If the reports of Muammar Gaddafi ‘s death are indeed true then it brings to an end a colonial experiment that lasted over 40 years. Since a young Gaddafi came to power in 1969 the British so instrumental in his demise, have been the guardian angels for a man who for years divided political opinions. He was the champion of socialist Arab nationalism, a tyrant, and murderer of this own people. For many in the political elites of the Western world he was both friend and enemy, but always a slave to their colonial interests.
There will be much rejoicing at the news of his death amongst Libyans across the world, and who could blame them for his reign was built on pure brutality. Those who fought so bravely to defeat Gaddafi and lost so many lives along the way have every right to celebrate. However the celebration of the Western media and politicians should be viewed as nothing other than sensualist propaganda, the kind Gaddafi partook in during his 42 years in power.
It is hard to believe that the same politicians that welcomed Gaddafi back into the fold of the ‘civilised’ world not so long ago are now so overjoyed by his demise. However this is the way of Western politics something Saddam, Ben Ali , Mubarak and now Gaddafi have all found out. The Western policy towards the Muslim world has always been one of pursuing nothing but their interests, in the words of ex-Prime Minister Lord Palmerston “We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow”.
These are words that still ring true over 150 years after being uttered, they aptly describe the attitude the British have had towards their colonial approach to foreign policy and there is nothing to suggest this is about to change. The NATO strikes on Libyan troops, the secret forays into Benghazi by MI5 operatives and Cameron’s triumphant visit to Tripoli not so long ago all show an ideologically defeated state’s desperate attempts to relive the days of empire.
The death of Gaddafi will be seen as the an opportunity to rebuild Libya in a manner which will serve the West for as long as Gaddafi did if not longer. The colonial self congratulatory back slapping will be replaced with attempts to subvert the revolution and ensure the interests of Western corporate are put before the people of Libya. If anything the aftermath of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars serve as testament to the kind of ‘freedom’ Western intervention brings to a people.
The truth of British sponsored rendition and torture of Muslims at the hands of Gaddafi and their complicity in his reign could easily be lost in the smokescreen of sympathy Sarkozy and Cameron have been pedalling for the last few months. The legacy of Gaddafi should not only be formed on his atrocities and tyrannical reign but on the people who give him the political strength and backing to carry out such actions. If it wasn’t for Western interference in the Muslim world the likes of Gaddafi and Mubarak would have been removed decades ago.
The lesson from Gaddafi’s fall from grace is that tyranny can be removed at the hands of the Ummah, the lesson from his legacy is that the Western world should in no circumstances be trusted in shaping the future of the Muslims.
Mohammad (saw) has warned us against the naivety of being fooled again by the West into building a future for the Muslims of Libya. He (saw) said:
“a Muslim is not bitten from the same hole twice” [Muslim and Bukhari]
