ARISE AFRICA ARISE!

If you really want to stop war in Africa, why do you sell us firearms?

Why signing peace treaties with a right hand, while the left is holding a gun?

You can't dig another pit to fill another pit!
Sow love and reap love!

Listening to this stanza plucked from the album 'Loud thoughts' of Pastor Rusikira-a village preacher, I could not help it but realize the treachery of the happenings in Libya.it is the manner at which Colonel Muammar Gaddafi met his fate that turned my mind to the village preacher's wise sayings on the power of love and the venom of hypocrisy! For long the West has played a prominent role in the politics of Africa, but the unanswered question is that 'Are they well meaning in this Big brother role?'

It will not be a case when citizens start to question the status quo, since democracy is a right; and one of its tenets is participation in civic affairs. But eyebrows should be raised when 'aliens' take a leading role in shaping a sovereign state's political destiny-all in the name of protecting civilians. There was nothing wrong for Libyans to question their government because it should be answerable but definitely something became wrong when foreigners started taking center stage in the domestic affairs of a sovereign state. If they really want to stop wars and loss of life in Africa-like what the USA claims to by sending troop to capture Joseph Kone, a rebel leader in the DRC-why do they supply us with fire arms?

I do not condone the unleashing of violence and terror on citizens in suppressing their political participation, but dislikes arbitrarily killing and this big brother attitude on vulnerable people with equal measure. They were so many ways of solving the Libyan crisis without unnecessary bloodshed than sponsor a civil war. It was not through force or violence that colonel Gaddafi willingly renounced his nuclear arms project, but through international cooperation achieved via dialogue during the Blair era. Had the UN and NATO exhausted this means when thy decided on military expedition? Only God knows!

Fine, let's believe military intervention was the answer, then why was Gadhafi denied a trial as per the democratic prescription? I understand he was captured alive as evidenced by video clips aired on CNN on the day of his death. The right to life is a fundamental and sacred right and should be respected and extended to all, despite color, race or kindred. Anyway what do you expect if guns are given to someone who lacks the necessary discipline of a trained soldier, as the case in Libya?

Gaddafi might have had his own flaws like any ruler, such as ordering the army to fire live bullets on protestors, but his arbitrarily killing was not the answer. You can not dig another pit to fill another pit! Vengeance is for the gods! Now that he is no more is Libya going to have a peaceful transition to rule of law or its back to its pre colonial age of tribal and ethnic clashes?

Of course I'm not a herald of doom but I feel there are tough and challenging times ahead as Libya negotiate its jagged political landscape. To realize the basis of my argument, spare a thought to all the operations of 'rescue' the west has participated in the past. Insurgence and suicide bombings are the chorus of the day in Iraq ever since Sadam Hussein was toppled. In Afghanistan tribal clashes characterize the post American war on terror. Ever since Patrice Lumumba was assassinated the DRC has never enjoyed tranquility. So would Libya be spared of this curse?

Tensions are already simmering in Libya, as the controversy over Gaddafi's body rages on. If he is of no influence and effect, since he is dead let the NTC just hand over his body to his kinsmen for burial. By trying to have a secret burial the NTC is out to prevent his resting place from being turned into a 'shrine' by his loyalist, we are told. This is a glaring admission that there are still some people who believe in the late Colonel's philosophy! Are we then not staring into a genuine prospect of tribal clashes?

Also that the people had tested the power of a gun are they not in danger of resorting to it in solving their future problems as a nation?

Just like its forerunners-slave trade and colonialism-this 'big brother attitude' which in fact is neo colonialism is a weapon of mass destruction which threatens the existence of Africa and its people. It is sowing seeds of violence, disrespect of African cultures and traditions such as the dehumanization of Gaddafi's body.

The onus is on the African union to act as a true intergovernmental organization (IGO) responsible to its people, to fish up Africa and restore its identity. Gone should be the times when we used to be the doormat of the so called first world countries

Arise Africa arise

Aggrieved African

Norman Nyika

wiseman nyika(Zimbabwe)
a journalism and mass media student.