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As Libya Decides

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By: Jibril Salisu Na`inna

As Libya goes to the polls December 24th 2021, African countries under the aegis of African union, AU are expected to play a major and important brotherly role to ensure a smooth, free and fair first democratic elections to hold in the history of Libya.

It is very disappointing that while Europe, America, western invaders and other capitalist lobbyist are plotting to rig the upcoming presidential elections in Libya in favor of their puppet candidate, African union is nowhere to be found.

Africa has been frozen out of the peace and restoration process of Libya which is pathetic, caused by mentally induced fear of the west, of sanction and our own mis-prioritization, let us not forget that its leader Gaddafi was well respected in AU who was once its chairman, which he financed heavily.

He campaigned for pan-African unity, but Africa has failed after his assassination by the US-led NATO backed-rebels  to keep his country even under its military peace mission wing at peace and send away foreign meddlers and mercenaries such as those of Turkey, France, Russia, UAE, Saudi Arabia and others instead it is the opposite, although only at the beginning of the Arab uprising, the African Union, having designated the popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt as legitimate expressions of democratic will, determined the Libyan crisis to be a civil war demanding a mediated outcome. The AU established an ad hoc committee of heads of state to seek a negotiated settlement which did little to nothing. The committee members were made up of the presidents of Mauritania, Republic of Congo, Mali, South Africa and Uganda, on the rationale that only African heads of state could speak credibly with Gaddafi and that the arrangement underlined the AU’s seriousness.
At odds with the AU political initiative, the UN passed resolution 1973, authorizing “all necessary measures” to protect the civilian population of the country as they claim it, unproven to warrant it. This was a rapid and rare invocation of the principle of the responsibility to protect (R2P). United Nations Security Council UNSC resolution 1973 referred to the AU’s peace initiative in its preambular section but its legal force was the authorization of “all necessary measures” by UN member states. Despite this limited mandate, the way the military operations were carried out made it immediately evident that the real goal of the intervention was much wider, namely to provoke the collapse of Gaddafi’s leadership. Coalition forces extensively bombed targets outside of the scope of the mandate with a clear intent to kill Gaddafi, a fact demonstrated by the bombing of a compound of villas near Tripoli where Gaddafi was supposedly hiding that killed his youngest son, Saif al-Arab. However, the coalition failed to set out a plan for the restoration of public order in Libya. It was a series of air campaign by US-led NATO members with the stated bogus intent of protecting civilians but the clear objective was of leadership change.

Tarek Megersi, a Libyan analyst with the UK-based European Council on Foreign Relations think-tank, ever says that some African leaders have not yet come to terms with Gaddafi’s fall.

“During the 2011 revolution, the AU was seen as a Gaddafi supporter and there was a negative view of it among Libyans. People felt it was bought off by Gaddafi. So, Africas` potential role as a neutral mediator,” he said.

Yet there was a need for greater African involvement to end the conflict because the continent has suffered economically since the fall of Gaddafi, and the unrest in Libya has had serious knock-on effects further south.

“One day, you had hundreds of millions of dollars flowing into Africa as investments by the Gaddafi leadership. Then it dried up,” Mr Megersi pointed out.
“You also had remittances from migrants who came to work in Libya from countries such as Nigeria because salaries and the exchange rate were good. That also stopped.”

Mr Megersi said that worryingly, some African states had now become a recruiting ground for the belligerents in Libya.

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The Libyan Socialist Jamahiriya was so prosperous and generous in terms of security, infrastructure (notably the great man-made river), in health, education, social welfare and a lot of other back bone of an economy which ever made the country be ranked the happiest.

Philip Gordon, the most senior U.S. official on the Middle East in 2013-’15, wrote: “In Iraq, the U.S. intervened and occupied, and the result was a costly disaster. In Libya, the U.S. intervened and did not occupy, and the result was a costly disaster. This shows how guilt the US was.

Libya is very important in the peace-making process of Africa as if it is stable, Africa will indeed achieve stability, a clear cutoff of free proliferation and flow light and small weapons, put an end to illegal migration crisis to unviable Europe, as it Libya is the sixteenth largest country in the world, the second in the Arab world/league and the fourth in Africa with a total of 1,759,541 square kilometers of land with a large proven oil reserves of any country in the world, making it the 10th in the world.

The West should be made to face a difficult choice in Libya by African Union that will pressure them to leave before elections on 24th December. The disorder that enveloped the country following the 2011 US-led NATO intervention makes any consideration of productive engagement in the country now a child of necessity, of a must concept. However, it is possible to conceive a well-plan targeted effort that could stabilize the country. In the absence of Africas’ leadership, interventionists and foreign regional actors with their own interests have demonstrated their willingness to step into the fray and manipulate developments on the ground. If African Union and especially Nigeria continues to let foreign interventionists and its few African allies fill the void, Libya’s conflict will only continue to escalate. A clear plan to help stabilize Libya would require targeted assistance from the African Union to bolster the legitimately to be elected government control over Tripoli and convince the various actors to engage in an inclusive, cohesive process in running the country. Given the critical national security implications of Libya’s chaos for the Whole Africa and especially the Sahel region, the choice not at now or to step back may encourage further escalation that would ultimately drag more of the West into Libya and to remain. A well-planned stabilization effort now, rather than an unwelcome and compulsory intervention later, would in the long run be in the best interest of the Libyan people, all Africans and of those states with an interest in the stability of the region.

Jibril Salisu Na’inna writes,
With a peace, progress and pan African vision,
Former Head boy, 2016/2017 academic session, Alhaji Akilu Comprehensive Secondary School, Madobi, Kano, Nigria,
Now, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Student,
12th December, 2021.
jibrilsalisunainna@gmail.com/07068969306

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International

Donald Trump Breaks Over 130 Year History, Stages Comeback Like Grover Cleveland

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Abbas Yushau Yusuf

With America’s history of democracy begining from 1789 with George Washington as the pioneer US President ,American politics is now 225 years with some Presidents assassinated while others are defeated in an election .

For example after succeeding Richard Nixon due to wateralgate scandal President Gerald Ford did not win election into the White House in 1976 but was defeated by Jimmy Carter while Jimmy Carter could not get reelected in in 1989 and was defeated by Ronald Reagan,the same with George Herbert Bush who could also not secure reelection in 1992 but was defeated by Governor of Arkansas Mr Bill Clinton .

There are were also other American Presidents who were assasinted like Abraham lincoln after the American civil war of 1846 and President John Kennedy who was also assassinated in 1961.

Now the most unique in American politics was the issue of its former President Grover Cleveland who is the first American President to serve two non consecutive terms in office ,between 1885 to 1889 and between 1893 to 1897 serving as the 22nd and 24th President of the United States .

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Grover Cleveland staged a comeback in 1893 by defeating his old rival President Benjamin Harrison who only served one term as America’s 23rd President since then over 130 years ,President Trump who was defeated by Democrats Joe Biden in 2020 has now won the 2024 elections and to serve as the 45th and 47th President of the United States like Cleveland who was the only American President that carry that medal but now jinxed by Donald Trump

 

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International

Trump, Harris Secure Votes as First Results Emerge in U.S. Presidential Election

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The first results in the U.S. presidential election have emerged, with Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump tied at three votes each.

The early count comes from Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, a small town with just six voters.

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Dixville Notch is famous for its tradition of being the first to finish in-person voting, a practice that began in 1960.

Voting reportedly began right at midnight. Meanwhile, votes were counted, and results were announced just 15 minutes later.

Harris, the Democratic candidate, and Trump, a Republican, have been close in the polls leading up to election day.

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ActionAid Nigeria Commemorates International Peace Day with Cultural Festivities

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By Naziru Idris Ya’u

Celebrating Peace: ActionAid Nigeria/Dispute Resolution and Development Initiative Commemorates International Peace Day with Cultural Festivities

On a radiant day marked by vibrant cultural displays, ActionAid Nigeria/Dispute Resolution and Development Initiative commemorated the International Day of Peace with an event that brought together communities in a celebration of harmony and resilience.

The Peace Fiesta, held in honor of this significant occasion, showcased various cultural troupes that performed traditional dances, songs, and skits, emphasizing the theme of unity amid diversity.

Speaking at the occasion, Andrew Amebu, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, articulated the organization’s commitment to fostering inclusive development and sustainable peace in communities. “Today, we celebrate not just peace, but the ideals of brotherhood and the importance of understanding across cultures and nations,” she stated. “This event is a reminder that our shared commitment to peace is groundbreaking for the futures we want to create.”

Over the past 20 months, ActionAid Nigeria has made significant inroads into building community resilience against violent extremism. The organization recently provided livelihood equipment worth 100 million Naira (approximately 71,428.5 USD) to 600 youth and women across Kano and Kaduna States. These beneficiaries, trained in seven different vocational skills, are a vital part of the organization’s effort to promote socio-economic stability and discourage violent extremism.

Hajiya Dankabo highlighted that over 15,000 direct beneficiaries have been engaged in sensitization programs, cultivating a culture that values peaceful coexistence and embraces diversity. The ripple effect of these programs is evident in the increasingly harmonious interactions within these communities.

Partnering with the Dispute Resolution and Development Initiative (DRDI), the event also featured novelty football matches aimed at improving peace and social cohesion among community members. “Sports have emerged as a vital tool for unifying people, transcending differences, and creating a peaceful environment,” remarked the Executive Director of DRDI, Dr. Mustapha Muhammad Yahaya, who noted that such initiatives are crucial for strengthening communal ties.

International Peace Day, observed annually, is a global call to action that encourages individuals and communities to prioritize peace above all differences. The day resonates deeply with the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), both of which are instrumental in fostering a harmonious world.

This year’s theme, “Cultivating a Culture of Peace,” served as an impetus for ActionAid Nigeria to mobilize communities against ethnicism, discrimination, and intolerance. Supported by the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) in collaboration with Global Peace Development, the organization has been implementing the System and Structure Strengthening Approach Against Radicalisation to Violence Extremism (SARVE III) project. This initiative has resulted in the establishment of 24 women’s safe spaces along with Peace Clubs and Local Conflict Management Alliances aimed at enhancing early warning capabilities for conflict and promoting peacebuilding efforts.

The cultural extravaganza at the event was a fitting highlight, demonstrating how art and tradition can symbolize and signify the ideals of peace and stability in communities. Each performance served as a reminder of the rich cultural tapestry that binds communities, encouraging them to embrace their differences as a source of strength rather than division.

As the sun set on the event, the atmosphere lingered with hope and the promise of ongoing efforts toward building resilient, peaceful communities throughout Nigeria. ActionAid’s initiatives reflect a broader commitment to weaving peace into the fabric of society—an endeavor that requires continuous collaboration, engagement, and education for lasting impact.

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