President of policy think tank, IMANI Ghana, Franklin Cudjoe, has accused the African Union (AU), of turning its back against former Libyan leader, the late Muammar Gaddafi when he needed the support union the most.
The North African country has been plunged into chaos nearly years after its leader; Muammar Gaddafi was killed in an operation carried out by the United States and its allies during the 2011 uprising.
Former US President Barack Obama admitted in a 2016 interview, days before his handing over that his regime’s toppling of the Libyan president was his worst mistake.
Speaking on Citi FM’s news analysis programme, The Big Issue over the weekend, Franklin Cudjoe said he believes that “maybe the AU let him [Gaddafi] down in a way.”
Franklin Cudjoe also added that, mistakes Gaddafi committed while in office also led to his downfall.
“I believe he also made mistakes. I think he shouldn’t have been totally repressive, calling his people rats,” the IMANI Ghana boss added.
Slave trade in Libya
Mr. Cudjoe made the remark on the back of a supposed modern day slave trade ongoing in Libya.
About two weeks ago, footages from CNN of youth from Sub-saharan Africa being sold at slave markets in Libya went viral, attracting International criticism. The heartbreaking images also showed some migrants being tortured to death by individuals in Libyan military wears.
There has been a wave of condemnations across Africa, especially due to the silence of the continent’s leaders and groups like the AU and ECOWAS over the incident.
127 Ghanaians repatriated
Some 127 Ghanaians were last week rescued from Libya after reports that these Ghanaians and some other black Africans were reported to have been subjected to inhumane treatment after giving away their life’s earnings and making torturous journeys through the Sahara hoping to make it big in Europe.
Group petitions AU to investigate ‘slave trade’ in Libya
In a related development, a civil society group known as “The Future Group,” has petitioned the African Union (AU), to investigate reports of a supposed modern day slave trade in Libya.
The group said the reports are “heart wrecking” and are “very serious crimes against humanity” hence AU must take up the issue.
Source:Citifmonline.com