News

Gaddafi Should ‘Ve Been Spared –Zuma

Published

13 years ago

October 24, 2011

President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, says the slain former Libyan leader, Col. Muammar Gaddafi should have been captured alive to face prosecution.

Zuma told newsmen last Friday in Pretoria at the reception for the visiting President Obiang Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea that Gaddafi had been on the warrant list of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

He said,”given that there was a warrant of arrest against Gaddafi, those who found him should have arrested him and handed him to ICJ.

“There is a trend across the world where former leaders accused of injustice are not given an opportunity to stand trial in a court of justice.

“That is surprising. I think even those who accused him would have wanted to see him become answerable.”

He expressed the hope that the death of Gaddafi would lead to a cessation of hostilities and the restoration of peace in Libya.

He urged the Libyan National Transitional Council to begin in earnest, the process of building national unity and reconciliation, disarmament of all combatants and their reintegration into society.

In his remark, Mbasogo who is also the Chairperson of African Union (AU), said Africa was concerned with further political developments in Libya.

“The AU was looking forward to a situation where it would play a major role in helping to create a government that will be totally inclusive.

“It is believed that the lasting solution is possible through an all-inclusive political process that will culminate in the holding of the first ever democratic elections,’’ Mbasogo said.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu in his comment, said, “the manner of the killing of Muammar Gaddafi last Thursday totally detracts from the noble enterprise of instilling a culture of human rights and democracy in Libya.

“The people of Libya should have demonstrated better values than those of their erstwhile oppressors’’.

Mr Jackson Mthembu, the Africa National Congress spokesperson, said Libyans needed help in rebuilding their country after the devastation caused during the conflict.

“We are as convinced now as we were then that a peaceful approach would have saved many lives in Libya,’’ he said.

The Congress of South Africa Trade Unions also decried the way the media reported and broadcast the images of Gaddafi’s body.

The congress spokesperson, Mr Patrick Craven said, “this `triumphalism’ is an example of imperialist barbarism at its worst.

“The only force which has the right to overthrow a dictatorial regime are the Libyans, not the military might of imperialist powers whose sole concern is to safeguard and promote economic interests.

“Gaddafi should have been charged to ICJ, he should not have been executed in a manner that resembled cold-blooded murder.’’

In a related development, the African Union Commission Chairperson, Dr Jean Ping, urged the new Libyan authorities to immediately commence efforts that would ensure the fulfillment of the aspirations of all Libyan people.

Ping made the call in a statement issued in Addis Ababa in reaction to the killing of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

“Today, more than ever before, there is the need for the new Libyan authorities to spare no effort in ensuring that those aspirations are fulfilled.

“From the onset of the crisis in Libya, the AU has called for, and tirelessly worked towards a solution that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Libyan people for democracy, respect for human rights and good governance’’, Ping said.

He reiterated AU’s conviction on the need for national reconciliation among all Libyans, in line with the stated commitment of the new Libyan authorities.

He said this would ensure stability and the establishment of viable, democratic and accountable institutions.

Ping further stressed the continuing commitment of the AU to support the Libyan people and to work with the new authorities towards genuine national reconciliation, respect for human rights and an inclusive transition leading to the establishment of a new democratic dispensation.

He said the Commission would soon establish a liaison office in Tripoli to be headed by a Special Representative.

“In line with the decision adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) on 20 October 2011, the AU is taking steps for the early establishment of a liaison office in Tripoli to be headed by a Special Representative.’’

Ping said the step, together with the effective participation of Libya in the work of the AU organs, including the PSC, would go a long way in assisting the country to step up efforts aimed at completing all actions needed to bring about lasting peace, stability, security, development and democracy to Libya.

News

Why Wike Is Playing God In Rivers -Asari Dokubo

Published

7 hours ago

May 15, 2024

The Tide

A former Niger Delta militant, Asari Dokubo, has claimed that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is “playing god” in the current political crisis that has pitched him against the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
Dokubo also chided President Bola Tinubu for, according to him, handing over “Rivers and Bayelsa” to the ex-governor.
“He is now playing god. It is dead on arrival, all those things that he is doing,” Dokubo said in a video that surfaced on X.com on Monday.
He added, “I advise my friend, President Bola Tinubu; what you are doing to all Ijaw, Ikwerre people in Rivers State (sic). You took Rivers state and gave it one man”
In April, Fubara revealed that the administration has raised the monthly Internally Generated Revenue of the state from N12 billion which he met upon assumption of office to N27 billion.
Dokubo described the development as commendable while alleging that the governor only had access to N6 billion when he assumed office.
“The governor had come out to say that the IGR for Rivers State is now N27bn up from N12bn. The governor is even being economical with the truth. When the governor came in, they were giving him a paltry sum of N6bn,” he said.
Meanwhile, in another twist to the ongoing crisis, Fubara on Monday said that he would set up a panel of inquiry to look into the affairs of governance in the state.
He disclosed this during the swearing-in and administration of the oath of office on Dagogo Iboroma, SAN, as the Attorney General of the state and Commissioner for Justice.
The governor criticized recent comments by the former Attorney-General of the State and Justice Commissioner, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor, SAN, who resigned from his cabinet over a fortnight ago and urged the new Attorney-General to defend the state.
He stated, “It is not the one that while you were here… the only thing you do is to sabotage the government.
“Instead of you to close your mouth, you publicly claim that you’re a learned person to tell people that you’re the Chief Law Officer. Chief Law Officer, you were here and went to stand before a Magistrate Court.
“At that time you didn’t remember that you’re a Chief Law Officer going against the ethics of your job.”

News

Investors, Tourists To Get Visa Within 48 Hours, FG Assures

Published

7 hours ago

May 15, 2024

The Tide

The Federal Executive Council chaired by President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of a tripartite committee to streamline visa processes and acquisition for investors interested in investing in Nigeria.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, revealed this, yesterday, after the FEC meeting held at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“Our visa processes are becoming cumbersome. The ease of doing business is also tied to our visa processes.
“Going forward, those investors, tourists would find it easy to acquire a visa within the next 48 hours,” Idris said.
The meeting which began on Monday was adjourned till Tuesday to allow for other “far-reaching” decisions, the information minister had told journalists.

News

Panel To Probe Governance In Rivers Underway -Fubara …Swears In Iboroma As New Attorney-General

Published

7 hours ago

May 15, 2024

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared his readiness to set up a panel of inquiry to look into the affairs of governance in the state.
Fubara disclosed this during the swearing-in and administration of the oath of office on Dagogo Iboroma, SAN, as the new Attorney General of the state and Commissioner for Justice.
The governor criticised recent comments by the former Attorney-General of the State and Justice Commissioner, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor, SAN, who resigned from his cabinet over a fortnight ago and urged the new Attorney-General to defend the state.
Fubara stated, “It is not the one that while you were here… the only thing you do is to sabotage the government.
“Instead of you to close your mouth, you publicly claim that you’re a learned person to tell people that you’re the Chief Law Officer. Chief Law Officer, you were here and went to stand before a Magistrate Court.
“At that time you didn’t remember that you’re a Chief Law Officer going against the ethics of your job.”
Addressing the new AG, the governor said, “You have a big task. As it is today in the local parlance, they say the jungle has matured. We will be setting a panel of inquiry to investigate the affair of governance.”
The governor further said there was a deliberate attempt to sabotage his administration, saying, “If we disagree, no matter how bad it is, it should be resolved.
“But it has become very clear that this disagreement there is no headway to it, and for many reasons, there is very visible evidence that there is sabotage, a deliberate attempt to sabotage this administration.
“Maybe where they are they are telling them nothing will happen, it is happening here live, we have our own legislators that are performing their duties according to the Constitution. So that record is threatened.”