What appeared like a humble and compassionate appeal by former US president Barack Obama to the people of Libya has ignited rage against him on social media
Libya floods death toll
The former president went on Twitter on Friday, September 15, to urge well-wishers to help victims of floods in Libya.
Humanitarian agencies and global news publishers announced that at least 11,300 people had been killed in the floods that hit Libya.
Bodies continue to be collected on beaches where they had been washed to by raging waters as effects of Climate Change continue to manifest in an ugly way.
Muammar Gaddafi once ruled Libya for about four decades ahead of his killing by National Transitional Council fighters who fought their way into his Sirte city home back in 2011.
NATO in Libya war
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) military intervened in the intense conflict and fight that took over eight months. Obama, then the president of the US, was among world leaders who celebrated the ouster of Gaddafi and the end of his regime.
In a repost of a post by The Obama Foundation, the former US president called on well-wishers to link up with aid agencies that were on the ground to alleviate the suffering of the people of Libya.
His foundation had made a post indicating that aid workers were in Libya to provide urgent help following the deadly flashfloods, indicating that the situation was dire.
Obama on Libya floods
“Emergency and relief workers are on the ground providing urgent aid in the aftermath of the catastrophic flash floods in northeast Libya. The toll of this natural disaster is unimaginable, and support is desperately needed,” The Obama Foundation posted.
To help spread the message, the former US president reposted it with a quote guiding well-wishers on who they could reach out with their aid to the people of Libya.
“If you’re looking to help people impacted by the floods in Libya, check out these organisations providing relief,” reposted Obama.
If you’re looking to help people impacted by the floods in Libya, check out these organizations providing relief: https://t.co/Vc9kbNgFuE
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 15, 2023
His post was not taken in good taste by a section of netizens from across the world who accused him of being part of the people who messed up Libya.
The netizens were referring to the ouster and killing of Libya’s long-term ruler, Muammar Gaddafi, who died when Obama was in power with the US and its allies having openly supported forces that deposed the leader.
“You are just an unprecedented hypocrite. You bombed that country,” Lord Abraham Mutai a Kenyan responded to Obama’s post on X.
Maxwell Otieno accused Obama of playing a role in eliminating Libyans’ hope.
“But you eliminated Gaddafi, their only hope,” Otieno responded.
George Oduor poured cold water on Obama’s compassion, saying the slain Libyan leader would have done much to help his people in this time.
“May his soul rest in peace, Gaddafi would have stood stronger with them,” Oduor said.
Never forget pic.twitter.com/MogpWyRGx3
— 👑Red Dirt Duke👑 (@Duke_Lucas_) September 15, 2023
In 2011, shortly after Libyans announced the ouster and killing of Libya, Obama made an address to the nation.
What Obama said about Gaddafi’s killing
“Today, the government of Libya announced the death of Muammar Gaddafi. This marks the end of a long and painful chapter for the people of Libya, who now have an opportunity to determine their destiny in a new and democratic Libya.
“For four decades the Gaddafi regime ruled the Libyan people with an iron fist. Basic human rights were denied, innocent civilians, detained beaten and killed. An enormous potential of Libyan people held back and terror was used as a political weapon,” Obama said in his address.
He boldly said that Gaddafi’s ouster was supported by the US, its friends and allies, including the NATO forces.
“Today we can definitively say that the Gaddafi regime has come to an end. Its major strongholds have fallen. The new gov’t is consolidating the control of the country and one of the world’s longest-serving dictators is no more.
“One year ago, the notion of a free Libya felt impossible and then the people of Libya rose up and demanded their rights. When Gaddafi and his forces began going from city to city and town by town to brutalise men, women and children, the world refused to stand idly by,” he said.
The former head explained the role of the US and its friends in the perceived defence of Libyan people from Gaddafi, who he described as a dictator.
“Faced with the potential of mass atrocities and a call of help from the Libyan people, US, its friends and allies, stopped Gadaffi’s forces in their tracks. A coalition that included the US , NATO and Arab nations persevered the summer to protect the Libyan people,” he added.
At the back of these sentiments, a section of netizens concluded that Obama would be hypocritical to insinuate that he cared for the people of Libya.