Muammar Gaddafi's Impact On Sierra Leone

Muammar Gaddafi was Libya’s leader from 1969 to 2011 (MacFarquhar, 2011). During his governing, he worked to create a revolution and spread his Pan-African ideals, in order to build an empire. Gaddafi targeted impoverished and weak countries since they were an easy target (Hilsum, 2012). Therefore, Sierra Leone, which had a political, social and economic instability, was ideal for his objectives (BBC News, 2015).

It is significant to investigate this topic to acknowledge the influence a personality can have in the society. Every country is governed by a leader and their actions are substantial as they have an effect worldwide. Gaddafi’s impact on Sierra Leone is still noticed in the present, as the country mends from the effects of the civil

It was recently remembered by the indictment of one of the character involved in the conflict. Charles Taylor questioned the international community in the reason to why Gaddafi was not in trial as he was (FERRAN & SCHECTER, 2011). This enquiry aggravates when considering the recommendation of Sierra Leone’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which addressed Libya to pay reparations in the war’s aftermath (University of Notre Dame, n.d.). Gaddafi’s participation has been kept in a low profile and there are few sources that have recognized the possibility of his involvement in the matter. It is for these reasons that this essay assesses to what extent Muammar Gaddafi, Libya's leader, influenced the development of Sierra Leone’s Civil War from 1985 to

The recruited was young people, mostly unemployed or affected by the lack of education and wealth in Sierra Leone (Ellis, 2003). As they did not have an occupation, it is likely that they became frustrated, especially in the poor conditions in which they lived (Hilsum, 2012). Education is essential for the development of a country and its population. To overcome their circumstances, it is inferred that individuals would try to benefit from sources of knowledge available to them. This would justify the predisposition of studying The Green Book, written by Gaddafi, which circulated throughout countries like Sierra Leone (Hilsum, 2012). By reviewing it, the youths would self-inculcate the leader’s practices, which would ultimately encourage them to join his cause. As the text included political, social and economic content, it is implied that the readers felt as if they could acquire knowledge to understand and improve their country’s condition. Evermore, some of the men were taken to Libya’s capital to receive lectures. While there, they would stay in hotels that differed from their reality (Hilsum, 2012). By experiencing the environment and accommodations in Libya, it could be implied that its way of governing was better than Sierra Leone’s. Therefore, they would be inclined to introduce Gaddafi’s government structure for their country’s benefit.