For 42 years, Gaddafi ruled Libya. During that time, the country saw significant changes. Literacy rates improved, the economy grew, and Libya became one of the strongest economies in Africa. It was a nation that, for the most part, enjoyed peace and stability. Gaddafi’s government also stood out as one of the few voices supporting Palestinian statehood, a stance that earned him both praise and criticism on the global stage.
A Revolution or a Foreign Agenda
When the so-called “revolution” began in Libya, it didn’t unfold like the uprisings in Egypt or Tunisia, which were over in a matter of days. Instead, it dragged on for months. Why? If Gaddafi was truly the monster some claimed him to be, why did so many Libyans fight to defend him? Why did it take relentless NATO airstrikes to tip the scales? These questions linger, unanswered.
The truth is, this wasn’t just a grassroots revolution. It was a conflict fueled and funded by foreign powers, a calculated move to overthrow a leader who didn’t align with Western interests. While some Libyans celebrated Gaddafi’s fall, others fought fiercely to protect him, even as their country faced international sanctions and frozen assets. This wasn’t a simple case of good versus evil; it was a classic example of “divide and conquer,” a strategy that left Libya fractured and uncertain about its future.
The Cost of Chaos: Libya’s Decline
Before the revolution, Libya had one of the lowest inflation rates in the world, at less than 1%, and its GDP growth rate was soaring above 10%. The country’s economic planning was praised, even by critics. But after Gaddafi’s fall, that stability vanished. Today, Libya struggles with chaos, division, and economic decline. The question many Libyans are left asking is: “Was it worth it?”
The West’s Victory, Humanity’s Loss
The West achieved its goal: another oil-rich nation fell under its influence. But at what cost? Beyond politics and economics, there’s a deeper issue at play here—the erosion of our humanity. The media’s gleeful coverage of Gaddafi’s death, the gruesome display of his body in a freezer, the cheering crowds—it all points to a disturbing trend. We’ve become desensitized to cruelty, to the point where we celebrate suffering as if it’s entertainment.
No One Is Entirely Good or Evil
No leader is entirely good or entirely evil. Gaddafi’s rule had its flaws, but he was still a human being. The way he was treated in his final moments—dragged from hiding, beaten, and executed without a fair trial—was not just inhumane; it was a violation of international law. Even the United Nations and Russia have called for an investigation into his death, but their pleas seem to fall on deaf ears. The world is too busy celebrating.
The Hypocrisy of Democracy and Justice
Democracy, freedom, and justice are ideals worth fighting for, but they lose their meaning when we abandon our humanity in the process. Gaddafi’s death wasn’t just the end of a man; it was a reflection of our own moral decline. We’ve become a society that glorifies violence and dehumanizes those we disagree with.
A Final Thought: What Have We Become?
In the end, Gaddafi’s legacy will be debated for years to come. But one thing is certain: the way we treated him in his final moments says more about us than it does about him. We may have won the battle, but in the process, we lost a piece of our humanity. Let’s hope we can find it again before it’s too late.