6 Revolutionary African Leaders Who Influenced Global Affairs

Muammar al-Qaddafi. (Photo: EPA)

Muammar al-Qaddafi

One of the most dreadful African leaders ever to lead Libya in her checkered history was the late Muammar al-Qaddafi. Also known as the “King of Kings of Africa,” he ruled Libya for over 40 years with fist, sword and at times with “strange” love. He became a leader so early – at the age of 27 – and immediately proclaimed his intention on the world stage by shutting down the American military bases in Libya. He was a thorn in the flesh of leaders all over the world. Apart from the fearless President Mugabe of Zimbabwe, no one ever among African leaders has dared the “powers that be” in the international arena like he did.

Muammar al-Qaddafi wined and dined with the world, and was a friend to powerful leaders all over the world, including former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. He supported Ugandan president Idi Amin during his reign of terror. He aided Jean-Bedel Bokassa of the Central African Empire, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Charles Taylor of Liberia, Ange-Felix Patasse of Central African Republic and so many other leaders who reigned like himself. He supported guerrilla groups all over the world to threaten his perceived enemies in the international system. His troubles all over the world earned his country sanctions from United Kingdom, Australia, etc. His grandiose plan for a United States of Africa was not realized before his death.

His poor human rights abuse, unrivalled corruption and personal aggrandizement made the whole world turn against him. He was killed in 2011 by the people of Libya with international support.

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Adedeji Ademola

Adedeji Ademola is a Staff Contributor of Face2Face Africa. He holds a B.A (Hons) in History and Diplomatic Studies from the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria and an MBA degree with specialization in General Management and Entrepreneurship as well as a Master of Science degree in International Relations both from the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria. He was a recipient of the Guerrand Hermes Foundation for Peace Scholarship in 2006. He got the Best Student Leader award and also a merit award from the Faculty of Arts Students Association during his undergraduate days. Adedeji is a development strategist/activist and youth empowerment advocate. He is a Member, African Studies Association of the UK; Member, Royal African Society; Member, African Institute of Business Simulations, etc. His main research interests are in Politics, Society and Governance in West Africa, Africa inter-state relations, emerging powers, security, democratization and regional integration in West Africa. He has published articles in local and international journals; public media, among other several works.

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  • Forgive me, but is this article written by an African?

    Col. Gadhaffi asked the American, Italian And British ambassadors who came to see him on learning his intentions to close their army, air and naval bases in Libya “Are there any Libyan soldiers in your countries?” they replied “No”. He then asked “Is Libya at war with America, Italy or Britain?” again, they said “No”.

    So he told them he saw no reason why their soldiers should be in Libya and the matter was closed.

    When he came to power, a barrel of oil cost ¢ 40. He organized the oil producers and, within a year it was costing US $ 20.

    The privileges of Libyan citizens, each of whom, man, woman and child, received a cash share of the oil revenues cannot be enumerated here. Suffice it to say that they paid no taxes, no water or power bills, every couple who wed received US $ 50,000 to buy and furnish a home and every mother who got a baby received US $ 5,000 to care for the baby properly. Everyone who wanted to farm received 6 acres of land and inputs including the farm house or tractor…free of charge.

    The West always has an excuse to remove someone they don’t like…sometime back, it was communist, then dictator then, as we saw with Saddam Hussein, weapons of mass destruction.

    It is worth mentioning that one of Col Gadhaffi’s best friends was Nelson Mandela, who, on being warned by the British and Americans, said he knows how to choose his friends. They were pained because, soon after is release, Pres. Mandela received 2 serviced and crewed Boeing 747’s for Col. Gadhaffi with which to tour the world.

    The whole world did not turn against Col Gadhaffi and 5 African leaders were on their way to Libya as NATO was bombing the country but France, in effect told them they would shoot down their plane.

    The main reason why Col. Gadhaffi was killed was because he was fast-tracking the African monetary union, a program of the AU, part of African integration.

    He had gathered 130 tons of gold to back up the pan-African currency which meant, among other things that:

    .1 Africa’s produce, especially cocoa and coffee, would fetch about 5 times what they now do.

    .2 The 13 West and central African “Pacte Coloniale” countries, effectively French colonies from which France extracts a substantial part of her GDP would be free. France would have become a poor country leading to EU collapse.

    That gold, plus US $ 30 b in reserves was stolen by the West.

    The African political union is not a dream, but a plan drawn by the founders of the organisation of African unity, spearheaded by Osagyefo Nkrumah, Pres. Kenneth Kaunda and Mwalimu Nyerere. The recent Tripartite Free Trade Area of 600 m Africans in 26 countries is another move in the unity drive.

    Col. Gadhaffi is the furthest person you can think of in terms of corruption. He said his own parents would not get a house until all other Libyans had one.

    Col Gadhaffi was killed by a French agent after his capture by Qatari regulars disguised as Libyan rebels.

    If you are an African, take care where you get your information, otherwise, some stuff you say insults us and our intelligence.

  • I see you are well aware of the fallacy of Col. Gadhaffi’s alleged united Africa dream because elsewhere you write of Osagyefo Nkrumah - His passion and drive for a united Africa earned him the title of “Father of Pan-Africanism.”

    In 1958 when young Muammar was 17….

    So which s which?

    Please do not write stuff that misleads our children.

  • Perhaps you might have mentioned that the united states ambassador was instrumental in the coup against the Osagyefo, same as the murders of Togolese Pres Olympio and Premier Lumumba of the Congo.

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