypt? But when Iranians took to the street to do what the regime was supporting Egyptians for, it dispatched killers to finish them.

No doubt. Like Saddam Hussein, Gadaffi has proved to be a coward that can be easily cowered and toppled altogether. For those conversant with the dynamics and theatrics of powers, Gadaffi will nary take long before being bundled out with his cronies. Being a wino, Gadaffi threw vitriol onto Tunisians and Egyptians when they took on their dictators. Now his turn has come, he is nowhere to be seen.

Analysts agree on one thing. What is happening in Libya is but the beginning of the end. The fire that started in Tunisia will gut the whole continent. This means even dictators and thieves south of Sahara should brace themselves for the show.

Gadaffi has been in power for 42 years. Though he does not have constitutional title of king, he has ruled like other Arab kings. Libya became his private estate. Who doubts this should ask himself or herself, if this was not the case, where did his son get the power to address the nation?

Archaic and myopic as Gadaffi’s rule has always been, now it is on its deathbed waiting to be buried any soon from now. Let keep our fingers closed to see another dirty regime cascading down to historical dust bin. To cut the story short, Libyans will give the world the worthy and unique gift by booting out their long time thief-cum-tormentor.

Good news, it is true, is the fact that Libyan army has boycotted more orders aiming at shooting to kill more protesters. Allah Akbar. Gadaffi is now showing his hate to Islam. If he could offer millions of dollars to build mosques all over Africa, what is wrong with having an Islamic regime in Libya? This means, Gadaffi was taking Muslims and Islam for a ride. What is the logic behind his son’s warning that Libyans should not allow Islamic regime to be formed? Hypocrisy and sheer lies. Ironically the meaning of Al Saif Al Islam is the“Sword of Islam.” What hypocrisy.

Thank Lord that now the world knows Gadaffi, who was hidden behind power and fanfares resulting from it, as the coward and harsh Gadaffi who could order the army to shoot to kill.

Nkwazi Mhango is a Tanzanian living in Canada. He writes regularly for “The African Executive” and also has a blog entitled “Free Thinking Unabii”. He is a regular contributor to AfroSpear.

“Gadaffi needs to have his head examined” by Nkwazi Mhango

For long I’ve regarded Libyan strongman, Col. Muamar Gadaffi, as a lunatic thanks to his oft-controversial utterances. After the just ended African Union’s annual conference, he was quoted saying things no sane mind can say after his bid to lead this organization for two terms was turned down. He thereof backed off and said he’d turn to the Arab League to get the same. What went on thereafter, nobody knows.

Gadaffi recently proved my take when he created quite a stir averring that Nigeria be halved into two, thanks to religious carnage it recently experienced whereby hundreds of innocent people were savagely butchered. Gadaffi remarks on Nigeria and religious terrorism attracted attention of many more than the first one.

This time, Gadaffi found his match. The speaker of the senate David Mark had this to say about the man and his irresponsible and noxious remarks: “A mad man who said the same thing about England … and he said the same thing about every other country and then you want to give him any prominence at all, truly, in my candid opinion, I don’t think he deserves our attention.”

For a person of Mark’s stature to reach this dressing-down conclusion, Gadaffi verily crossed the red line. Mark is right. How can a sane person insult Nigeria especially at this time it is embroiled in constitutional crisis resulting from the health of its bedridden president surrounded by power brokers? Nigeria’s response to this salvo it called irresponsible did not end up calling Gadaffi a mad man. It also recalled its ambassador from Libya as protest to this megalomania. Many still wonder how such divisive element was made a chair of African Union whilst his solution has always been simple and nugatory.

African dictators have proved to be and rabid out of touch. At the same time, Ugandan strongman averred that donors must stop lecturing him about good governance since he is an expert in the area! He was quoted as thus: “Donor aid should come in areas where Uganda needs development not in governance, I am already an expert in governance, who can again lecture me about governance?” Is Museveni an expert in good governance or bad one? Isn’t this mania really? If anything, Museveni is an expert in but manipulation, intimidation, corruption and what not.

More on Gadaffi. He’s always supported Islam at the peril and dismay of other religions, especially Christianity which he hates the most. In March 2008 when inaugurating the biggest mosque in Uganda he financed, he was quoted as thus: “The Bible we have now is not the one that was revealed to Issa [Jesus] and the Old Testament is not the one that was revealed to Musa. Muhammad is mentioned in both (original versions), but the Torah and Bible we have now, there is no mention of him.”

This simpleton did not end up there. He added in paraphrasing his salvos so as to clearly be understood. He said: “It means that it (Bible) has been forged. Prophet Muhammad was sent to mankind. Allah wanted mankind to have one religion. The Koran that we have is the only book that was sent by Allah. We believe in the Bible as well as the Torah.”

What does Gadaffi’s machination-cum-suggestion mean? Nigeria be divided so that he can fully support the Islamic north to attack Christian south as he was doing in Sudan when it was terrorizing Christian south. However, Gadaffi and the likes must understand. Like Sudan, northern Nigeria has no oil. Therefore attempting this suttee will nary help any Nigerians even if Muslims can be easily lulled into this gin.

When this self conscripted Islamic crusader- in-chief puked his puerile wisdom, many religious people in Uganda frontally confronted him by hitting back, reminding him how the book he thinks authentic is a poetic copy of the one he castigates.

Gadaffi’s Islamic crusade did not start yesterday. In 1978 he supported Idi Amin when he invaded Tanzania. The lesson he got for this insanity has nary escaped his memory. In 2006 Gadaffi was quoted as thus: “We have 50 million Muslims in Europe. There are signs that Allah will grant Islam victory in Europe – without swords, without guns, without conquests. The 50 million Muslims of Europe will turn it into a Muslim continent within a few decades.” This megalomania borders the one once proposed by some stupid immigrants in UK, that UK must be ruled Islamic leader and Koran not by the queen and the constitution.

More on Gadaffi’s Islamic fundamentalism appeared in 2009 in Rome where he went to attend FAO’s conference when he urged 100 Italian beauties to convert in Islam. He said that Jesus came for Jews whilst Mohammad came for everybody. But he forgot one cardinal in the Koran that say that Allah brought Islam in Arabic so that Arabs could understand it. To prove how lunatic the man is, at the end of the lecture of converting to Islam he gave the girls copies of Koran and 50 Euros each. One of them, Silvia Figliozzi, grumbled: ”We were at least expecting a snack.”

Before the furore of halving Nigeria, Gadaffi was at it with Switzerland. He wanted Muslims all over the world to fight the Swiss simply because they denied visas to Libyan officials! He was quoted as thus: “There is a big difference between terrorism and jihad which is a right to armed struggle”. Gaddafi added: “Let us fight against Switzerland, Zionism and foreign aggression”.

We’ve presented as many quotes from Gadaffi to prove how lunatic the guy is. In March last year International Christian Concern (ICC) slapped Gadaffi in the face after revealing how Libyan intelligence tortured Christian converts for weeks. What hypocrisy and double standard! Can such a biased- funky creature have any good lesson for Africa? ICC’s Regional Manager for Africa, Jonathan Racho, had this to say: “We call upon Libyan officials to stop torturing the four Christians and release them from detention. Libya must respect the rights of its citizens to worship freely and not to be tortured. We particularly ask the Libyan leader and the current head of the African Union, Mr. Muammar Gaddafi, to set the prisoners free and demonstrate his country’s commitment to respect human rights.”

In a nutshell, this is but a drop in the ocean of Gadaffi’s frenzy. His madness is unearthed when he goes around preaching the United States of Africa chaired by him on the one hand, as he preaches the division of African countries on the other hand.

Importantly, Africa needs to know. Gadaffi is dangerous and, thus, we must keep off from him despite his petrodollar many mumbo jumbos badly need. Indeed Gadaffi needs to have his head examined.

Nkwazi Mhango is a Tanzanian living in Canada. He writes regularly for “The African Executive” and also has a blog entitled “Free Thinking Unabii”. He is a regular contributor to AfroSpear.

“African mumbo jumbos, sex, hypocrisy and power” by Nkwazi Mhango

 At just ended AU conference in Addis Ababa, the out-going chair, Libyan strong man Col. Muamar Gadaffi left people in stitches. He first wanted his term extended so that he’d serve two terms. This prayer was turned down by south African countries. After being booted out, he’s quoted as saying had he known how inferior and a failure the AU is, he wouldn’t have accepted the title! Nobody subscribed to this. If it were true why did he want a second term?

Guess what. After his machinations failed, Gadaffi said he’ll now seek the chairmanship of Arab League? Wow! Is this geezer an african or an arab that pretends to be an African?

Gadaffi’s nary run out of controversy. You know what. He showered praises to two dictators that authored the demise of their countries namely Mohamed Siad Barre (then Somalia) and Mobutu Seseseko (then Zaire now DRC). He said: “they’re Africa’s unifying force!” Many thought a sane person would mention doyens such as Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, Kwame Nkrumah even Ahmed Sekou Toure. He too went ahead showering praises to Ugandan strong man Yoweri Museveni for being a very strong leader, thanks to clinging unto power for over two decade whilst Gadaffi did the same for over four decades.

After being denied a second term Malawian President, Bingu wa Mutharika, was elected to take over. In his virgin speech, the new chair urged AU to embark on actions instead of shoptalk.

Despite being one of five African countries paying a big chunk of AU’s budget, Libya’s nary allowed to use its financial muscles to bully others. This is a good precedent that should apply to individual African countries whose rulers tamper with the constitutions and succeed to cling unto power illegally as it happened in Rwanda, Senegal and Uganda just recently.

Whilst Gadaffi was fighting for power, his south African counterpart  Jacob Zuma was commingled in a sex scandal. It came to light that Zuma  fathered a baby to a daughter of a friend! He paid fine known as “inhlawulo” in Zulu language. 

Zuma, just like Gadaffi, is full of controversies. This is a second scandal for Zuma who, in 2006, survived another one involving raping a HIV victim, also a daughter of a friend. Despite admitting to have unprotected sex with the girl, he was exonerated by the court. What appalls and astonishes is the fact that Zuma’s ruling Party ANC fully stood by him, ignoring the fact that crime is purely female degradation-cum-exploitation! The pretext ANC offered is promiscuity is Zuma’s personal matter! 

Like graft, tribalism and nepotism played a great role in Zuma’s scandal. Otherwise the disgrace Zuma brought to the office of president sufficed to show him the door. But again, this is Africa where rulers are infallible. Many observers agree on one fact. Sex maniacs in power, just like corrupt officials, spend much taxpayer’s money in their crimes that need high secrecy. Like Samson before Delila, they put their nations at risk. 

Another aspect is HIV. Such rulers die of HIV. But given they’ve power, the citizenry are told other causes such as cancer or heart attack in order to avoid blowing their cover and end up in shame. 

Another danger that causes abuse of power is the fact that promiscuous rulers appoint their partners and all who know their dirty linen in public offices in order to keep their secrets. Refer to what happened in Kenya when Mary Wambui came into the big picture. This lady is seen being surrounded by secret services agents while she actually isn’t the wife of a president. Refer to how her connections with Armenians caused a heck to the nation security. 

Protecting the mistresses of the numero uno and their kids, even relatives is another burden to a poor taxpayer. In developed countries when it comes to light that any public figure is involved in extramarital affair, this person hits the road pronto. Differently, in Africa such crimes are pushed under the carpet for the fear of the big man! 

In 2007 Swazis took to the street after it came to light that their womanizer king sent his 13 to a shopping spree in Europe and Middle East using a chartered plane whose expenses were covered by the government. Demonstrators chanted: “We can’t afford a shopping trip when a quarter of the nation lives on food aid.” 

These are our rulers who can spend our money as pleased while we are cascading into abject poverty. They spent much time and money chasing underwear instead of glory for our people. 

Let’s ponder on this. If Zuma is not satisfied with his three wives, what of others whose affairs are not known? How many mistresses and their relatives live by depending on our Casanova like officials in Africa ? How many bastards are enrolled in expensive schools and what not? 

Guess what. African big men have their own way of silencing their spouses. They allow them to abusively use their powers to do whatever they like such as forming money-making NGOs and use the state house to make money as a revenge for their hubbies cheating.  

However, one can wind this discussion up saying that our rulers are the product of our society. This means, what they do is what we do. Try to ask yourself: how many teachers hit on their students, doctors on patients, religious leaders on believers, bosses on secretaries you name it? 

Some say that if we’re different from them, we’d not let them abuse our offices and economies they way they do. We need to zap their zips and kick them out of our offices. 

Some say that what we see in Gadaffi and Zuma is our own reflection. Is this true or false, all depends on who you are.

Nkwazi Mhango is a Tanzanian living in Canada. He writes regularly for “The African Executive” and also has a blog entitled “Free Thinking Unabii”. He is a regular contributor to AfroSpear.