Editor’s Note: Yoweri Museveni has served as the President of Uganda for the past 25 years, during which time he has interacted repeatedly with Col. Moammar Gadhafi. For a profile of Museveni, click here. The unedited article below solely expresses the views of President Museveni.
By Yoweri Museveni, President of Uganda
By the time Col. Muammar al-Gadhafi came to power in 1969, I was a third-year university student at Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania. We welcomed his rise because he was a leader in the tradition of Col. Gamal Abdul Nasser of Egypt who had a nationalist and pan-Arabist position.
Soon, however, problems cropped up with Gadhafi as far as Uganda and black Africa were concerned:
Backing Idi Amin: Idi Amin came to power in 1971 with the support of Britain and Israel because they thought he was uneducated enough to be used by them. Amin, however, turned against his sponsors when they refused to sell him guns to fight Tanzania. Unfortunately, Gadhafi, without first getting enough information about Uganda, jumped in to support Idi Amin. He did this because Amin was a "Muslim" and Uganda was a "Muslim country," where Muslims were being "oppressed" by Christians. Amin killed a lot of people extrajudicially, and Gadhafi was identified with these mistakes.
In 1972 and 1979, Gadhafi sent Libyan troops to defend Amin when we [the Uganda National Liberation Front] attacked him. I remember a Libyan Tupolev Tu-22 bomber trying to bomb us in Mbarara in 1979. The bomb ended up in Nyarubanga, Burundi, because the pilots were scared. They could not come close to bombing their intended target properly. We had already shot-down many of Amin's MIGs using surface-to-air missiles. Our Tanzanian brothers and sisters were doing much of this fighting. Many Libyan militias were captured and repatriated to Libya by Tanzania. This was a big mistake by Gadhafi and a direct aggression against the people of Uganda and East Africa.
Pushing for a United States of Africa: The second big mistake by Gadhafi was his position vis-à-vis the African Union (AU), where he called for a continental government "now." Since 1999, he has been pushing this position. Black people are always polite. They, normally, do not want to offend other people. This is called obufura in the Runyankore language, or mwolo in Luo - handling, especially strangers, with care and respect. It seems some of the non-African cultures do not haveobufura. You can witness a person talking to a mature person as if he or she is talking to a kindergarten child. "You should do this; you should do that; etc." We tried to politely point out to Gadhafi that continental governance was difficult in the short and medium term. We should, instead, aim at the Economic Community of Africa and, where possible, also aim at Regional Federations.
But Gadhafi would not relent. He would not respect the rules of the AU. Topics or discussions that had been covered by previous meetings would be resurrected by Gadhafi. He would "overrule" a decision taken by all other African heads of state. Some of us were forced to come out and oppose his wrong position and, working with others, we repeatedly defeated his illogical position.
Proclaiming himself king of kings: The third mistake has been the tendency by Gadhafi to interfere in the internal affairs of many African countries, using the little money Libya has compared to those countries. One blatant example was his involvement with cultural leaders of black Africa - kings, chiefs, etc. Since the political leaders of Africa had refused to back his project of an African government, Gadhafi, incredibly, thought that he could bypass them and work with these kings to implement his wishes. I warned Gadhafi in Addis Ababa that action would be taken against any Ugandan king who involved himself in politics, because it was against our Constitution. I moved a motion in Addis Ababa to expunge from the records of the AU all references to kings (cultural leaders) who had made speeches in our forum, because they had been invited there illegally by Colonel Gadhafi.
Ignoring the plight of Southern Sudan: The fourth big mistake was made by most of the Arab leaders, including Gadhafi to some extent. This was in connection with the long suffering people of southern Sudan. Many of the Arab leaders either supported or ignored the suffering of the black people in that country. This unfairness always created tension and friction between us and the Arabs. However, I must salute Gadhafi and President Hosni Mubarak for travelling to Khartoum just before the referendum in Sudan, during which time they advised President Omar al-Bashir to respect the results of that exercise.
Terrorism: Sometimes Gadhafi and other Middle Eastern radicals do not distance themselves sufficiently from terrorism, even when they are fighting for a just cause. Terrorism is the use of indiscriminate violence - not distinguishing between military and nonmilitary targets. The Middle Eastern radicals, quite different from the revolutionaries of black Africa, seem to say that any means is acceptable as long as you are fighting the enemy. That is why they hijack planes, use assassinations, plant bombs in bars, etc. Why bomb bars? People who go to bars are normally merrymakers, not politically minded people.
We were together with the Arabs in the anticolonial struggle. The black African liberation movements, however, developed differently from the Arab ones. Where we used arms, we fought soldiers or sabotaged infrastructure but never targeted noncombatants. These indiscriminate methods tend to isolate the struggles of the Middle East and the Arab world. It would be good if the radicals in these areas could streamline their work methods in this area of using violence indiscriminately.
These are some of the negative points in connection to Gadhafi as far as Uganda's patriots have been concerned over the years. Each of these positions taken by Gadhafi have been unfortunate and unnecessary.
Nevertheless, Gadhafi has also had many positive points, objectively speaking. These positive points have been for the good of Africa, Libya, and the Third World.
I will deal with them point by point:
Gadhafi is a nationalist: Gadhafi has conducted an independent foreign policy and, of course, also independent internal policies. I am not able to understand the position of Western countries, which appear to resent independent-minded leaders and seem to prefer puppets. Puppets are not good for any country. Most of the countries that have transitioned from Third World to First World status since 1945 have had independent-minded leaders: South Korea (Park Chung-hee), Singapore (Lee Kuan Yew), China People's Republic (Mao Tse Tung, Chou Enlai, Deng Xiaoping, Marshal Yang Shangkun, Li Peng, Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao), Malaysia (Dr. Mahthir Mohamad), Brazil (Luis Inacio Lula da Silva), Iran (the Ayatollahs Khomeini and Khamenei), etc. Between World War I and World War II, the Soviet Union transitioned into an industrial country, propelled by the dictatorial but independent-minded Joseph Stalin. In Africa, we have also benefited from a number of independent-minded leaders: Colonel Nasser of Egypt, Mwalimu Nyerere of Tanzania, Samora Machel of Mozambique, and others. That is how southern Africa was liberated. That is how we got rid of Idi Amin. The stopping of genocide in Rwanda and the overthrow of Mobutu Sese-Seko in the Democratic Republic of the Congo were as a result of efforts of independent-minded African leaders.
Gadhafi, whatever his faults, is a true nationalist. I prefer nationalists to puppets of foreign interests. Where have the puppets caused the transformation of countries? I need some assistance with information on this from those who are familiar with puppetry.
By contrast, the independent-minded Gadhafi had some positive contributions to Libya, I believe, as well as Africa and the Third World. Take just one example: At the time we were fighting the criminal dictatorships here in Uganda, we had a problem arising of a complication caused by our failure to capture enough guns at Kabamba on Feb. 6, 1981. Gadhafi gave us a small consignment of 96 rifles, 100 anti-tank mines, etc., that was very useful. He did not consult Washington or Moscow before he did this. This was good for Libya, for Africa, and for the Middle East. We should also remember as part of that independent-mindedness the fact that he expelled British and American military bases from Libya.
He raised the price of oil: Before Gadhafi came to power in 1969, a barrel of oil was 40 American cents. He launched a campaign to withhold Arab oil unless the West paid more for it. I think the price went up to $20 per barrel. When the Arab-Israel war of 1973 broke out, the barrel of oil went up to $40. I am, therefore, surprised to hear that many oil producers in the world, including the Gulf countries, do not appreciate the historical role played by Gadhafi on this issue. The huge wealth many of these oil producers are enjoying was, at least in part, due to Gadhafi's efforts. The Western countries have continued to develop in spite of paying more for oil. It therefore means that the pre-Gadhafi oil situation was characterized by super exploitation of oil producing countries by the Western countries.
Gadhafi built Libya: I have never taken the time to investigate socio-economic conditions within Libya. When I was last there, I could see good roads, even from the air. From the TV pictures, you can even see the rebels zooming up and down in pick-up trucks on very good roads accompanied by Western journalists. Who built these good roads? Who built the oil refineries in Brega and those other places where the fighting has been taking place recently? Were these facilities built during the time of the king and his American and British allies, or were they built by Gadhafi?
In Tunisia and Egypt, some youths immolated themselves because they failed to get jobs. Are the Libyans without jobs also? If so, why are there hundreds of thousands of foreign workers? Is Libya's policy of providing so many jobs to Third World workers bad? Are all the children going to school in Libya? Was that the case in the past - before Gadhafi? Is the conflict in Libya economic or purely political? Possibly Libya could have transitioned more if they encouraged the private sector further. However, this is something the Libyans are better placed to judge. As it is, Libya is a middle income country with a GDP of $62 billion.
He's a moderate: Gadhafi is one of the few secular leaders in the Arab world. He does not believe in Islamic fundamentalism, which is why Libyan women have been able to go to school, to join the army, and so forth. This is a positive point on Gadhafi's side.
Coming to the present crisis, therefore, I need to point out some issues:
First, we must distinguish between demonstrations and insurrections. Peaceful demonstrations should not be fired upon with live bullets. Of course, even peaceful demonstrations should coordinate with the police to ensure that they do not interfere with the rights of other citizens. However, when rioters are attacking police stations and army barracks with the aim of taking power, then they are no longer demonstrators; they are insurrectionists. They will have to be treated as such. A responsible government would have to use reasonable force to neutralize them. Of course, the ideal responsible government should also be one that is elected by the people at periodic intervals. If there is a doubt about the legitimacy of a government, and the people decide to launch an insurrection, that should be the decision of the internal forces. It should not be for external forces to arrogate themselves that role; often, they do not have enough knowledge to decide rightly.
Excessive external involvement always brings terrible distortions. Why should external forces involve themselves? That is a vote of no confidence in the people themselves. A legitimate internal insurrection, if that is the strategy chosen by the leaders of that effort, can succeed. The Shah of Iran was defeated by an internal insurrection; the Russian Revolution in 1917 was an internal insurrection; the Revolution in Zanzibar in 1964 was an internal insurrection; the changes in Ukraine, Georgia, and so forth - all were internal insurrections. It should be for the leaders of the resistance in a given country to decide their strategy, not for foreigners to sponsor insurrection groups in sovereign countries.
I am totally allergic to foreign, political, and military involvement in sovereign countries, especially the African countries. If foreign intervention is good, then, African countries should be the most prosperous countries in the world, because we have had the greatest dosages of that: the slave trade, colonialism, neo-colonialism, imperialism, etc. But all those foreign-imposed phenomena have been disastrous. It is only recently that Africa is beginning to come up, partly because we are rejecting external meddling. External meddling and the acquiescence by Africans into that meddling have been responsible for the stagnation on our continent. The wrong definition of priorities in many African countries is, in many cases, imposed by external groups. Failure to prioritize infrastructure, for instance, especially energy, is, in part, due to some of these pressures. Instead, consumption is promoted. I have witnessed this wrong definition of priorities even here in Uganda. External interests linked up, for instance, with bogus internal groups to oppose energy projects for false reasons. How will an economy develop without energy? Quislings and their external backers do not care about all this.
Second, if you promote foreign backed insurrections in small countries like Libya, what will you do with the big ones like China, a country with a system different from the Western system? Are you going to impose a no-fly zone over China in case of some internal insurrections, as happened in Tiananmen Square, in Tibet, or in Urumqi?
Third, Western countries always use double standards. In Libya, they are very eager to impose a no-fly zone. In Bahrain and other areas where there are pro-Western regimes, they turn a blind eye to the very same or even worse conditions. We have been appealing to the United Nations to impose a no-fly zone over Somalia - so as to impede the free movement of terrorists linked to al Qaeda, which killed Americans on September 11th, killed Ugandans last July, and have caused so much damage to the Somalis - without success. Why? Are there no human beings in Somalia, as there are in Benghazi? Or is it because Somalia does not have oil that is not fully controlled by the Western oil companies, as in Libya on account of Gadhafi's nationalist posture?
Fourth, the Western countries are always very prompt in commenting on every problem in the Third World - Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, etc. Yet, some of these very countries were the ones impeding growth in those countries. There was a military coup d'état that slowly became a revolution in backward Egypt in 1952. The new leader, Nasser, had ambitions to oversee the transformation of Egypt. He wanted to build a dam not only to generate electricity but also to help with the ancient irrigation system of Egypt. He was denied money by the West because they did not believe that Egyptians needed electricity. Nasser decided to raise that money by nationalizing the Suez Canal. He was attacked by Israel, France, and Britain. To be fair to the United States, President Eisenhower opposed that aggression that time. Of course, there was also the firm stance of the Soviet Union at that time. How much electricity was this dam supposed to produce? Just 2000 megawatts - for a country like Egypt!! What moral right, then, do such people have to comment on the affairs of these countries?
Fifth, the by-now-entrenched habit of the Western countries over-using their technological superiority to impose war on less developed societies, without impeachable logic, will ignite an arms race in the world. The actions of the Western countries in Iraq and now Libya are emphasizing that might is "right." I am quite sure that many countries that are able to will scale up their military research, and in a few decades, we may have a more armed world. Weapons science is not magic. A small country like Israel is now a superpower in terms of military technology. Yet 60 years ago, Israel had to buy second-hand Fouga Magister planes from France. There are many countries that can become small Israels if this trend of Western countries overusing military means continues.
Sixth, all this notwithstanding, Col. Gadhafi should be ready to sit down with the opposition, under the mediation of the AU, with the opposition cluster of groups which now includes individuals well known to us. I know Gadhafi has his system of elected committees that convene to form a National People's Conference. Actually, Gadhafi thinks this is superior to our multi-party systems. Of course, I have never had time to study how truly competitive this system is. Anyway, even if it is competitive, there is now, apparently, a significant number of Libyans who think that there is a problem in their country's governance. Since there has not been internationally observed elections in Libya, not even by the AU, we cannot know what is correct and what is false. Therefore, a dialogue is the correct way forward.
Seventh, the AU mission was unable to enter Libya because the Western countries started bombing the day before they were supposed to arrive. However, the mission will continue. My opinion is that, in addition to what the AU mission is doing, it may be important to call an extraordinary summit of the AU in Addis Ababa to discuss this grave situation.
Eighth, regarding the Libyan opposition, I would feel embarrassed to be backed by Western war planes. Quislings of foreign interests have never helped Africa. We have had a copious supply of them in the last 50 years - Mobutu Sese-Seko, Houphouet Boigny, Kamuzu Banda, etc. The West has made a lot of mistakes in Africa and in the Middle East in the past. Apart from the slave trade and colonialism, they participated in the killing of Patrice Lumumba, until recently the only elected leader of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the poisoning of Cameroonian political leader Felix Moummie, and the assassination of Prime Minister Bartholomew Boganda of the Central African Republic. The West supported UNITA in Angola, Idi Amin - at the beginning of his regime - in Uganda, and the counter-revolutionaries in Iran in 1953. Recently, there has been some improvement in the arrogant attitudes of some of these Western countries. Certainly, with black Africa and, particularly, Uganda, the relations are good following the fair stand the West has taken on the fate of the black people of southern Sudan. With the democratization of South Africa and the freedom of the black people in southern Sudan, the difference between the patriots of Uganda and the Western governments had disappeared. Unfortunately, these rash actions on Libya are beginning to raise new problems. They should be resolved quickly.
Ninth, if the Libyan opposition groups are patriots, they should fight their war by themselves and conduct their affairs by themselves. After all, they easily captured so much equipment from the Libyan Army, why do they need foreign military support? I only had 27 rifles. To be puppets is not good.
Tenth, as to the international community, the African members of the Security Council voted for this resolution on Libya. This was contrary to what the Africa Peace and Security Council had decided in Addis Ababa recently. This is something that only the extraordinary AU summit can resolve. It was good that certain big countries in the Security Council - Russia, China, Brazil, and India - abstained on this resolution. This shows that there are balanced forces in the world that will, with more consultations, evolve more correct positions.
Eleventh, and finally, being members of the United Nations, we are bound by the resolution that was passed, however rushed the process. Nevertheless, there is a mechanism for review. The Western countries, which are most active in these rushed actions, should consider that route. It may be one way of extricating all of us from possible nasty complications. What if the Libyans loyal to Gadhafi decide to fight on? Using tanks and planes that are easily targeted by French President Nicolas Sarkozy's planes is not the only way of fighting. Who will be responsible for such a protracted war? It is high time we did more careful thinking.
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"They, normally, do not want to offend other people. This is called obufura in the Runyankore language, or mwolo in Luo – handling, especially strangers, with care and respect. " – China has that too. It's called saving face. They want to respect your dignity, so they will not be harsh to your face
with all due respect to President Museveni, i disagree with his view that the west is ill-motivated or applying double standards. I concede wth west has erred much in the past and he is correct in suggesting we should learn from this (as africa too must learn from its past errors). President Obama did not want to intervene in libya, however the images of AIR ATTACKS by Gadafi on libyans (protestors or insurgents...who gets to define?) is what coerced the american public and the president to feel a moral obligation to do something (memories of Rwanda anyone?). Had Gadafi simply use ground troops as Bahrain, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen & Syria is doing...then i assure you Mr President that they U.S. would have stayed out as our president and much of the American public wanted. Mr President i understand your sensitivity to western interventionism of the past, but as a keen intellect you should be diligent and nuanced enough not to provincialize the past into the present and commit the error of reflexive cyncism....you must assess each occurence on its own without the carry-forward. Thanks for sharing your opinion.
Respectfully.
You are right on one thing, but wrong on the other..."images of AIR ATTACKS by Gadafi on libyans (protestors or insurgents...who gets to define?) "...the right thing...the American public got dupped by "images", the press. I am sure you are aware that it is not the first time that we got fooled into believing in something that was not accurate (remember weapons of mass destruction in Iraq?)...How do you suggest the established leadership ("democratic" or not) deals with armed people taking over a region and demanding the former to step down...how do you believe the American government would react if the people of Iowa for example took up arms and decided Obama should step down...just think.
Kadhaffi isn't a saint and is foolish at times but I truly believe that Obama got outplayed by the French who sought to increase their control over African economies by eliminating the competition (Libya). Not to mention that with Kadhaffi dead, Sarkozy wouldn't have to pay the money that the libyan government loaned him for his presidential campaign.
The dictator had this written for him because he is afraid he could be next in line. He is trying to be normal and prevent his people from toppling him.
I fully agree with Mr.Museveni. He is right on many positions, especially his position that external forces are bad for black africans. He is also more intelligent that white western leaders by remaining an alleged dictator. Mr.Museveni knows that all the so-called great nations mentioned in the christian old testament were ruled by dictators and tyrants. By modern standards king Solomon, king David, Joshua, Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus the Persian etc. were tyrants. Did not king Solomon kill his own brothers Adonijah for no good reasons? Did not God refused to allow king David to build his Holy house because David had shed too much blood in the sight of the earth?Did not the democracy of the roman empire illegally invaded jerusalem and egypt? Shall i mention the tyrant Alexander the Great?Thus, Mr. Museveni shunning alleged western democracy is in line with the great men of the bible.See how dumb westerners are compared to an intelligent black african leader like Mr. Museveni?
The facts are known. The whole world witnessed what happened in Libya, also happened in Tunisia, and in Egypt. Only Gaddafy acted foolishly to handle the very opportunity of democratic process, In his Minds Museveni aligned with Gaddafy thinking that those citizens who want change are insurrectors, rats, terrorists, "they have to face brutal forces and punishment". Museveni is wrong even to his many positive points on Gaddafi, eg Gaddaffi built Libya?, how?, if so why not then Iddi Amini built Uganda?
The west has double standards. I am from Sri Lanka where we had a very repressive war with several rapes and murders and killings over several years. India is adjacent to Sri Lanka and the west, especially the US, turned a blind eye to the atrocities committed by the government. The Sri Lankan government always maintained a cordial relationship with the US and that was significant in their dismissal of the colossal atrocities committed. The present president, much to the chagrin of the west is a hawk and a socialist/communist. He wiped out the rebels and then invited people like Iran's president to Sri Lanka!
dear brother. I am a descendent of those forced into slavery in america and I can truely say that president museveni is correct about the ill motivated intentions of the american government. They have always operated on a double standard especially when it comes to us black americans. Obama is no better than Bush was. He started a bogus war at the exspense of the american people. As for Gadhafi it has always been the american policy to get ride of him. Obama just happened to find the right opprotunity with a fake excuse(humanitarian criss) to do it. There is evidence that the rebels are linked to al aqaida. Al aqaida has been blamed by the U.S to be responsible for the 911 attacks that killed 1000's. And america is fighting a war in afkanistan against them. So how are they supporting al aqaida on one hand and fighting them on the other. Double standards. They never like those who they can't control. what about patrice lamuba and kwame nkrumah? memories of rawanda? what about dafur? Hes not sending troops there. What it balls down to is OIL Don't let that half black and half white face(obama) trick you into believing america has changed. Obama made many promises during his campaign for presidency but has fullfilled none of them. Typical politican. And if black americans stood up to declare our independance from our former slavemasters and their children and began to rebel like those rebels in libya are doing, you can rest assure that the president would call out the police, cia, national guard, army and what ever military force they needed to crush the rebellion. Hell look what they did to the black panther party. In libya it is a civil war and both sides are killing libyan people. However it is America, french, and british forces that are joining with the rebels to killing other libyan people.
the peaceful. Well said.
Your asessment is excellent, to conclude how can we trust another dictator like this one in Uganda
I truly believe that Museveni deserves some listening! I think being in power for so long he obviously has some positive contributions. if the western countries really cared that much, they should move quick and fix the problem in Ivory Coast too!!! I understand that in Ivory Coast there has not been any air-bombing yet but still people are being killed! Why don't the US and other countries impose sanctions or no fly zone in Ivory Coast???
it is hard to miss the underlying interests that the Western countries have in Libya:
1. They want some president they can control (a puppet).
2. They want to revenge and and avenge for the "Locabie" bombing which Gaddafi was implicated in that case!
Or, maybe I'm wrong but the last time I heard McCain cannot stand President Obama "slow moving" into Libya because according to McCain, this is the time to oust Gaddafi! I don't know what exactly that means but I'm just worried that any president that don't share same views or behave how how the Western countries want him to, will be attacked!!
I really don't think that should be the case! Nobody meddled with Americans business even when President Bush attacked Iraq...
I think instead of bombing Libya and imposing sanctions, we would have used those resources to resolve the problems by involving AU, UN and the Libyans...but since that didn't happen, then all we can do is sit back and watch the world "superpowers" quench their thirst of killing spree!!
Did you see how Italians were quick to support that? hmmm...and you wonder what double standards mean? I thought Berlusconi has been having enough problems in his country??(underage prostitution)....Sakosky cannot provide enough jobs to the French??? US is yet to recover from depression.....
Please help me how oil is not a factor....in the name of protecting the Libyan people??
Are the Lybians civilians only on the rebels side?The western intervetion is not fair.Gadhafi's troops are not fighting civilians but rebels.
Too bad there aren't any real footage of protesters being bombed like the media tried to portray.
Saving face usually refers tosaving yourself some embarrassment and shame not others.
To all the dumb Mao and Museveni bashers look at how powerful china has become by shunning democracy like old testament prophets?Also, what about the tyrant Abraham Lincoln?Did he not killed thousands of his people while he had more slaves than Robert E.Lee? Again, Mr. Museveni understanding of the real world is more accurate than brain washed americans who don,t realize that democracy was built by the brutal onslaught of Abraham Lincoln and i am sure china learned from this at Tianamen square.Yet, i give china straigh A,s in rebuilding their country and i as an african american am proud to hear Mr. Museveni speak so intelligently as a true black african leader.
Oscar Huff Umoja: Sources? Lincoln had more slaves than all of the Confederacy? Huh?
EI
This is in response to El's comments above. I had to write it here because the system reached the maximum number of comments for that posting:
Museveni pays alot of people like you to defend him on the web. I am Ugandan and I think you are Ugandan too but you need to look at the suffering people of your country first and Museveni / money after.
@ Oscar Huff - You're so wrapped up in your own Anti-American lies that I think it would be best if you and America part ways. Move to Libya and help out you brother Gadhafi. That way, when all hell is breaking loose around you, you can look up at the American bomber and curse it with your last breath - for once in your life, all of your hate (and fear)would be justified in the moment. Otherwise, you're a bigot, fraud and traitor. Man up, pack up, and don't look back. We don't want or need you here but your dictator buddies do. Follow your heart right to the International departure gate.
Oscar Huff Umoja is right. Lincoln did not invade the south over slavery. Read his August, 1862 open letter to the New York Tribune. Written right in the middle of the war. By directing the slaughter of 620,000, Lincoln forced the country from it's intended "republic of soverign states" (a confederacy) to a "democracy". An empire controlled by the central government.
Free South is still fighting the American Civil War, which ended in 1865. That was probably about a century before he was born. The South lost; get over it. Now exit your ratty trailer, get into your pickup with the rebel flag in the back window and go hang out with your fellow loser Klan buddies.
Ed. Congradulations. You are correct. War ended in 1865. And General Grant was still a slaveowner. Did you read the letter?...Didn't think so.
Only 27 rifles? Really? Come on Mr President! I will remind you of what I know that you received from that tiny country in the south... the weapons, blankets, sugar, ... from Burundi. Have you already forgotten the outpouring of support from your hima friend Col Jean Baptiste Bagaza.
Plus, don't compare your fight to that of Libyan rebels; you wouldn't beat Kadafi forces with 27 riffles (plus anything you may want from Burundi), would you?
Minos does not have good reading comprehension.I never said that Quadafy was my brother.Nor did i say i support Quadafy.I know nothing about arab business.What i clearly said was i support my black african brother Museveni for speaking as a real black african leader.I am an african american and i don,t called people outside black skin my brother.Whatever is going on between Quadafy and arabs is their business.Also, since when is speaking freely an anti-american posture?Minos is Quadafy,s brother and an anti-american for not wanting me to speak freely.Isn,t western nations accusing Quadafy of suppressing free speech?Well,if he is, then Minos is his brother and should move to Libya.Or, Minos should stand up for democracy by saying Oscar Huff Umoja has a right to speak freely.I say Minos has a right to speak freely even when it,s obvious Minos does not comprehend clearly.
I lived in Libya. I still have family and friends in Libya. What Gaddafi "built" is a joke. 42 years in power and there are no decent roads. There aren't enough houses for people. The education system is a joke just like Gaddafi and military service is mandatory so he can send people to die whenever and wherever he wants. This president of Uganda is a joke as well if he believes all this nonsense about Gaddafi. Gaddafi is a souless terrorist and criminal and anyone who respects that has no decency.
@Oscar Huff Umoja... It seems that, you are confused, or lack of knowledge and contradicting... I can help you to think, Think this way, "MINOS IS ALSO HAS RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH"...
Like all tiresome dictators, Mr. Museveni confuses a whole country with a dictator. In all of his ramblings he never explains why Gadhafi has the right to oppress a country for 42 years. Also Mr. Museveni happily accepted Tanzania's help in fighting Idi Amin, but somehow sees a problem with the West helping Libya. Here is some news for you, Mr. Museveni, Libya is only geographically in Africa, its heritage and culture is Mediterranean. So Libyans aspire to be like free Europe and not like an Africa dominated by despots like you.
You have no clue as what you are talking about. You know nothing about this man or his country.
Neither do you or he know anything about Libya. He and you should just shut the hell up and let the Libyans take care of their country.
You Sir, do not know anyhting about real democracy. if President Museveni is a true democrat, he wouldn't rig elections and change the constitution to abolish term limit. correct me if i'm wrong, but i think he is of the same mindsight as gaddhafi in terms of life presidents. we as Africans don't learn. even though i agree with the independency of some leaders with regards to the west, the tendency to disrespect the intelligence of the natives is stupid. he never mentioned Mugabi, who had good intentions for Zimbabwe till he felt he should be president for life.
Mo is right. WilhemF is one of the Museveni paid dudes to defend the despot dictator online.
One final reply to people like Minos and others who does not know real history or facts. I refer all concerned to 1 Chronicles 22:verses 6,7,and 8.Then to 1 Kings 2:verses 22,23,24 and 25. Also, Minos did not comment on Abraham Lincoln crushing the will of the people in the south and democracy is about the will of the people.African black leaders are sticking closer to what the biblical prophets set up.No biblical prophet allowed the people to vote for their successors. It,s surprising how many westerners don,t know this yet they claim the bible is the word of God.Even my brother Museveni position on homosexuality is biblical.Need i recite any biblical verses?Now i will do like the prophet Daniel was told – i will seal up my book and write no more replies and go my way and those with good reading comprehension and good intentions will understand.
Oscar Huff Umoja...I see you confused, you need help. your points are irrelevant here.
Mo: are Western planes, ships and aircraft carriers a part of "let the Libyans take care of their country"?
You know nothing ! you westerners only know how to rape and capture !
I've never raped nor "captured" (whatever that means in this context) anybody. But thanks for demonstrating that Third Worlders can be bigots, too.
this is what a 3rd world education will get you.
Out of all the replies in this subject, my replies caught kanyoke and minos attention.It,s also interesting that kanyoke find only my replies to be irrelevant.The truth catches people attention and it gets very emotional responses.Yet, kanyoke has a right to speak freely and to fight against those he feels wronged him.Still,he should get good reading comprehension skills which would unconfuse him.
I believe you should re-read and re-read again until you understand his arguments, then you would know the difference. Libya is in the African continent and The African Union should be the first to mediate not the western countries who only have thing in mind, control of oil for politician's business partners.
What has the AU done for Africa? Absolutely nothing, money hungry useless leaders.
Unfortunately the African Union or AU is a club of despot dictators that kill and tear gas their people all the time. Can you mention any one problem solved by the African Union? They are working hard to protect their fellow dictator. The more dictators they have on ground, the safer they feel
Mugabe sent the snipers to Libya hence I don't see any benefit the AU would bring to Libya. These old dictators, African leaders, friends of gadafi would use the AU to deploy sodiers to fight the rebels. You can't trust an african dictator if gadafi offers money. So even if I am African I say viva USA and NATO.
Museveni is no different from idi Amin for they are both dictators pushing the people to the wall everytime. It's not about the west but about having leadership that hears and responds to the people's concern and that is what Africa needs. Not leaders who aim to enrich themselves and their inner circles. Therefore Museveni too must go.
Do to kanyoka haaving came out of a traumatic experience in libya,his position merits this one last reply.Thousands of african americans supports Gaddafi past and current and some of these african americans are very influential.Thus,kanyoka is actually labeling these african americans as confused they actually have verbally supported Gadaffi wherein i know nothing about libya or Gadaffi.This is the value of getting good reading comprehension skills.Otherwise,kanyoke will find himself labeling many african american supporters of Gaddaffi as being stupid,confused and anti american.Why do so many black africans and african americans don,t see things the way kanyoka sees them?
Nato and US interference in the Lybia's current situation, the Egypt and Tunnisia revolution made President Mosevini and his other African Despotic buddies including the guys who currently ruling Ethiopia (btw he is his bff) and Eritriea's Isayias Afeworki really, really nervous. they are closely following these current middle east revolutions and do the best they could in preventing its success so that they could continue to stay in power for ever. and the above article is one of the many efforts these leaders' will be pulling out in the near future. i can imagine only that he wrote this one during one of the few sleepless nights he is having.
Why would anyone want to be like Europe or America. These are the most depraved countries in the world. Africa was fine until Romans, British, Germans etc. with there superiority complexes came. Truthfully the U.S. is in no moral position to call anyone wrong or dig in other countries business. They don't give a d@mn about those people over there.
They are better than dictator Museveni because they protect life. The despotic dictator kills and tear gases his own people. He had this article written for him because he is afraid he is next in the near future. He knows a revolution does not require a political leader but just a few determined individuals that can use facebook or twitter in addition to cell texting to collaborate and stage a peaceful demonstration.
And where do you call home? Hopefully not America or Europe.
I will say it again "GOD BLESS AMERICA"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A COUNTRY TO WHICH YOU MIGHT LIKE TO COME TO LIVE WHEN YOUR DICTATOR PUSHES YOU OUT OF YOUR COUNTRY.
I’ll like my fellow Americans to please answers these questions
1: Prior to the US bombing, Kaddafi forces manage to re-capture all previous held cities, Why didn’t he murder his own people in those cities as being alleged, “ He was moving in to kill his own people” Please also bare in mind, prior to the US bombing it was reported that about 1000 people was killed, where they civilians or rebel?
2. Obama ran on the war in Iraq, positioning himself as a negotiator and a peace maker, he won the likes of many Non violent civilians and the anti war population around the world. My question is, unlike former Pres. Bush who took months before going into Iraq, what means did Pres. Obama sort resize bullying others to join him in the Security Council?
3. President Obama, told us he was open to talking with adversary, Have he spoken to any, if yes , who?
3. Can someone please tell me what was the purpose of the Nobel Peace Prize? Bare in mind, he was president for only few months, wasn’t the peace prize given because of situation as such in the Middle East now, did he conducted yourself as a peace prize recipient or a ………… How come our president didn’t at least attempt to broker some form of negotiation before bombing a sovereign country?
4. Is America a country now that will openly back rebels with pride?
5. Why did all the BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India, china) didn’t participate?
6.If this is strictly a humanitarian and prevention of mass murders, why not over here too http://article.wn.com/view/2011/03/28/The_Ivory_Coast_Libya_and_Rwanda_Redux/
Your English shows you are not American. To answer your questions briefly,
1. Haven’t you been reading statements from doctors in all those towns? Lots of people have been killed by Qaddafi forces.
2. You may want to follow current affairs. France and Britain initiated requests to the security council. The US saw the need for protecting people that were being attacked by Qaddafi forces. If the coalition didn’t intervene, they had started shelling Benghazi and several people were already dead in Benghazi and other places.
3. The Nobel peace prize came into action when the coalition established a no fly zone to protect the defenseless Libyans that Colonel Qaddafi was shelling mercilessly. If the Nobel didn’t act, you would have seen another Bosnia or Rwanda and who do you think would be blamed for that?
4. The rebels are people like you and me that found it necessary to defend themselves and their families. Over 90 percent of them are civilians of all walks of life.
5. Look at the human rights records of the countries you mentioned and you will know why they didn’t participate
6. Suctions are in place in Ivory Coast. When the Security Council sees that it is time, Gbagbo will have to go. That time is coming soon.
Tom
Your response is as ignorant to the issues as your statement about not being an American, what that have to do with the issues. Yes, I m an American citizen, and about the answers you give..... are you really serious? Before you come up with answers to questions like those I posted, please be a little logical in your views, read a little bit more world news before giving bogus answers like those you posted Mr. Talking-Point Tom. Talk first, Bomb last, thats's the way to go or perhaps sent your own relatives to die in another man's land, since you're more American then others from the way you write.
Tom. The rebels have been linked to al aqaida and the truth is coming to light more each day. NATO COMMANDER JUST CLARIFIED THAT.
Very good questions? He wasn't killing his own people he was crushing the armed(where did they get the arms from?) rebels' Some of them are al aqaida memebers.
I have friends and family in Libya who have seen with their own eyes the atrocities being committed by Gaddafi the criminal and his thugs. Gaddafi is sending his paid mercenaries to kidnap, torture, rape and kill people. I personally lived under the terror of this criminal for many years. The "rebels" are all the Libyan people except for that small minority in Gaddafi's pocket. If you actually read the articles instead of just the headlines you would realize what they said was that Al-Qaeda would like to become involved with the Libyan people but the Libyan people are not in the least bit interested in working with Al-Qaeda. I am so so sick of people pretending like they know something when they can't be bothered to get their facts straight.
Mo You are so wrong. Libya is more than just 'geographically' in Africa. There are black Libyans who were the original inhabitants of Libya before the Arab insurgents took over the country. That they have been pushed into the background does not mean that their country is no longer theirs. If the Arab Libyans want to be 'free' like the Europeans, maybe they should consider tracing their footsteps back to where they originally came from.
I believe you are so right, people tend to gloss over history and create their own....suddenly some parts of Africa arent inhabited by Africans....if one considers themselves African, be it black, arab, white or whatever else there might be, then they are Africans. Africa should learn to develop from its diversity....we dont envy others...we are AFRICAN
Mo the west is not helping libya, they are trying to get ride of Gadhafi who has been the enemy to begin with. They have joined with the al aqaida linked rebels to get the job done while at the same time killing libyan people. Don't be fooled by the flowery words of preventing a humanitarian crisis. NATO COMMANDER MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE REBELS ALSO INCLUDE AL AQAIDA MEMBERS.
"Gene Cretz, the U.S. ambassador to Libya, called Col. Gadhafi's claims about al Qaeda's role amid the rebels "patently ridiculous.
Mr. Cretz, the point man for U.S. contacts with the rebels, said that opposition forces were "very aware of the problem" and that they had caught "maybe three or four" members of an Algerian al Qaeda affiliate trying to infiltrate rebel forces in the first week of the uprising." Wall Street Journal
Dear Sir,
I am very sorry that you believe the "independent thinkers" you mentioned in your article are great at all especially the likes of Josef Stalin and chairman Mao. Both along with other historical dictators like Adolph Hitler were absolutely blights upon humanity. I believe there is a way to be moral and ethical as a national leader. When a leader does not respect the life/lives of their people they do not deserve to be a leader. Each murderous example above was responsible for millions of peoples deaths and many still untold true stories of immense suffering. Each of us as persons have a responsibitlity to love and stand up for our fellow human brothers and sisters. The world is changed by one person at a time deciding that respect for life and human dignity are how they choose to contribute to society as a whole. True leaders respect life . True leaders lead by example. True leaders would never ever consent to any civilian person dying or suffering so they could rule and live an oppulent lifestyle on what should be national resources (specifically Libya) Many nations are guilty of this one. True leaders would never force someone to abide by a religious law by force as long as they respected laws forbidding crimes from theft to murder (Iran, Saudi Arabia and other theocracies). True leaders respect other peoples beliefs and allow them their opinions as long as they are respectfully aired. Time along with the human element has proved that Communism is a crock and just as corrupt as capitalism. All governments should adopt a global "Bill of Rights" guaranteeing their citizens basic human rights that are free of any state sanctioned religion. Religious intolerance, dictatorships, and of course basic human greed is what causes and fuels the violence in certain areas of the world. The world will change for the better only when the good people in it one at a time in whatever way they can big or small take a stand for themselves and each other by contributing to society in a positive manner.
I do wholly agree with your comment. However, because of the emergence of European greed the world has changed. Of all the countries who abuse there power the U.S.A. is the worse. It would be great to live in a global world, but thats not the reality. Most people are ignorant of the truths behind the lies and cant handle them when brought out. That abliged ignorance makes it possible for the World Powers to be as they are. CORRUPT!!! Also there is a International Bill Of Rights. You can google it and a link will come up. In about 8-15yrs there will be very similar uprisings in this country. Thats when people here will begin to see how much this government doesnt give a d@mn about the citizens here. It will be an interesting time.
Your revolution in "this Country" has already begun in the US. It is called the "Tea Party" movement. The origonal Tea Party was a demonstration against taxes levied by Britain without allowing any representation or input from America. The current Tea Party is a reaction against a Government grown too large. Americans do not want to be involved in other countries affairs. But, we do respond to attacks by other countries. Iraq and Afganistan were invaded because they attacked us. If Omar had listened to Saudi Ariabia ind not supported Al Quida, he might still be in charge there. Fortunatly for Afganistan, he isn't.
Look who is talking.....Perhaps Museveni knows something other people do not know. He is eager to write this message to CNN because he knows he is next. He himself has commited so many atrocities in RD Congo and killed his own people. At least Kadhafi build his country. How about Uganda. Hope one day Museveni will pay for what he did in eastern RDC
That is indeed right Christina. Stalin took away the life of many millions and disregarding the dead here is a sad matter.
Many people remain unaccounted for as they disappeared in the sea of Gulags then wide spread in the most uninhabitable areas of the Soviet Union.
Brilliiant article...especially from an African perspective. What is good for the west has not been good for Africa. The mad man of libya has been no more heavy handed than the leaders of bahrain and other despot Arab leaders. What this article has shown is the benefits he has provided to the Libya prior to this chaos. People need to understand the history .
The real mad men are in syria and iran... those have done nothing for their coountry
Do you know that the Syrian president has resigned today? That means he is not a mad man like Gaddafi and Museveni
Museveni need to resign today
Sounds like we should mind our own business. I pretty much thought that from the beginning.
"sounds like we should mind our own business"... only when it comes to regime change, especially the despots.
how about arming these regimes (btw including Mr. Mosevini) from the begining so that they could continue to govern for ever, of course, as long as they fullfill western interests.
President Museveni,
Thank you very much for taking the time to construct this piece and express your sentiments and viewpoint. Your balanced and intelligent analysis of the situation is much appreciated and after reading this, I have a greater interest in Uganda, and your unique historical experience. Your balanced and level-headed analysis, from your unique perspective, is not lost on others. I wish other world leaders would weigh in similarly.
Thank you very much, through your writing you have helped shape and change the world. Texas, USA.
SHILL! LOL
"Editor’s Note: Yoweri Museveni has served as the President of Uganda for the past 25 years, during which time he has interacted repeatedly with Col. Moammar Gadhafi."
Just incase you missed who penned this article, just another African dispot. – Lusaka Zambia
Very well explained and coherent perspective.
I hope u r being sarcastic in ur analysis... This guy is a dead man walking. He is very delusional. How could he Blame the west and be the darling of the US in Africa? How r u able to stay in power for so long? No no no. Let's wake up!n!
Mombasa you are right. Ugandans need to wake up and get rid of this guy. Face book, twitter, texting are all tools they can use to get together and demonstrate.
President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda sounds like a very intelligent man. We had the privilage of being guests in his great country in the earily 80's right after Ida Amine was kicked out. (We were helping to dig water wells.) My main observation is that Africian countries will only start to get better when they stop blaming others (ie the West) for all of their problems. The West is to blame for some of them to be sure but at some point each Country needs to take resposablility for the chaous that seems to rage between the different tribial groups. The line between good and evil is not drawn between different countries or even different cultures. The line between good and evil cuts through the heart of every man. (To quote Alexander S.)
Intelligent he might be, but a dispot Uganda can do without!
Any president who has been in power for 42 years-Libya or 30 years-Uganda, has no right to claim that they are still working for change and care about their people when we can barely see any consistent democracy in these nations. You have had several decades to implement your change and have failed so in 2 simple words: WALK AWAY!!
Give other citizens a chance.
I have been struggling to try and offer a courteous and constructive comment in response to the views expressed by this man who has been president for 25 years running. The mindset of those who take power and never voluntarily relinquish it is the same no matter where they may be. They are in a bubble of reality in which they are only told that they wish to hear and it comes as a great surprise to them when they find out that in fact they aren't really beloved of everybody in the country and if their people were given a true opportunity they'd throw them out. It is too bad that it takes violence in many places to pry these kleptocrats from their thrones.
So – I guess I'd say that Mr. Museveni has about zero credibility and the most value one gleams from reading his comments is to get a glimmer of insight into the mindset of dictators.
Amen!!!
During the Dynastic Periods of Egypt family's ruled for anywhere from 20-200 years. The difference was the mindset of the people then. It wasn't the way of ruling. Ruling for 50 years is not a negative. The biggest problem is that the world is run by commerce. Thats the evil, its not the ruler. In years past the world worked on the Barter System of transaction. With the institution of commerce came a huge amounts of greed.
The only problem I had with his statement is what he said about Amin. It didnt make since. He said that Amin stood up to Isreal. And that the Muslims where being suppressed by the Christians. So he went to war with the Isreal and I think he said Brittan so they would leave the country. So I don't understand what the reason to try and over through him was. But I already new that the picture painted to the world about Amin is incorrect. He on all accounts was a good person who was about the upliftment of his people. Wasnt gonna let his land be used and robbed by western countries.
Please do a little research before you make conclusions or form opinions, Amin was a dispot that was kicked out curtesy of Mwalimu Nyerere of Tanzania. He brutalised his people before he was forced to flee to Saudi Arabia – ring any bells (the Saudi where who else flees?)
Sir. it sounds like you want to be just like Kaddafi. You been in power for about 25 years only, all you need is another 20 years in power to be just like him. You are just another pathetic leader, all you care about is you and your family and not about the millions of starving people on in Uganda. Do the world a favor and do something to improve people’s lives in your country.
I have had the opportunity to meet President Museveni and went to school with his sone for about a year. He has done a lot of things in Uganda to help the people. He has fought an active insurgent in the LRA. It is the LRA that has victimized the Acholi people in the north. he has made great strides in reducing the AIDs proplem in Uganda. He has put in place a number of initiates to help impoverished communities in Uganda. He has worked on increasing education throughout the country especially for women. The elections in his country have been certified by the international community and there are no term limits. He is far from a dictator and has done a lot of good for Uganda. Now should he step down, I think he should because new leadership is good for a country. With that said he is a good man who does have the best interest of his countrymen in mind as he governs.
"Gadhafi, whatever his faults, is a true nationalist. I prefer nationalists to puppets of foreign interests. Where have the puppets caused the transformation of countries? I need some assistance with information on this from those who are familiar with puppetry."
I need some help with this statement and the others that bash western ideals. I am part of an organization that has raised millions of dollars to help rebuild his country from the rebel war. We empathize, work tirelessly, and take money from our own families to send to educate his children. And this is the response? This is what he really thinks of westerners? Help me understand why I should praise this article? Help me understand why I should believe in the cause?
"With that said he is a good man who does have the best interest of his countrymen in mind as he governs."
- Just like Robert "Bob" Mugabe, and see where Zimbabwe is. Please if you are an appologist for Museveni, you are doing a pretty bad job, get better excuses!
While I don't agree with every conclusion reached, this essay does have several valuable points to share. It is well constructed, obviously well thought out, and full of insights from a point of view seldom heard. Though the writer and I might disagree, some of that would come from our vastly different perspectives, and that's fine. He has seen things up close that I can only watch from afar, and his views, like mine, are clearly tempered by the environment in which he was raised.
We need more dialogue like this, where honest opinions are expressed without rancor, where differing points of view can be openly debated, and alternative positions explored. Maybe we're not as far apart as we tend to believe, and certainly hearing a different viewpoint can provide balance to what might see to be one-sided.
In short, thank you CNN, for publishing this essay. I'm not certain I've changed my mind all that much, but at least I have new ideas to consider. Thank you, also, to President Museveni. Too many of us stopped noticing Uganda once Idi Amin was ousted, and that, sadly, means we know little about what has happened there. Good news from that region doesn't make the news generally. Sad.
excellent article. USA, France should wake up and stop killing Libyans.they have different policies for Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arbaia and all gulf states
Liby is weak. so attcked. can they do the same to CHINA. they cant even touch his finger. Obama begs for money from china. France and UK wants more business with China.
Shame
The international community acted because of teh imminent threat by a pscyhopath to unleash mass murder on his own people who want him gone. If EVER there was a time to stand up and use military force to prevent this outright bloodbath, now is it. These despots need to know their days are numbered. Just a shame, the rest of the world didn't learn the lessons in time for Rwanda and Sudan. And China and Russia deserve a lot of the blame for obstructing more forceful UN interventions elsewhere primarily because their corrupt systems worry they might be seen as hypocrites and may be next.
Dear President Museveni;
I agree with some of what you say and disagree with some of what you say...but I appreciate you taking the time to say it.
Now do a piece on Robert Mugabe. Tell us how much he has done for the people of Zimbabwe and what a wonderful place it is to live.
The greatness of a country can be determined by how many people are desperate to live in it, and how many are desperate to get out.
President Museveni is not a fan of Mugabe.
I just had a feeling that you were an appologist for Museveni!!!! I wonder why he doesnt like Mugabe when they sound the same! "I liberated my country, and I alone hold the key to its development and prosperity"
Good Article. NATO will have a hard time to figure out who to defend in the near future when rebels start fighting pro Gadhafi armed civilians. I wonder what the world powers will do in Syria, civilians are been killed by goverment forces too.
Is dictator Museveni trying to incite pro Gaddafi militias to fight? if so he is not going to be successful in protecting his fellow dictator friend.
Joe, Unlike museveni and gaddafi that wish die torturing their people, the intelligent Syrian leader resigned for the people of Syria today.
SO MUCH TRUTH FROM MR MUSEVENI. UNFORTUNATELY HIS POSITION IS SEVERELY UNDERMINED BY THE FACT THAT HE HIMSELF HAS BEEN PRESIDENT OF UGANDA FOR 25 YEARS. BUT IT DOES NOT CHANGE THE FACT THAT MUCH OF WHAT HE HAS POSTED HERE IS TRUE.
How long has President Yoweri Museveni been in power – time to change also?
Any man who is president for 25 years is dirty. Sorry but that is the truth.
Museveni is a dictator himself and I don't think he any moral authority to talk about Ghadafi. Ghadafi is a dictator and so is Museveni and so is Mugabe. Mr Museveni your time will come once sub-saharan Africa wakes up to fight for freedom.
I agree with you SEKA. Museveni does not have any balls to talk about freedom. He has been the main player in wars in Rwanda,Burundi,Congo etc,......Do you know how many innocent people died? my guess, he knows his time is up. Very soon Ugandans will walk up and do something about it. what a hypocrite.....
The only thing this article demonstrates to me is what Dan Pipes has called "the soft bigotry of low expectations." We, as Americans or Europeans or Australians would never tolerate a man like Museveni running our countries for 25 years, but somehow it's okay in Uganda (or for that matter, in Egypt or Bahrain or Libya) because their societies are "different." In my job, I've worked with many Middle Easterners (mostly Saudis, but also Libyans and Kuwaitis) and Africans (mostly Ivorians) and I can tell you very few of them were happy with rigged elections or endemic corruption. Really, outside of the governing parties and their sycophants, what normal person would be?
This is why the current Middle Eastern unrest is significant. Enough of their citizens have traveled abroad or at least been exposed to the cultures of liberal democracies through the Internet, and they've decided they want some of the reforms that we've begun to take for granted. Museveni is just making excuses for Gaddafi and, indirectly, for himself. In an ideal world, Ugandans would be next up for rebellion.
I never realized how uneducated and, frankly, crazy Museveni is (let alone Qaddafi). He makes Sarah Palin look like Einstein and Abraham Lincoln rolled into one. Africa is in a whole lot of trouble if guys like this are left in charge. I weep for the future.
Amen!!! by the way, his bff, the other Ethiopian despot they are so much alike and it amazes me when i hear both considered the new africa leaders by such vip as Tony Blair and other western leaders. so shame.
How ironic to think that this man cares about anyone but his coffers. After invading DR Congo in early 2000s and causing mayhem to the people of Kisangani in their fight for congolese resources against his former allies the rwandans, he wants now to show off his analytical skills through this peace of writing. 25 years as the sole "decider " in Uganda makes him no different than Gaddafi in Lybia the past 42 years. Shame on you Mr. Museveni for all the blood of africans you have wasted over the years. Why don't you just vanish away for a change in Uganda?
Thank you Mr President, for your insightful analysis. I do not care if the president is in power for 200 years,so far as he can lift the Ugandan people out of poverty and make the world a better place. If not then he must give other well meaning people an opportunity. Democracy has also brought the crazies of Putin and Chavez and Gbagbo( yes he was elected in 2001 ) and the madness that was Hitler...people talk as if it is the cure all..it is not .it can be the tyranny of the majority with the vested interests. Mr Museveni may not be a Saint but his analysis is good. About the 2 faced UN and the west ? Can someone tell if the security council is a democracy...out of over 210 countries in world, how come five countries have the veto power over all decisions...all European and one Asian country.
Kwame:
I wish you knew what you are talking about. Do you know how many have been killed by the murderous regime of museveni?
Are you sure he lifted poverty in Uganda? The guy has intentionally impoverished Ugandan villages except his home district. He takes money and distributes through his members of parliament just before every elections and the extremely poor Ugandan villagers then get to their knees to thank for an equivalent of less than a dollar in exchange for a vote.
He spends tax payers funds on his campaigns as opposed to his opponents.
He owns the electro commission, the military and police to intimidate and tear gas people.
News papers write what he want them to. In fact your comments were very disturbing to me.
I know museveni is going to follow his friend in arms Gaddafi that has kept him in power over the years.
Kwame u should care. I dont like what the west is doing in Africa. But to support Museveni after 25 years, 25years is beyond reality. Museveni is no better. He is no good for Uganda, no good for Africa. He is leader with no true vision. He has no plan for Uganda. What after his death? Is he establishing a true a system that works for the people? Don't think so. Think hard..
Interesting words by this leader but this is the same leader of a country that has declared homosexuals as illegal and looking to pass laws to execute them and those people with HIV. Interesting how he feels Libya should have endured the slaughter of it's madman leader.
Jim, the gay issue is not a Museveni issue. In our african cultures, it hardly ever crosses anyones imagination. It is the lowest level to which human morality can go. I have not observed it even with animals. It is difficult to comprehend why Westerners want to impose it on us. Do it among yourselves and leave us out on that one.
What would happen to Africa and African if the western countries withdraw all their support and trade?
Would Africa survive on it's own? what about if Europe close its border to the millions plus immigrants that flee Africa every year? Without offense I believe that if the black people of Africa if would be given a choice of their own to choose between how they live today or go back to the Colonialism of the past they would run to the past.
Internal wars, diseases, genocides and famines are the result of the so called independence created only to feed the thirst of power of leader that will do anything to clinch the power, stepping over the any human right or dignity of their own people in order to leave like millionaires in the "western stile".
I'm my opinion what creates this terrible intestine wars it's Envy, seen the new leaders having all and them (the majority of people) leaving in way worst conditions than ever, the bad thing it's that those new kings or life long presidents whatever you want to call them will say it's USA or Europe fault, or it's a consequence or the Colonialism, sad thing it finish long time ago.
Dear Diego,
Please dont insult us....if you know nothing about Africa or Africans its better you keep you ignorance about us to yourself. I can assure you we can do just fine without the support that is purported to be given to us as our corrupt leaders are courted by our liberators in their quest to steel our resources.
Have you wondered why we havent been probably left alone to rot in the disease you see in Africa?
Diego,
Yes, lets stop supporting Africa and pull out of the middle east altogether and see how long we could last without the oil and other natural resources mined from African and other Middle Eastern countries.
We would be in for a rude awakening.
Diego, you should be asking what would happen to Europe if they were denied access to Africa, because over the centuries, that is where they have been stealing/plundering/robbing resources. Europe is ahead in technological development but the wealth you brag about is a result of stolen resources. Simplistic arguments, like yours, wont change the facts. The intervention in Libya and other developing countries before by USA and her alliance of thieves is a continuation of this unfortunate legacy. You may wish to note that their 'humanitarian' intervention only happens where there are forces, percieved or real, which are ranged against their strategic economic interests. In histry, Europe and the Americas had their bitter internal wars – and seems they learnt a lot from them. We should also be left to sort out our issues by ourselves, because external forces deliberately cause distortions. For example, many of our compatriots are fixated with the numbers of years a leader has been in power not realising that as long the 'Big Brothers' are always around dictating and manipulating for their own interests, it will be very difficult for our less developed countries to get out of the quagmire.
"Gadhafi, whatever his faults, is a true nationalist. I prefer nationalists to puppets of foreign interests. Where have the puppets caused the transformation of countries? I need some assistance with information on this from those who are familiar with puppetry."
I need some help with this statement and the others that bash western ideals. I am part of an organization that has raised millions of dollars to help rebuild his country from the rebel war. We empathize, work tirelessly, and take money from our own families to send to educate his children. And this is the response? This is what he really thinks of westerners? Help me understand why I should praise this article? Help me understand why I should believe in the cause?
HELP!?,
calm down.
Museveni is talking about People like Mobutu Seseseko i.e puppets. Puppets do not build hospitals, schools or roads. They allow foreign companies to exploit national wealth for next to nothing, while they get a cut. This necessitates NGOs, individuals and other philanthropic entities to fill the vacuum with charity giving. There is also a big difference between political sponsorship (refered to as 'puppetry'), and charity giving by private people or NGOs. I do not think Museveni criticized help from western people.
While I am not a fan of Mr. Museveni, I do agree with some of his observations. The hypocricy of the western governments when responding to different people with similar problems. Their motivations are suspect, but then again even western citizens agree on this.
I do have something for you to mull over though; For how long will the NGOs, philanthropic entities continue to feed, clothe, and medicate populations in undeveloped countries because dictators have absconded their duties, and have instead robbed the state? Is it possible that dictators love you for just that? They steal in part because they know 'someone' will come to fill the void? That you may be their PUPPETS?
John,
Great point, I believed this Pres. wrote a real good piece and it seems many of us in the west dont like constructive and different views apart from " talking Point" on national news headlines. Great job explaining John, HELP, could you assist me with the below questions, since John has already assisted you with yours
3. Can someone please tell me what was the purpose of the Nobel Peace Prize? Bare in mind, he was president for only few months, wasn’t the peace prize given because of situation as such in the Middle East now, did he conducted yourself as a peace prize recipient or a ………… How come our president didn’t at least attempt to broker some form of negotiation before bombing a sovereign country?
4. Is America a country now that will openly back rebels with pride?
5. Why did all the BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India, china) didn’t participate?
6.If this is strictly a humanitarian and prevention of mass murders, why not over here too http://article.wn.com/view/2011/03/28/The_Ivory_Coast_Libya_and_Rwanda_Redux/
Museveni, you are responsible for hundreds of death in Kisangani. Innocent kids, unarmed fathers and mothers during the 6 days war. you are not even ashamed on talking about crime. Look at the country next to you. Kenya. An example of what africa should be. People in Uganda still live in mud houses. What did you do? I hope the international communities can now focus on you.....
The West claim to go to war for free speech and democracy; Arabia should have been the highway to all that. Why haven't they been at Darfur – probablly the Southners cannot count as human beings
Museveni has been in power for over 23 years and is simply trying to protect his position too. He doesn't want to be seen as being against Gadafi who has single handedly supported his regime and helped him rig the recently concluded eclections. He also wants to show Gaddafi's mistakes to somehow appease the West. Museveni uses the same kind of brute force seen in Libya. On a visit to Uganda, Gaddahi once proclaimed that Ugandans should let Museveni rule Ugandans for life. Museveni was so excited about the idea. The only problem these two have is the fact that Gaddafi wanted to become the leader of the African Union and Museveni saw himself as a major contender for the same position. They started having disagreements and Museveni feared Gaddafi would blow him up in his presidential jet as was noted in wikileaks. Otherwise, Museveni has always borrowed the same evil methods used by Gaddafi to oppress Ugandans. I have seen this first hand. All these dictators just need to pass on power to the younger generation or these upheavals won't stop anytime soon.
In East Africa, He thinks and wants to be the first president if East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda) is united, the very same dream of Gadaffi to be the head of the first United States of Africa. These kind of people are sick. They don't believe in democracy, they believe that they are chosen to lead, nothing else.
To hear Museveni claim hypocrisy from the west is totally crazy. This is the guy that blamed khadafi for helping idi Amin, but then thanks him for helping them fight the rebels. Museveni is pathetic. Puppet? He is a damn puppet. How did he get in power? How is he staying in power ? This man is delusional. he has been in power for 25 years. Enough said! Reading his essay was just sad. I feel sorry for the people of Uganda. What has he done to Uganda to change them? Like lula in brazil? Nothing. This guy can't claim nothing economically for Uganda. Nothing. No non no. Lets not feed the beast. Sarkozy, Obama, Cameron, they are product of a system. A system that works for its people. We have no system in Africa. I can't stand this fool.
Most African heads of state are ego driven bafoons. They just assume that the masses want to be governed by them for life. This is narcissism at it's highest. There should be mass demonstrations all over the African continent and when the so called leaders are toppled they should have public trials. These dictators even look stupid.
Thx for publishing M7s article. Get the truth: He has stayed in power for over 25 years by simply exterminating any one who criticizes his regime, and this is public knowledge in Uganda. He has made sure there is no gov't institution that functions independent of him. He is an enlightened con-man in an evil way. He knows how to intimidate and manipulate the few newspapers in Uganda to his advantage, lest he closes them down, and he often does if they write something he is not happy about.
Truth is, Gadaffi was his closest friend, and criticizing him in this article is a fake facade; this article is written with anger in defence of Gadaffi, in defence of his own school of thought. M7 has k'illed tens of thousands of Ugandans, only that he knows how to disguise the crime and label them as rebels. Ask any Ugandan tou know. He has lots of safe houses where he tortures the opposition members or anyone who speaks up against the criminal things he is doing. Most times he makes sure the opposition members disappear forever without a trace. What saddens me most, is that he still uses the Church pulpits to prove he is a righteous man of God. Unbeknown to them, he usually pays millions of dollars to famous TV preachers from US to fly to Uganda to preach, praise him and lobby for him (Google the obscene $$ amounts he pays them; it is very scarely). The best thing out of this artcle, is that his mindset has now been exposed for all to digest his mindset and true identity. He is morally bankrupt and dangerous, and History is not on his side. Stop feeding this beast.
I just have one comment..............with 16 parts
President Yoweri Museveni reasoning is astoundingly naive for someone who is the leader of a nation. If this is the caliber of the people in power, African countries will continue to lag politically and economically behind the rest of the world. But the number of factual errors, over interpretation and twisted logic seems very appropriate for someone who has to justify to himself his own position and prepare his political scapegoats for the future. I would think that many Ugandans might start to think quite hard why it's necessary for ANYONE to remain in power for 25 yrs and more.
And as for his distorted views on "neo-colonialism", I'll argue that he has it categorically wrong. Political entities in the West do exhibit altruistic intentions and offer many African countries assistance in legitimate "nation building" and their struggle to improve the lives of ordinary people. In contrast, corporations and authoritarian regimes have very different goals: profits and exploitation. Consequently, reliance on such outside investors and "friends", invariably leads down the path to graft, corruption, oppression and ultimately violence. Gaddafi is no-one that needs to be idolized for reasons to numerous to be listed here. And the Libyan people, as well as many in other Arab countries and the West, are more than happy to show him the Exit Door. In a 21st century world, dominated by a free flow of information and modern transportation, we are all intimately connected. So it is every person's right to take up an interest and act in our common human goals globally. Consequently, despots, dictators, strong men, juntas, theocracies and authoritarian regimes will find their concept of sovereignty challenged not just internally and by outside groups too. In short we've had enough of ALL of you and want you gone !
Hey Museveni
Go F Yourself, your country is the most backwards, homophobic savage place on earth. You and your shytty country personify every racist stereotype and twisted cliche there is about Africa, you prove the point that Africans are savages. When you develop the civility to join the modern world maybe someone will listen to your opinions, until then, learn to eveolve.
Does anyone else find this rant ironic?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoweri_Museveni
I agree with many of his points, but this guy is a piece of garbage.
Dear President: I am perplexed by your decision to come out in public and use CNN to lecture the world about a man (your topic says that) who for three weeks in a row now is out there massacring his own people. While you gave the benefit of the doubt to your good old friend Gadhafi, and you have all the right to do so, your characterization of the demonstrators is WRONG. You ask if the peaceful demonstrators are legitimate. What proof of evidence you need other than that they are paying the ultimate price for the purpose they stand for. Let me ask you this in turn: Who are you in the first place to ask that question. Is the US, NATO, France and Great Britain are asking that question? NO. The Libyan people aspirations can’t be squashed by a tyrant whose only goal is to stay in power and to add more suffering to his own people no matter what. The Libyans and the international community are determined the tyrant faces the ultimate defeat.
Apparently, MR. President, you are clever enough to see above the horizon and see the fire is heading south. Is it making you a little nervous? I hope you are the legitimate leader of Uganda. If you are not, your days are also counted. Time is up for leaders who have chocked the people of Africa from the God giving right of leaving in harmony and peace. I hope you are NOT among them!
Sir Mr gebre, i do understand your stand and need for peace to return to our brethren in Libya but what you have to know is by the NATO, US,France and all those countries attacking Libya in disguise of protecting civilians is a sham, if you are a keen follower of what is happening around the world then you would see the double standards of these countries and know that they are only trying to implement there policies in the strategic areas that will benefit them! if at all they had Libyans at heart why did they not send in UN peace keepers first?how many people have so far died in the coalition bombings?or how much infrastructure has been destroyed in the air strikes? or is it because Gadhffi was not a puppet and now they have got a reason to root him out? you have your right to criticize the president but don't be so on the blind side! thank you.
You are the root and cause of suffering in your country ............its like the pot calling the kettle black...pardon the pun
Mr Fisher, i don't know which country you hail form but if you are not Ugandan you should probably first research before your accusations to our dear president and what the president is saying is right because if you look at all examples given, you will find that its the bare truth and double standards of the western world that cause most of the problems where they see fit for there hidden agendas, where were these people when Kony was killing every living thing in the north? what did they do, issuing an ICC arrest warrant? better still who pushed the Rwandan genocide of 1994? when President Kagame named the countries that we all know had a hand in arming the killers he was threatened with sanctions, for all i know all the super powers want is continued neocolonialism a thing we need to get rid of forever in our beloved Africa.
This is a forum for opinions not an insult corner,my opinion is just as valuable as anyone else..............thats called free speech.
This is a forum for opinions not your private corner,my opinion is just as valuable as anyone else..............I expected a rude comment on my opinion from an African ,like yourself, thats the way you people behave.Small wonder that Africa has seventy percent of the worlds natural resources and one hundred percent of the worlds poverty.The root cause of this is the African brain(it doesnt function very well) , therefore, you as an African delivered just what I expected.....negativity,,,,,,,,heres to your monkey face ,you baboon,,,,,,,, Yuck....Flush,Flush
Thie is the reasoning behind the next crop of the so called African Nationalists to go.They always feel betrayed by people who resist their so called 'Pan-Africanism' and try to offer alternative thinking.
Mr.President,your country needs RIGHT-THINKING Leader not your 'written-to-suit-thyself' sentiments.
Look at your neighbour Kenya and see where they are,Silly.
It is pathetic that these oil mongers are invading Libya in the name of humanitarian reasons. There are problems in Ivory Coast, a stalement that still has people dying day in day out. theare problems in Bahrain, syria, Jordan and other places with a lot of people dying. there is Mugabe in Zimbabwe, Paul Biya in Cameroon and a lot of other dictators who are silently massacreing their people, and the west is not voicing a word. What is so special about Libya that you guys could not see in the Sudan? Oil ofcourse! we know that. May God dame USA and its allies
If west have any moral values, they would'have save millions Ruwandese masacred in a week or 20 year civil war in Somalia. it those countries are not wothy fot your interference becouse they are black how about Bhrain,Syria,Yemen and Jordan
Western can in declining moral stage.
For dictators like Qadafi, Musaveni, Melaz,Mugabu, Middle easter evel royal families pupets and idiots,your time is up when masters look control, the whole ship will sink and that will benifit poor people like me
regarding issue number 9. if it werent for France i dont believe United states would have ever existed. So he is crazy when he says the rebels shoudl do it by themselves.
Each western country is acting for it;s country,s interest. Again counrty interest not their personal interest. They were elected democraticaly. Museveni is an big hypocrite. The good thing about this article is that he can read about we all think about him. A rat who killed innocent Congolese for gold and diamond.
steve40, for the sake of being objective, why dont you talk about the Big Rats, (Belgians and their cousins in the West) who have plundered the Congo of resources since the times of the 'scramble for Africa'?
The problem here is that this letter and other arguments are written to an american public that has absolutely NO moral authority or obligation. As an African American I can tell you that we are mostly educated by television clips, soundbites, and talk radio. You're talking to a country of people who threw quality out of the window, which killed american steel, american auto, and american manufacturing, in favor of cheap, dangerous, chinese products. everyone of these people commenting fail to understand that they are killing america with every cheap japanese car, every cheap Walmart product. now, we owe trillions to the chinese just so we can eat. being educated is now uppity and elitist here, we have strong, brave, americans who we are afraid to tell that there are NO MORE BLUE COLLAR JOBS IN THE WORLD. whatever you do, don't listen to the united states or the west. our presidents go to saudi arabia and beg them to produce more oil, we asked india and south korea to fake business with us to give us some work to feed our children. we just did the same thing in brazil. we can't beat iraq or afghanistan, why do we keep pretending to go and bomb people? the first plane actually crashed and fell and our troops were saved by libyans. let these guys solve their problems and we solve ours. i respect the president of uganda and kadafi. we need to force our citizens to go get technical, scientific, and mathematical education and learn languages because allowing choice is making our people fat and lazy and nearly crippled in their 30s. we're not winning guys. we're in no position to intervene or judge. we have officer involved killings everyday here to restore safety and order. if some fools want to take over the country of libya, let them take the shots. BO would bust our ass too. any president would. Peace. Thanks for your letter.
Factual error in the article: Khadafy came to power in 1969, not 1971. Other than that, there are many good points raised.
Yipes! My mistake. He was talking about Idi Amin. Well, everything Musuveni said was right,then.
Fella seems fairly pro China.. knows a lot of their leaders names by heart.... Chinese puppet? Seems fairly well read.
After reading this, I believe that Uganda would be better off with ABDULLAH THE BUTCHER as their leader. If I was a teacher, and president museveni turned this in as an assignemnt, I would demand to know which one of his parents wrote it for him.
What a heart warming title. It sounds like a jr. high essay. one savage dicatator standing up for another.
BTW, this is the same "enlightened" leader who not only wants to criminalize homosexuality, but to execute homosexuals.
Well it is not only him any sane person will not Tolerate this Gayness at all as this unnatural and against the very wishes of God.
Keep doing it and people shall see what happened to the people of Lot will happen again if this deviation is tolerated to spread. Please have Mercy on yourself selves and Stop this Gayness.
@ Azwar
God created Gay people.
You just insulted God.
it is soooo sad to see some of the ignorant idiotic comments made by some of the westerners here.........I don't agree on all of the issues this guy said, but he definitely has very interesting facts and points that he makes..am not saying he's a saint, but just for the future when one of us (westerners) reads something like this, don't just try to point out things that we don't agree on and with a blind eye ignore the rest and be critical of everything that's said, instead read it with an open mind, take it with a grain of salt, and learn from beneficial facts and point that are made....if we don't agree with him on certain things, that doesn't mean that some of the points he makes aren't rationaly and logically right......it is always about the $$....about 85% of lybia's oil is exported to europe and France who were hit hard by this...thats y they wanted to act so fast..and of course the u.s follows...why not if they can get a piece of the pie....the Man is simply try to say that the west does no sh*t for free....every intervention or every thing they do the, the "helped" country is going to have to pay later on which in the long run will be bad for the country...just look at the recent "help" and "back up" the U.S. gave to South Korea,...somehow magically and with "willingness" right after they signed a treaty with the U.S. that opens South Korea's markets to imported U.S. cars.....well...I guess in this case the u.s. was just also trying to help...
Sorry, but there is almost nothing in his article that is factually accurate. It's a really lame attempt at obfuscation to try and legitimize his own position of power.
with all do respect....am not sure what article you are reading...but this article does have MANY facts....Qadafi's nationalization of oil, raising of oil prices...improvment of the country's condition in comparison to the ones who preceded him...the west's double standard forign policies....the somalia case.....suez canal.....and I could go on and on, but again I would be just repeating what's said in the article.....
he is very afraid. that's why he asked his people to write this for him
@widsomania.. Libya is very big country with low population, rich in Oil. Without Gaddafi Libya would be like European standard, Tunisia, Egypt, etc. Museveni saying that Libya developed by Gaddafi is untrue, not fact at all, yet you think this is fact, how?.... How do you measure these as facts or not. Another error is, Gaddaffi raise the price of Oil? How,... does Gaddafi knows economics, why he raised the oil for $20 bucks a barrel, why not $25, why not $15.. not facts my friends, is all bullishit
lol this guy has been president for 25 years? oh yeah, that's democracy.
All this from a "kill the gays" Ugandan? They differ only by those they hate.
well i will not go that far and say Kill the Gays, but i will support like all the sane people are doing we can not allow this gayness to spread, it is unnatural and against the very teachings God. Please stop this Gayness do not kill but atleast let them know that they are not liked.
So if they do not believe in gays they are wrong – dude u must be crazy, as a leader he wishes not to have gays and thats his stand on it, why do u want gays??? huh
Lee, you need to be informed that it is actually President Museveni who is responsible for delaying passing of the Gay Bill in parliament.
democracy begins in childhood and with children. their attitude to children make all african rulers despot.
europe did not want tens of thousands of refugees flooding into tunisia, egypt, and italy. unfortunately, this type of crises is not isolated–they way Gadahfi conducted his war engendered refugees, making his problem a regional one. It is because he made libya into a regional problem that europe and the US felt compelled to intervene since europe is part of that region (and for the US, it's about supporting allies who we have asked to support us time and again).
With deference to the President's other points, Hitler built good roads, developed tremendous infrastructure for his country and was an outspoken world leader as well. Should he have been left in power if he didn't invade other countries and just repressed the Jews in Germany?
Hitler also was responsible for the trains to run on time. I doubt if any Western country would have enforced a "no-fly zone" over Germany, because they were abusing the Jewish people. Those who don't learn from history are condemmed to repeat it. Never again. Not on our President's watch.
Its true, everyone has right to his own opinions and so does Mr Musaveni. Gadhafi cannot respect anyone one in Africa, not even tha AU. I feel there is a big problem with our leaders, why should one man want to rule a country for life? The truth is, they commit atrocities and they want to cover up it for as long as possible. Mr Musaveni should not compare uganda revolution to that of Libya, the Col. will have no pity for anybody. If not for the intervention thousands would have died by now and no one will bring justice -they will cover it up.
It is interesting to read a piece that sees things from a totally different prism from myself and many Westerners. But ultimately I think this prism is overly simplistic, particularly on any matter to do with the West. In Museveni's mind, everything done by the West is designed to screw Africa. They put Amin in power because they thought he was stupid. They denied Nasser the money for Aswan because they didn't want Egyptians to have power. They exploited the Middle East by not paying enough for oil. His anecdotal observations on Libya's economy are amusing, but ultimately I think I'll rely on actual data, which I would have hoped the leader of a country of 30 million people would too. He attributes success to the most unlikely characters: equating China's current rise to Mao Tse Tung is about as logical to me as thanking Hitler for the strength of the modern German economy, only less because the German economy was strong under Hitler while Mao left China's in shambles, and Hitler killed less people than Mao. All of Museveni's statements like this are so oversimplified as to be stupid, but never mind.
What really annoys me about this piece is that he ignores the real reasons Gadhafi's getting bombed by the West and the Bahrain isn't. He didn't just not "act like a puppet", he was an active enemy to the West. He murdered our citizens in cold blood. Maybe Gadhafi isn't suppressing his people any worse than other rulers in his desperate continent, and maybe killing dozens of innocent Americans, Scots Germans and so on seems like just a drop in the bucket there, but he made it personal with the West, and in my view he's had this coming for a long time.
Museveni seems like he's doing his best to turn his country around. He's hardly free of criticisms, but I accept that in a place in the middle of somewhere as screwed up as Africa, he's about as good as could be expected. But his writing here makes it clear what an uphill battle Africa faces. Its leaders are still embittered about the past, glorifying strong men and those that thumb their nose at the West. He still sees the West as enemies and probably always will, ignoring the fact that the alternative development partners for Africa (China and India) are there only to secure resources, and have no interest in pushing forward liberal democratic ideals as the West does. America and Britain don't do business with Sudan because they continue to murder countless "black Africans" as Museveni says. China and India do, more eager to extract oil than promote decency.
Thanks president Museveni! Atlist you are not a puppet or you are now learning not to be a puppet. Get our boys out of Somalia and get our boys out of Iraq.If Americans,french and british want to be the world police let Uganda not be the African Police.
For God and My Country!!!
Grt article. I am truely impressed by the African leader and courage. With respect to Mao of China, Mao did his contribution although he made some mistakes (Chinese gives him 70% good and 30% bad), which is why he is still "worshipped" there in China. Who do we judge? Do Germany still worship Hitler? Will you still worship your leaders if they kill millions of you?
Dont believe all the propanda u heard in the west. I recently visited Russia again (3times this year). Did u know that he was voted one of the most loved leaders of all times after 3 years of survey recently? Not even Peter the grt is among the list. Gorbachve is bottom of the pack. Why? Shallnt be the inside people to judge or redneck people of outside to judge?
Mao didn't "make some mistakes", he instituted a ridiculously stupid policy he called The Great Leap Forward that led to the deaths of 30 to 45 million people through starvation and violence. He is still revered in China (officially) because, unlike Hitler, Mao didn't lose his war on his own people and have the truth taught to future generations by the victors. Chinese education on this subject is an exercise in dogma and propaganda, so yes, I trust those outside of China to provide a more accurate story.
I assume you're talking about Stalin when you rabbit on about Russia. There are few people in the 20th century that caused as much human suffering as that man. I don't know if you're accurate that Russians rank him as a great leader, but if they do they have tragically short memories and a brutally twisted idea of how governments should operate.
Please, look into some history books before you go writing off the awful deeds of these tyrants as Western propaganda.
Very good writer. eloquent wording, and possibly some opinions worth reviewing. But bottom line, anyone in power for decades means no opposition, no true equality of the people, and... You know what, lets skip the bull. These guys want to keep their power/ego, molest the resources for their own pleasure. They like their wealth. Anything else, especially the common person, well good luck schmo! I wish guys like him found hobbies like golf. Take your already too much money then you need to enjoy life, and move on. Let newer minds seek the future. And for goodness sake, if you haven't developed a decent standard of living in over 2 decades.. Write a letter to yourself.
While M7 (as he is referred to in Uganda) has some interesting points to make, the sad reality is that he and Gaddafi are cut from the same cloth. Uganda has accepted financial help from Libya, allowed Gaddafi to build a mosque and generally deferred to him or at least to his money. There is even a street named for him in the Mengo district of Kampala. The street is full of pot holes , much like Gadaffis and Musevinis legacy. It was hoped that Musevini would be the one to break the mold of the despotic "winner take all" African strongman. Sadly, When the time came for term limits to make way for a new leader and new faces in government his true character was revealed and it was shown to be less of George Washington or Nelson Mandela and more of Mugabe or Mobutu. Two peas in a pod these chaps..
The president of Uganda has exceptional grammatical skills and an amazing grasp of world history - he makes his country look highly educated and intelligent. I am quite impressed!
Are you being sarcastic? I'm sorry I can't tell. To me, this article was almost TLDR. He is about as far from concise as you can get. He says a lot without saying very much at all. And he's the ruler of 30 million people, do you not think this was probably grammar checked by some underlings? Oh, and he likely received all of his education in English, and English is the official language of his country, of which he has been one of the elite most, if not all, of his life. His "exceptional grammar skills" don't look much beyond the abilities of an American 12th grader (at least a college bound one).
As for his grasp of history, as many have pointed out above, this is suspect at best. He has perhaps a good understanding of inter-African politics, but his views on OPEC, the Middle East, China, Korea, the West and so on are not, they are either outdated or too simplistic. In my view, he picks the parts of history he thinks supports his position and warps them to make them fit better. South Korea is lauded as a strong independent state, for example, though I'm sure it would be an American puppet if it served his version of history better. Mao brought China out of the dark ages. The Suez crisis was a simple black and white exercise of Egypt taking back what was theirs. All revolutions brought about by outside forces fail. All revolutions that rise from within succeed.
Anyway, in short, if you're not just trolling for responses, I strongly disagree. This article does not demonstrate extraordinary writing skills or historical understanding, particularly not for a supposed world leader.
"It is high time we did more careful thinking." Museveni says at the end of this article.
Careful thinking? Really...careful thinking?
"In response to these latest attempts to ram through the "Kill the Gays" bill, Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has publicly signaled that he wants the measure shelved. Appearing on Ugandan television last week, Information Minister Masiko Kabakumba announced that the Museveni administration has determined that the Anti-Homosexuality Bill is redundant, citing existing national laws that already make being gay a crime punishable by life imprisonment."
Why do Uganda and certain other countries even belong to the U.N. again, when they refuse to acknowledge their blatant disregard for human rights? Or worse, acknowledge it but dismiss it as not being wrong in any way.
This man believes being gay should be a crime, punishable by at least life imprisonment. Why are any other world leaders putting any faith in anything he has to say about a man who could virtually be his mirror image?
Dear QS,
I am a Ugandan and i support gay rights.Get yo facts right about the homosexaulity bill.Don't blame it on Museveni but blame it on the american evangelists who funded it and fueled it up. And if you have ever been in Uganda,then you should know better.We Ugandans blame Museveni for other problems in our country but not for homosexaulity bill as it came through the so called mom teresa.
Dear World:
1. Conspiracy theories – we love them. We are passionate about them. We believe them, no matter how outlandish. Conspiracy theories resonate with us, just like magic, and prevent us from making sense of the world. Here's the thing – the majority of conspiracy theories are false (are you listening 3rd world?). Try this – scepticism. Believe nothing at first, and remember: reality is stranger than fiction. Don't get emotionally attached to curious stories from strangers or government propaganda or your 14 year old cousin.
2. The blame game. Oh how we love to blame others. It makes us feel justified. Shift blame as a solution for any problem. Blame the West, blame the East, North and South. Blame him, blame her. Its always somebody else's fault. Never ours. The CIA was responsible. The Americans are behind everything. The Russians. Burn their flag to make yourself feel better. Scream and gesticulate at the smouldering symbol of your perceived foe. Try this – start by looking inward: blame yourself or your own personal dictator or fanatical religious leader. Only then look outward.
3. Critical Faculty. We all know everything. Take a distorted and incorrect view of history way out of context. Draw any conclusion. Make faulty assumptions. Harbour biases. We can't deny it – our critical faculty is sadly lacking. Try this: Think openly, question everything. Learn history first, recite later. That way no need to blame – the facts will speak for themselves.
Interesting article, I have joined the US Peace Corps and will be assigned to Uganda this August. This viewpoint helps boost my confidence of integrating into their society, and I look forward to learning about their culture.
Considering that Uganda is one of many countries that evangelicals have been going to for years, spreading their hate of gay people via their religious beliefs, I don't think it will seem all that different than certain places in the U.S. really; and if you happen to fall on the side of the conservative ideology, you should find it relatively easy to integrate.
Museveni as spewed his nonsense as usual. Museveni you are not in a position to judge Ghadafi, however crazy he may be. CNN please do not honor this dictator with a platform to blame the west for problems that are perpetuated by him. I certainly hope Museveni would be the next one to go.
Why Yoweri Museveni omitted to speak about Laurent Gbabgbo in his long noisy analysis,
or because Watara is a Moslum?
The president of Uganda sounds like Ron Paul, from Texas. I agree with most of his opinions too. While slavery has been a sourge of mankind since the dawn of time, I disgaree with the presdient, with respect, that slavery was a Western idea. Western countries did exploit slaves for the colonies, and African tribes traded in slaves, from wars, and sold those slaves from coastal cities. It took courage, of those opposed to slavery, including many white men and women, to end the legal trade in slaves. Of course, slavery continues to exist world-wide, illegally in most counties.
Let's get back to basics. We are all pretty much screwed Mr President if the consciousness of mankind does not change drastically in a better manner for our world and all it's inhabitants...I find it Irony that nature creates just about everything in a circular motion or pattern but mankind only create square/rectangle...It would seem we have a problem connecting with our true nature. How then do any of us possess the knowledge to run the world.
Musevene is a dictator having sleepless nights because he is going to be next. being in power for over 25yrs.
@Yoweri Museveni
Dude, you're next.
25 years a "President"? How can you still call yourself 'president'? How many people have you jailed to maintain power? How many have you killed? A better question might be, how many have Gadhafi killed for you? An how stable would your leadership be without Gadhafi's henchmen?
Yes, the future is scary, begin the transition to real democracy now. You might actually be remembered well if you do. maybe.
I think to quote from the Holy Bible, 'We have all transgressed and fallen short of the glory of The Lord'. How many innocent souls have America, France, Britain, etc killed in order to be where they are? How many blacks perished in the slave trade by the so called current champions od democracy? And these fellows have not made any apologies or reparations for these ills??
I think we all have a stake in the future of this world, not only a few self-proclaimed 'champions of democracy & human rights'. A fresh start is needed – and all must be heard!
Stop living in the past KAKAj.. you must move on and make your live better. we do not need an apology from westerner. Did china wait for an apology from Japan. No. can yoy japan go to china and meddle in their business? no. We live in a jungle.. Work hard and make yourself better. What has museveni done to better the life of Ugandans? His is the head of his special forces that protects him? is brother is a mercenary. Dont be ignorant, my friend. we need to stand to those weak minded leaders like museveni. He will leave no history after him. None. 25 years? come on, you should hate that kindof behaviors. how many american presidents has museveni dealt with? Reagan, Bush I, Clinton, Bush II, Now Obama. thats 5 prez. and How much has america grown since those 5 presidents? A lot. Uganda? you tell me the answer. Museveni has a complex, low selfesteem. I feel sorry for the people of uganda, But I love them. and Make sure he doesnt die as a president. you will suffer for a long time just like R D Congo, Ivory coast etc...
On events in Libya,the West is only intervening because they want oil not to save civilians.Just like they did in Iraq.Being zimbabwean i now doubt the sincerity of the West.When Rhodesians killed us in thousands in the full glare of the Western media,the West never bothered with 'no fly zones'.Why? Because we do not matter to them but only our gold,diamonds etc matter to them.When black South Africans were killed in the streets of Sharpeville, The West did not intervene because black people were the ones dying.The West now sees it fit to talk about 'human rights' 'democracy' in Zimbabwe just because Mugabe has decided to correct colonial inbalances.Africa will continue to have squabbles as long as the West do not respect African lives and value only white people.
Mr Museveni,
I fully agree with your brilliant analysis of the Libyan situation. I wish the western power leaders would be honest with themselves, and tell the world their REAL objective of their military intervention in Libya..
In addition, I have this to add this: in my own analysis, and in agreement with your observation about the apparent 'The mighty have the way' doctrine of the western powers,
1. It increasingly clear that the western countries are slowly but syrely losing control and influence on/in Middle East
2. As some extremist elements take over political & military power in these Middle east countries, Israel appears certainly isolated. My fear is, Israel being a nuclear power, might resort to use of nuclear arms in order to preserve itself, as some of these extremist elements have vowed to wipe it off the face of the globe. And as other countries join the fray, a nuclear war may break out sooner than later.
3. The voices of the AU should not be ignored, because in future, AU may again be required by the AU to recognise the 'new' government in Libya
4. There should be balanced and objective reporting on the matter by especially the western press: why is the killing of 'civilians' in Libya ONLY attributed to Gadaffi's army? Are the bullets and bombs of the Libyan nsurgents and the coalition forces so technologically advanced that they can see and therefore avoid civilians?? Let no one be fooled, all the protagonists in this war are KILLING civilians! The difference may only be in numbers.
5. Propped up governments do not serve the interests of the citizens of those countries, but of their masters. And it is clear, the insurgents in Libya expect someone out there to fight the war for them and not themselves – I was amazed to hear one insurgent fighter cry out as they were being attacked that, ' where is Sarchozy? Where is Obama? Have they slept?'
6. I am concerned about the open access policy to arms in Libya. has any one posed to think what is going to happen in the future with everyone having arms? Where is the guarantee that these arms won't be misused? Where is the guarantee that very wrong elements are not seizing the opportunity to arm themselves? I hope you all saw and are seeing what is happening in Yemen! Unknown elements driving away military tanks and artillery pieces from an ammunition depot!
7. Finally, I can say that, when the dust finally settles down, and the wars in Middle East are over, America and the western countries will still remain ENEMY NUMBER ONE of the extremist governments in the Middle East!!
There are many good points raised by the president of Uganda. Indeed, when it comes to fighting puppetry, he knows better because he has just done that. Puppetry though can be internal too. It is the internal puppetry of tribal loyalty that leads to the imbalances of power and as the saying goes, even leads to the economic imbalances perpetrated by favoring certain tribes before others. Maintaining the status quo has been done by force though elections are held at certain times. It is indeed this imbalances that ferments discontent in the populace that Mr Museveni fought. Against Idi Amin and against Obote! Sad to say and witness, a great man of this stature could end up repeating the same mistakes that we have gone through in Africa. Look, we pile all our problems on colonialists. In one way it is true that some of the problems do emanate from colonialism. But as Mr President you once put it and shocked the world, some of the problems are home grown and you have attacked them head on. Credibility in this begins at home and it is really important that we look at the way governance is practiced in Africa. May we should do these things:
1. Move from the petty politics of favoring one tribe against the other! Give all those who inhabit a territory the same opportunities. With this, you remove marginalization and distrust among the populace.
2.See to it that the main needs of the population are met. This means a good infrastructure in form of roads, good administration with all positions open to all, schools open to all etc. Do it on the platform of "it benefits all and not only my tribe"
3.Decide on how long a president should stay in power. Two mandate periods should be the limit. I see advantages in this. Democracy is not going to be based on one person but revolve on the thought that no person carries the truth for ever, but that truth evolves and while we are progressive and have great ideas to move the nation, there are others who can take on the task given the fact that they take the notion of national interest at heart. Besides, giving up a position shows how generous we are, believing that among us there are other gentlemen and women able bodied and with intelligence to carry on the mantle.
4. It is not negative to work with all countries of the world on the basis of partnership. Though Mr Museveni is right on this, the west has always had a wrong notion of going to help when there are interests involved. And this is not naive as nations pursue foreign policies on the basis of interest. But, in our case, Uganda, we should be open to this even when we are well aware of our history where our territory has been a platform for the struggle of different political interests from abroad. This we should always talk about candidly.
5. When fighting a dictator, Mr Museveni knows it well that you can have a good organization and some arms. But without big backers, you do not get any where. And when you do, the battle gets protracted. Uganda did it. We got the help of our brothers from Tanzania, otherwise we could not have been able to dislodge Idi Amin. The same applies to the people of Libya who have had 40 years of monopolized polity, a monopoly of ideas! They need help. They do not have surface to air missiles, they do not have helicopters, they lack organization. Of-course the help of Mr Museveni and his wisdom in this would be beneficial because I know, we indirectly fought this man when he did send soldiers to help the regime of Idi withstand.
6. Uganda changed with Mr Museveni. With Mr Museveni as president Uganda has enjoyed huge though sometimes varied proportions of freedom and economic growth. This is great and we should build on it to always do better as the South Koreans did. That means being true to one´s values and being dedicated to the values of democracy for all!
It was very interesting reading President Museveni castigating foreign intervention in a sovereign state. When he captured state power in 1986, among the very first words he spoke in an OAU summit was to castigate the then continental body for failure to intervene in Uganda, when Idd Amin was massacring Ugandans.
Indeed Museveni himself was very happy to take cover under the Tanzanian invasion of Uganda in 1979, an invasion that finally toppled dictator Idd Amin. Museveni also sought and received weapons from Kaddafi which he used to topple the military junta in Uganda in 1986. Then he saw foreign military assistance to oust a dictatorship as being good and necessary, but not now in Libya!
As one writer here has correctly put it, the truth is that this is an article of a dictator who is afraid he could be next in line. In five years time, he would have ruled Uganda for three decades, through elections that the international community has repeatedly found not be free and fair. Just like Kaddafi, Museveni’s son Maj. Muhozo Kaineruganba is the head of the elite Special Forces that keep Museveni in power. Maj. Muhozi Kaineruganba was himself directly promoted to the rank of Major by Col. Kaddafi on a state visit here, who then also told Museveni never to quit power, saying that “Revolutionaries never tire or retire”!
The West should not be fooled by this type of propaganda from by African dictators who now are simply too afraid of the Libyan precedence.
Fred Kitimbo,
Kampala, Uganda.
Thank you President Museveni for this insight. I fully agree with the double standards of certain western countries, and their meddling in the affairs of african countries.
All points of double standards are now useless. right something that I can read and understand, dont find excuses of double standards
Like the saying goes.... You are damned if you do. You are damned if you don't. It's a double edge sword when people speculate whether its right or wrong to meddle in other countries (not just African ones) business. If the UN doesn't help they get criticize for letting an atrocity happen while people yell "it's not your fight don't meddle in a countries business" if they do. I see lives being saved, but Mr. Howdy Doo they are their for oil and personal interest etc etc... Of course UN countries have interest to protect Libya, it is an oil producing country that supplies UN countries so their countries can look out for their individual nations. It's all speculation to say their priority is oil first. Africa is renowned to have government leaders benefit themselves and not benefit the nation and their people if you need examples just go through an African History book and read it. If you are bringing a county together then how can one side of the country belong under one leadership (Khadafi) and another be for a opposition leader (Mahmoud Jibril)? Seems like to me somebody wants to hold power and by any means necessary with an actual military against poorly equipped opposition. And of course Khadafi's weapons/technology and tactics are way better than US weapons and tactics for minimizing civilian casualties (thats sarcasm).
Yeah, America is really concerned with oppressed people. Except when they live in Israel, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Yemen, Syria, etc. etc. Invading Libya is something we've done before (don't forget the Marine song's '..to the shores of Tripoli...') and painting any militarism in the hues of "democracy" and "freedom" and all that other preposterous nonsense we don't believe is just SOP, any excuse to keep the taxpayer dough flowing into the Pentagon's black budgets and Swiss bank accounts. The bottom line is Musveni is essentially spot on; the West still thinks of Africa as its retarded, red-headed stepchild that you really can't abuse enough and anything we do "for" it should be applauded and hosannahed. Forgive me while I puke.
This article was a surreal and the comments are even more so. I will not say that everything Museveni said was incorrect, everyone is right about some things. My agreement with him pretty much ends at anything other than the western world is hypocritical at times. Pretty much everything else he said was complete biased garbage of someone who is fearful of suffering a similar fate to Ghadafi, Mubarak, et al. Any person that looks to Stalin and Mao as good for their nations is a complete nut job.
The simple fact is Ghadafi is crazy and should have stepped down like Mubarak. Museveni has shown himself to be extremely misguided and most likely needs to step down as well, but I'm sure he won't. This article was nothing more than a propaganda piece designed to prevent uprisings and western involvement in Museveni's country.
What is most remarkable about this text is that at no point does it ever occur to the Ugandan author that MQ might not in fact be sincere - in any of his actions or utterances. Sometimes, when we know someone personally, especially over long periods of time, we cannot help but project our own better qualities onto them, and impute to them our own motivations. All that MQ's actions have ever exhibited, to someone looking on from the outside, is extreme selfishness yoked to opportunism and an ambition equal to Napoleon's (although less intelligent). I would caution the Ugandan President not to fall into the trap of imagining that providing MQ with a safe place to retreat (for example, to Uganda) might not cause a host of new problems to follow with MQ, into Uganda - except that, frankly, I can see no reason to warn or counsel anyone who seeks to assist, in any way, a man who has looked calmly upon the rape, torture and dismemberment of young girls, women and children (not to mention captive old men), as if these were ever acceptable. Go ahead, offer him a refuge - and earn all that follows therefrom.
The man is simply warning the West be very careful about Libya.You cannot drop Democracy from several kilometers from the sky through bombs.I have a feeling Libya would be the next Afghanistan and America would waste money and men there.
BRAVO, Museveni!
HMuseveni himself is a hypocrite . He is talking about respecting other countries sovereinty by not interfering in others internal affairs while he himself does not . in 1996 his country invaded congo (ex zaire ) and rooted congo of its minerals . in 1990 his army participated and backed the rebels that invaded rwanda . It is good for Museveni to preach what he does and stop judging others .
The real issue here is the promotion of a propagated idea of governing called "Democracy". The west believes without a doubt that democracy comes from heaven, and anything not democracy is a "sin" and therefore, sinners need to repent and turn to true gospel of democracy. Like crusaders they will use force and conquer in that spirit. 'By that sign i conquer," i believe still echoes in many western politicians. Can you imagine going to school and all you study is the best of democracy ideals and the worst of other forms. Disgusting. Well, for the last fifty years democracy has caused more wars and death than other forms of governing. Hitler was a good child of democracy though many try to disown him. Recently Hamas has joined the ranks. The point here is democracy is not freedom. We should not impose our thinking unto others. I believe Socrates would be embarrassed by how tyrannies within the democratic movement have stunted the growth of freedom in many other parts of the world.
I am starting to question the legitimacy of ideal of "democracy". I am a Christian and throughout the bible i see no democracy. I see leadership and authority. Jesus was not elected yet we all accept Him. I have heard of no such a thing as elections in Heaven to vote on the next God or angels. If there is, i would like to know. Maybe, democracy is from hell. Think about it. It is where demons/fallen angels scramble, compete and fight for recognition, power and dominance. They fight against each other. Is it that what we do here on earth? It is utter confusion. However, on the opposite side is harmony, i have never heard of 'love' fighting against 'patience'. 'Oh, i am so hurt because of your patience." Imagine that!! Imagine more, that the west is doing it's best to promote this confusion worldwide. Welcome to hell on earth, maybe without real fire.
Just look at the Capital City of Uganda and tell me just what the hell does their President see when he drive his dumb ass through the city??? Its stupid to say the rubbish about the USA but when President Bush visited a few years ago or Clinton you Museveni was kissing their ass!!!! You closed the whole dam country down etc...so if you want to talk rubbish first clean up your own mess of a country and finally, do not show the world your double standards by kissing the ass of the one who behind the scene you make deals with!
Yeah! we have double standards and we should do you idiots think African do not have double and triple standards-at least in USA we take care of our own in spite of all pros/cons but leaders in most of Africa have been there for life and still nothing is done for the People!
President Museveni is right about this Liyan thing. The destruction of Libya must stop. Liyans should work out a way to come out of this. The West should stop arrogating themselves the role of chosing leaders for Africa.
Just 2 years back Israel massacred thousands of Palestians and Leabanese by air raids. flattening half of Gaza and Beruit. All we got from the West was that they were ready to veto any resolution intended to halt the crimes. I am sceptical of their motives in Lybia.
Well said Mr.President.
Dialogue was the only way out of the Libya crisis.
I believe that Gadaffi is a very intelligent man, he is doing this purposely to divert the attention of the french british and the americans into Libya while his allies are busy plotting war on Israel and other nations and all. I certainly don't feel that he is stupid to have his own nation destroyed off.
You are calling a Brutal Dictator a Nationalist...nationalism is looking after your people and not shooting them to preserve the undemocratic status qua of this dictator..the outcome of all this i hope no Bloody Africans in Libya anymore whom are all criminals besides of course our independence from an Israeli Puppet
We have to get rid of all the Dictators of the Regent and help the People make a Democratic Countries like They have in Israel!!! The United States hasn't gotten it right yet either...
http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/+740m+fighter+jets+scam+sneaks+under+the+radar/-/2558/1137840/-/3kw0g3z/-/index.html
Powercorrupts, but absolute power corrupts absolutely. Gaddafi should blame his actions even though he may fall. His weakness is extremism, which he could not control, now everybody has known this. His mind-set, ignorance, greed and possessive nature deprived him of a golden opportunity to make history in the world.
The problem in Africa is the monarchy foundation and resistance to leadership innovations in the dinamic world,the age long chiefdoms and kingdoms are still very solicited for by some of her conservatives. So, to make it seem conformable to the modern polity, they simply play it to favour their long stay in power by systematically ammending/adjusting the constitution to tally with their intensions as soon as they emerge into power. If they don't do that, there would be an instrument with which their manipulations can be challenged,so to attain the status of unaccountability, they simply ammend the only instrument serving as the bases of checks and balances to the the excercise of their intended absolute authority complex. The hyper quest for power by the African leaders is a wrong cum ancestral foundation syndrom which has bedeviled leadership in Africa, you come to see that African leaders are more of rulers(autocrats) than leaders. They come to the front page of editorials to defend their unhealthy interest and do all sorts of media works to try to justify their hold to power which they most times acquire by ilegitimacy through coup,rigging, inheritance,etc. Therefore, the fear of prosecution for their unpalatable deeds while in power tends to stimulate their desire to use all the arsenal within their power to perpetuate their stay in power. So why won't Musseveni write what he wrote after 25yrs in power?, why won't Gaddaffi kill his people and call them al qaeddar so as to justify himself after 42yrs in power?.Democracy remains the best governament for the people's coexistence and government accountability to the same people that create the government
l strongly belief that Col Gadhafi the dictator has informed his friend Mr Museveni to lander his image.
the ganging up of external forces and attack on Libya is a violation of Fundamental Human Right.
Yurvri Museveni you are praising Ghadafi because you are like him, extending your time in office from two term to three term to indefinitely. But the Uganda constitution says two term in office before Museveni came to power. Now Museveni change it.
The Ugandan leader should be more worried about his democratic credentials, Gadafi will definitely go just like Gbagbo.If our dear Ugandan president can read the writing on the wall he should ensure that democracy rains in Uganda by relinquishing power.His argument for Gadafi may not be unconnected with the fear about his future, which will end in a similar fashion like the Gbagbos very soon
Well said Mr President.
As much as am not your fun, I totally agree with you on most of your points. Its true the western powers have always had double standards. They have uncoordinated foreign policies depending on there interests. They have got almost everything wrong when it comes to Africa, there rush actions on Africa have been detrimental and not helpeful. They have continued to give aid to Africa but closed there markets in regard to trade. Someone was talking about kill the gay bill....in most African cultures, being gay is an abomination and thats our business...but the western media is always very fast to comment about everything without knowledge. Its OK to be gay in Europe or USA, africans have never commented on it...so you people give us some respect, we have heard enough from you.
Dear Isaac Zaga, it's great what you wrote about gay, I'am a core antagonist of gay or so called gay right.Dear, I'am so proud to be an African for the moral esteemity we uphold as against the drastic moral decadence of the west,men go on chasing men for a wife and women do same,my God!,absurdity, ardent anomally.We Africans do absolutely abhor such inimicity and incidity,we uphold morality for posterity and that's one of the goodwill we pass on to generations and anything adverse is allien(western) to us. So,if the west is better off in governance, then we are much better in morality,in as much as our moral exhibitions are not detrimental to our neighbours. In my opinion, let Africa improve in her own kind of governance,so as to make it accommodating and equitable to all, but, the west should go and preclude from their "almighty" constitutions all the clauses in favour of gay right first,before they can start saving the world for a better place to live,the gay right is an intercontinental neuclear blastic bomb that has destroyed morality and human esteemity than litttle Musseveni and Gaddafi (although these are renegade "legitimate"leaders we can handle here in Africa)
A revolutionary leader like Museveni whom we fondly call as many names as M7, Seevo, Mpenkoni among others is rare in today political era. I am wondering why America which is killing many and many people in foreign soils is never prosecuted??? Look at Iraq, Afghanistan, how many people have lost lives due to their brutality? God forbids. Thank you Mr. President for sharing your revolutionary views for our beloved Africa. Now we hear Mr. Ban Ki Moon calling for cease fire!
Dankie vir die interessante inligting
I agree with much of what the President of Uganda wrote and I believe that even though I am from Australia, I sincerely believe that you cannot trust the majority of Western nations including Australia, why? because even we citizens of such nations cannot trust what our governments do supposedly in our name.
If you look carefully at the videos depicting the several million which have marched recently in libya such as Tripolli the other day, try and find the fanatical stereo typed muslim that the west so often portreys.
To the contrary, you find many well dressed people in fact whole families who despite over 100 days of bombing by the NATO and USA aggressors, are looking relatively cheerful and content.
These people are in control of their own destiny and are not going to let pathetic traitors from within nor the aggressors from Western alliances take this freedom from them again.
This is not about Gaddafi at all, this is about a small group of people made up of CIA, Alqaeda etc. and other rebels who are funded for long time by the west to destabilise Libya and seek to destroy its rich diverse culture and plunder what has been built by Libyans over the last few decades.
Make no mistake, the West hates Libyan 'direct democracy',
the west hates that Libya now has literacy fast catching up to it,
the West hates the massive wealth of Libya,
the West hates the progress made by Gaddafi and Libyans in seeking to bring an end to the plight of black people regarding discrimination and colonial exploitation.
The West is now embarrassed that the witnesses it paid 4 million dollars each to lie about Libyas involvement in the bombing over Lockerbie.
Remember this regarding Lockerbie, every Libyan was framed by the west as a terrorist when in fact it was not the case.
Some of the paid witnesses are now comming forward to state how they were coerced into giving such evidence agaist Gaddafi and Libya.
Lastly, would anyone give credibility to a national government such as the USA when in 1967 it gave the go ahead to Israel to sink one of its own naval vesels killing 34 and wounding 170, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRZSzdQuOqM
We now know also that the Gulf of Tonkin incident which led to the Vietnam war was a lie also. Over 500 of my Australian brothers and sisters were killed in that war because of a lie.
This war is for Libyans and Libyans only to take care of.
Those Libyans that agree with the west, are traitors, and are weak and pathetic children of Satan.
Stand and fight for your land against the NATO and USA aggressors you pathetic cowards or suffer the consequence that Egyptians, Tunisians and other nations have had to suffer in the past because of the puppets the west/ and or Israel have put into place during those periods.
Do you all want to end up cursed like those living in Iraq or Afganistan, because this is what happens when you let the West intrude into your affairs.
Stephen Olof Wikblom Sheep Shearer, Murray Bridge, South Australia
Yoweri Museveni rants on and on he sure isn't no Robert Mugabe; he made some good points, however how could he be for Gaddafi and be against him at the same time. Museveni is definitely one of the many examples of so-called African leaders whom are scared of a united Africa because it will diminished their insignificant faces at the UN as you know that many of these African states really have no say on the world stage. African Leaders like Museveni are so naive to know a Federate state of Africa would increase their individual strength than his little banana republic or clusters of banana republic. I am really disappointed in Museveni; and that such a letter could be coming from a leader of an African country. Africa needs a fast tract federation so it can stand up to the rest of the world, and not what Museveni suggested. The problem with Museveni is that he can't put the past behind. I thinks Museveni have much to learn; if we had five leaders like Gaddafi on the African continent, Africa would be a much better place. Museveni can't come close to Gaddafi and or accomplish the many things that Gaddafi accomplished in 40 years, He is so insignificant he can't even feed the people of Uganda, or pay Uganda's fees at the UN and must rely on foreign fiat money to do so.
Mr president we all know the no big difference between you and late gadaffi in terms of being greed for power, and American couldn`t turn to a blind eye when the mad dog marcyless tyrant dictetor was killing his own people. Today 34 Million Ugandans all has this same question. HOW IS IT POSSIBLE FOR A PRESIDENT WHO IS NOT A DICTETOR TO RULE HIS COUNTRY FOR 26 YEARS? IS HE GOOD AS AN ANGEL?
you can defend your self by sayig that you have been elected all this time and in Uganda the is no term limits, and you can compere Uganda to some of European countries where the is no term limits. but in european countries where the is no term limit have you seen in any of those countries being ruled by one president for 26 yr ? are you better than anyone in this countries? how good are you Mr President?