In effect Gadaafi seems to be making a bid to save Mugabe which, if successful, would create a virtual Libyan client state at the far end of Africa. Already there is evidence of direct Libyan involvement in the violence which racked Zimbabwean farms in the last ten days.
Relations between Mugabe and Gadaafi have been warm for some time but it is only in the last year, as Zimbabwe's shortage of foreign exchange has caused repeated fuel cut-offs that Mugabe has several times flown to Tripoli to plead with Gadaafi for deliveries on credit. Gadaafi, who has despaired of his efforts to play a leadership role in the Arab world, has begun to use his financial muscle to make interventions right across black Africa where he has made Zimbabwe a special case, advancing Mugabe a loan of $100 million. [End Excerpt]
Do you still think we should just stand back and watch Africa go to criminal strong men?
The problem with Africa seems to revolve around the presence of all those Africans
What I mean by that, is that democracy seems incompatible with the current African culture. Conquering and ruling them is incompatible with American culture. So they're out of luck.
At least a criminal strong man will keep the inter-group violence down, and keep the subject people alive, if only to maintain his own profit margins