Africa and The Current State of International Relations!

How Justified is It Role In Libya Operation?

As Africa has witnessed the NATO-Influenced fall of one of the best African governments in terms of bringing social-economic developments to it's people, Libya, the question remains how much this incident has open the eyes of many on how western powers may deceive UN and still be able to get away with it. How these states may violate international laws and still walk away free from them. What we have been able to see is that NATO as organisation of a specific integration block may interfere, take side and encourage a civil war as long as it is in their own foreign policy interests. Who still may stand and say there is fairness in International Law?

Africa Union- Is It's Importance & Voice Respected
in International Arena outside Africa?

Who may convince African states to believe that their sovereignty is protected in International Laws against super military blocks such as NATO? And I believe unless the International Community takes a hard stand and ensure that justice is also served to even to those who are believed are untouchables in international arena then certain members of the international relations such as Africa will always feel undermine when it comes to international justice.

A Victim of His Belief and Firm Stand
Against Imperialism?

Will NATO be held accountable by violating the No-Fly Zone? Will NTC & NATO be held accountable by the killing of Gaddafi instead of taking him to the Hague? What about Guantanamo bay?

Time will tell, but unless African states get united and give a united stand relating to various international relations challenges they are facing such as misrepresentation in the UN Security council in terms of Veto votes then this will not be the end of a long indirect African states sovereignty oppression. I used the word oppression because as long as the disrespecting of African Union by NATO in it's effort to solve the Libyan crisis peaceful that showed the maximum of the West disrespectful of African sovereignty when it comes to matters relating to their economical interests. 

Maybe it is difficult to blame nations that try hard to meet the interests of their foreign policies, but what about African states? What did we do in response of the violations we witnessed in a fellow African state? Or us too we were busy trying to protect the interests of our foreign policies? And with all these happening who may stand and justify the equality of states in-front of international laws?

How Much United Nations is United Nations?

Who may explain why the western media ignores much of violations against international laws conducted by western countries? In various ways it has been seen a normal thing for these nations to violate international laws and get away with it. Example of these includes international laws violated within the Iraq invasion and treatment of detainees, especially during the George Bush era, through which various UN Charter and Geneva Conventions articles were violated. But who cares? It is not Africa, right?

As a student of International Relations I believe there a serious need for a reformation in international relations, by ignoring these differences we might see great consequences in near future. For as long as international laws are now being seen as instruments to justify the invasions of weaker states only and letting the stronger ones getting away with whatever laws they violate then international community is getting into a barbaric nature of relations. Relations surrounded with fear and doubts, relations were by a state has no choice than to give away it's natural resources in fear of invasions under any cause and propaganda as it happened in Iraq or even through foreign influence and support of civil wars as in Libya. A situation were by sovereignty of a state remains to be a term in paper and empty words, but one that may be taken away by the mightier at any minute a state fails to agree to do and act as commanded by them.

Will Sub-Saharan Youths React?

After what happened and even during the revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya everyone kept and still asks, will it happen in other parts of Africa especially the sub-Saharan. Are we real going to see the same thing? As food and oil prices keep on rising, and the cost of living continue rising to new heights, everyone kept and still asks, will it happen.

From my view, its far from happening, and if it happens it will be triggered by post-elections problems. In most of Sub-Saharan Africa the situation is a bit different. Still there is no a platform that may unite more people for such a cause, plus due to large percent of sub-Saharan being illiterate or even ending up in very low level of education tree we find there is no such an understanding and belief for a change.

Tanzanian's Voting in 2010 Elections

Also in most of these nations with exception of few such as Uganda and Zimbabwe there is a frequent timed change in presidency through voting (though the question of transparency in elections may still be in question). There is low usage of tools such as social media as a platform for discussion on issues relating to core problems and difficulties experienced by the people. But I believe as time goes on with the wide adoption rate of internet enabled devices by youths mainly in high schools and high learning institutions a lot is going to change in terms of platforms.

2011 Zambia Elections Brought About
 A First Major Loss of A Long Time Political Party

I believe change is coming to sub-Saharan Africa, but I believe it will take a while..and if it comes, it will mostly be through elections. But here is where the problem might rise from. As we see in several elections in sub-Saharan Africa, it is the time when a lot of tensions arise, and I believe if the trend of elections ridging continue then through elections is when we might see a rise and overthrow of governments that keep forcing to remain in power through cheating in ballots.

Long time political parties in sub-Saharan Africa such as CCM in Tanzania, continue to see rise in opposition strength and either we like it or not this is seen as largely due to loss of support by majority of educated mass, especially young people. There is only one thing that may still help these parties to win back the confidence of the voters, and that is better policies addressing the problem of employments, food prices and the issues of management of natural resources. Without these issues being addressed no one will be surprised to see the same wave of change through unethical means sweeping sub-Saharan Africa.

Change in any ways, but I hope sub-Sahara region will choose a peaceful way and without any foreign power influence or bloodshed.

What is Post-Gaddafi Era Promising?

He was not a perfect leader, but who is? Democracy is adopted in Africa, and it is adopted from Western countries, I believe democracy is important tool in today's era but I also believe a country that is ready for democracy by the will of its people is much more important than that forced into them. I also believe in sense of either economic growth and good quality of living majority of people in Africa will be ready to trade and give up democracy to achieve the above critical things in life.

Tanzanian Flag at Half Mast at Centre For Foreign Relations
As To All Government Offices

Maybe yes, Gaddafi deserved to removed in power, but it could be more sense if it was the will of the majority of Libyans and by Libyans themselves and any other way around. It would have been much better for a good and open legal procedure to be followed, but is International Law real realistic? How many crimes do Western powers commit and nothing is brought forward? How many civilians have died under Western powers interference in sovereign states? A lot, but that is the side that the International Law ignores. Justice should be to both sides, when it is only operational to one side it is hard for it to gain respect.

As the Minister for Foreign Affairs [Tanzania], stated, AU has not been respected by the NATO when it was about to pass through peaceful means to end the Libyan crisis. The need reforms at the United Nations Security Council are now more than crucial to insure the matter of sovereignty is not only to the Western powers but also to developing African states.

If Africa will continue to let foreign powers mess with it's stability and bring instability for their own capitalistic interests then we should know one thing, that is Africa will always be an underdog. Unless we stand up, with one voice, against foreign powers getting into our lands and bring instability in the name of democracy though its for their own interests, Africa will remain in poverty while they will always prosper!

Anyone who will try to tell me NATO went to Libya for democracy, I will ask you few questions. Why not North Korea? Why not Burma? Why not Somalia? Why not Cuba? and lastly why not CHINA?

A analytically reasoning will open your eyes and let you see that their is nothing than propaganda with what has happened in Libya. Even if Gaddafi deserved to be removed still what he did for Libya in terms of economy and other issues he deserved better. Even after all his body deserved at least a last respect! Africa had several leaders, but few were able to stand firm against being bullied in International Arena. But whats important is that few were able to bring even a half of such a high quality living standards!

As the day ends, I still see no day that a western government leader brought to international courts, and don't tell me they don't commit international crimes. A lot of people die every week in middle east due to unjustified interventions. Remember the issue of D.R.Congo? Who encouraged the civil war there? What about the human rights abusing Guantanamo bay? 

I think of Africa. My mother land! Beautiful and rich in resources! The major obstacles standing in it's way; neo-colonialism and forced policies...more foreign investments, going away with Billions of worth of natural resources while paying less than 10% of their profits...but no one sees that, no ONE..!!!

Its all about greedy and national interests! We students and scholars understands, so its hard to push blames..

I hope one thing, we need a real complex balance of power.....! Africa wake up!!!! As Gaddafi is gone, I hope the goals for an African currency and Africa Monetary Union wont go away with him. These are great and important things, and I believe Gaddafi's commitment to these principles might be one of the reasons for such dedicated operation to remove him.

All in all, there are a lot of undemocratic and 'real' oppression leaderships in the world...so unless we get the real reasons why Libya? Africa will never trust in Western powers, and furthermore never again trust the UN Security council. To be lied and ignored is what several states got from NATO, and that is real abuse of influence!

As Tanzania we look forward for new co-operation with the new Libya, as our Foreign Minister said, we pray for a better and peaceful Libya though we cant hide our concerns over the future of Libya!

"Compare Libya's country profile with any other in sub-Saharan Africa and you'll see that this guy, unlike too many of the crap leaders the continent has endured in the last few decades, didn't just say "f*ck you" to his people.  

Compare Libya's GDP per capita ($12K+) with countries like Nigeria ($1K+) or Botswana, probably the most stable "democracy" in Africa at $6K+ (democracy is not always the solution; sometimes it's nothing more than a money-wasting farce).

Gaddafi was a dictator, he supported many questionable cause and held on to power for too long, and it is best that he goes now, but while we celebrate his removal let's not completely erase our memories of what elsehe did, or forget why many of us were also, from time to time, rather proud of him, frustrating as he may have been."
    ~ThisIsAfrica.com

God Bless Africa,

God Bless Libya!