Muammar Al Gathafi may have pumped so much money into the AU that the organisation finds it difficult to say anything
Gradually from military rule, “democracy” was introduced to
some parts of Africa. Now, people had a choice of political par- ties for which to vote. And politics in Africa became a whole new ballgame. Huge monies are spent on political campaign trails. Where this money comes from, only the politrikcian knows. But surely it is borrowed money that has to be paid back? In fact, part of it comes from foreign governments and foreign interests – and you know the usual culprits! So before you know it, you find somebody in government and
you wonder why or how come? Sometimes people are awarded certain contracts and, again, you ask yourself, why and how come? Oh yes, Africans have come to realise how much they can benefit from being part of the ruling government and will go all out to make sure they or their old school chum wins the elections. And as we have seen in some African countries, if the election
results do not go down well with everyone concerned, unnecessary violence and killings happen when people take to the streets, sometimes encouraged by the inciting words of politrikcians. (The latest saying in Ghana is “all die be die” as a result of the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Akuffo- Addo, encouraging their supporters not to sit timidly if attacked by rival supporters. Apparently, he is preparing NPP supporters for elections in 2012!) Oh yes, people take to the streets to fight for the man of
their choice to be president because during his campaign trail he promises to do certain things for them. And they believe him.
So years later, when that person is still in power and people do not see an improvement in their lives, naturally they will ask questions and take certain actions such as demonstrations and protests, which have long been part and parcel of democracy
as practised in Europe and America. Yet even in democratic African countries, how many people are courageous enough to speak out in such a manner? So imagine the shock when people actually take to the streets against a president who has ruled with an iron fist? Certainly nobody saw what happened coming in Egypt, Tunisia or, most shockingly, Libya. But it’s reached the stage where people are saying, enough is enough. We want an end to this form of governing us. We want an equal access to educa- tion, decent and affordable housing. We want to be able to enjoy the natural abundant wealth God has put all over our continent. Maybe the AU kept mum for one reason: it would have been
a case of the pot calling the kettle black. The AU is made up of member states which have seen and still continue to see corrupt leaders ruling their respective countries. African politricks has for a long time been about a small group amassing the wealth of their country. Gathafi appears to believe that Libya belongs to him. He is so deluded he cannot even see his own people have turned against him, putting the blame on Europe and Al-Qaeda. I find it shocking that the AU took so long to say anything.
Maybe, on the other hand, this is for any number of reasons which we are not aware of. Maybe Gathafi has pumped so much money into the AU they daren’t go against him. Or maybe the AU feels what is happening is an Arab issue. Whatever the reason for their silence, the AU should sit up. Because the day will come when people across the rest of Africa will say, enough already. But hey, these are just the reflections of an ordinary African woman. gNA
New African April 2011 | 65
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