Born on the 25th of June 1972, three years after his
father, Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar Gaddafi seized power in a bloodless military
coup in 1969, Saif-Islam Gaddafi, (سيف الإسلام معمر القذافي) meaning: Word of Islam; attended Al- Fateh
University Tripoli where he studied Engineering Science. Widely acknowledged as
the heir to the throne, he performed several diplomatic roles and public
relations duties for his father. Directing his own vision and efforts towards
leading the people of Libya, in 2008 his PhD thesis at the London School of
Economics was titled: The role
of civil Society in the Democratisation of Global Governance Institutions: from
'soft power' to collective decision-making". Although the report was a source of controversy,
several comments he made subsequently showed he was walking towards democracy.
Instrumental to key areas of conflict resolution
between Libya and the West, Saif opened doors his father had foolishly closed
for no apparent reason. Some of the spheres he played crucial roles in were:
1)
Seeking
the release of Abdelbaset
Al-Megrahi, Pan Am 103 conspirator.
2) Successfully
closed any further payments to American victims of terror due to blames of
Libya’s involvement i.e. 1988 Lockerbie bombing.
3)
Although
the Italian government threw out the compensation request in 2011, Saif was
heavily involved in the scheme to make the former colonial power pay
compensation.
This high achieving son of a dictator fell from grace
to grass; captured like a common thief, he was found along with aides trying to
be smuggled into Niger Republic. How did he find himself in this situation
after been courted by the west as a great reformer and viewed by many as the
heir that will bring democracy to Libya finally?
The Arab spring, which started in on 18 December
2010 in Tunisia, is too strong to be quelled by any government. The people of
this region stood up for change, this has led to the toppling to three
governments in the region, one leading to fatality. Saif stood by his father,
but with his education and experience, was blind to see the strength of the
Arab spring. He vowed to die for no reason. But the truth is that the
leadership of the Libyan people does not reside in the hands of his family;
it’s not their birth right! Everything he did contravened the appearance he put
up for many years. He went ahead to lead a troop of military men that tortured
and killed several civilians for no just cause. A high public figure in
Britain, he had been courted at the Windsor Castle by the Royal family. He is
still a personal friend to the former Prime Minister Tony Blair. Yet none of these
associations brought common sense his way! If I were Saif, I would have
vamoosed to Britain, before the escalation of the spring, from where I would
have consistently spoken against the Junta, asking the Libyan people not to
rest on their oars. He failed! Standing by his father to fight a wave of change
has brought humiliation to everyone that knew him and all that he achieved;
sadly this might lead to his death. Saif had no business in government, he had
no business in the fight, yet he stupidly fought. What a shame!
Another question that arises here is: Why does
Britain have a strong correlation with serenading terrorist, thieves and
corrupt leaders around the world. Both despotic and legally elected doyens
founded to be wanting have had a very cosy relationship with Britain. They have
palaces in the UK and the royal family constantly entertains them, at least
until the relationship goes sour.
No comments:
Post a Comment