I applaud the patience and understanding shown by the global leadership. More than four decades of tyrannical rule, and they watched, struck deals, exchanged goodwill gestures. People took it all...subjugation and starvation.Tunisian people decided to take matters in their own hands and set the ball rolling and roll it did across nations, ousting and destroying the monoliths of dictatorial power....Ben Ali, Hosni Mubarak and now Gaddafi. While the cleansing is happening, the pertinent question that comes to mind is where will the winds of change strike yet again?
After decades of seeing the rulers enjoy the kill, the people are determined to wrest power from the tyrannical rulers. Having done that, where does the road take them and who takes charge? The rulers, tyrannical they might have been, but they successfully kept all international and national threats at bay. Their arrogance and insensitivity to popular needs proved their undoing. Many countries in the Arab world face leadership and governance crisis. Feverish attempts are on to put their homes in order first.
With pressures on every doorstep, who will help identify and take control of the destiny of the newly liberated populations. With the western powers facing serious financial crisis, the EU and USA can partner in the loot but lack the human will to ensure smooth and efficient transition. Iraq and Afghanistan are standing ovation to their seemingly humanitarian intentions. You kill the devil but where is the angel? The international will is sorely lacking in ensuring an era of peace and well being. Killing is not the only solution for peace and prosperity. If that be so, then all those you call Terrorists are comrades in arms. There are, I am sure better non violent ways to handle extreme situations. Must we go on amputating the global community?
Renu Malhotra
Editor-in-Chief , AABC
