Is Colonel Gaddafi good news for Africa?

Once again, Libyan troops have come to the rescue of the besieged President of the Central African Republic, Ange Felix Patasse.

Is this another sign that Colonel Muammar Gaddafi wants to get more involved in African affairs?

Or is he just after the Central African Republic's mineral resources?

Colonel Gaddafi was one of the driving forces behind the formation of the African Union - he even paid off some of the debts owed to the Union's predecessor, The Organisation of African Unity.

And last week, Libya announced it wanted to leave the Arab League.

So, is Colonel Gaddafi good news for Africa?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

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Your reaction

For the past five hundred years or Africa had been the most exploited areas by foreign companies. In order to achieve peace, stability and respect amongst African nations, there must be a strong, willing and outspoken leaders such as Gadaffi, to be involved economically and with all other means for the liberation of Africa from the ever striving efforts of foreign companies in their exploitation of the continent. Gadaffi should be given the possibility to use the necessary financial resources at his disposal for the development of the multilateral political relationships that do prevail between African nations today.
Abdoulie Jeng, Sweden

A man like Gaddafi is not and will never be a good president in Africa. My reason is that he is an autocrat not democrat. So he should never be given a chance to be president for all Africa.
Dklevimah Ernest Mokabeh, Denmark

He has a vision for Africa

Wellington Mukumba, Zambia

Gaddafi is a great son of Africa, who is not intimidated by the superpowers. He is already acknowledged by most Africans as an African Statesman. He has a vision for Africa. With this and his country's resources he can contribute to the development of our continent. Let all Africans support and help him to realise the vision he has for Africa. Long Live Gaddafi Long Live Africa.
Wellington Mukumba, Zambia

There is a desperate power vacuum in Africa. Colonel Gaddafi has money and is clearly not aligned with distrusted nations (e.g US/UK). I can see, therefore, why he might be seen as a hero. Before you put him in that role though, look at the kind of people (rather than countries) he is supporting. Look as well as his rejection by the Arab nations. Africa needs a leader, it needs an independent and strong leader - but it also needs a just one, and I just can't see Gaddafi fitting the last part, however well he fits the first. Africa - good luck to you, but I'm sure you can find a better leader.
Keith, UK

We Africana have been the laughing stock of the world because we have nothing to offer ourselves. Now when a good Samaritan tries his best to assist he is being seen as bad. Let's forget the past and go forward, Gaddafi is assisting - leave him alone. When are you western countries going to be happy with Africa? Just take care of your own business, if not, then give something good to Africa - which you have failed so far to do.
Tshepho Bogosing, Botswana/studying in South Africa

Gadaffi is definitely good for Africa. Where as the west enjoys plundering our wealth, destabilising our countries and supporting despotic and corrupt leaders to make us look under achievers in the eyes of the world - Gaddafi for one thinks we can do better. His moves in Africa are a welcome. One thing is for sure, we are yet to read that he has stashed millions in a western bank and this to some of us is a sign of a leader with conscience
Biwal John, Malaysia

Africa definitely needs Gaddafi. Right now, Africa needs anyone and everyone who is willing to help in economic development. Gaddafi's intentions might not be the best for Africa but there are not many options to chose from. Even if Gaddafi intends to take away from the continent, we hope that in the long run Africa will as well have benefited from him. After all, even the West and America's interest is to serve themselves and we welcome them with open hands. So why not welcome Gaddafi, at the least he is one of us. He might benefit us more that the westerners.
Nicholas Ngugi, USA/Kenyan

Colonel Gaddafi is one of the most brave leaders in Africa

Oscar Dahn, USA/Liberia

Colonel Gaddafi is one of the most brave leaders in Africa. If there is an election in choosing a leader of Africa I will vote for Colonel M. Gaddafi. His aim is to bring African countries together so that we can be United States of Africa. I hope that his dream will come true while he is still alive.
Oscar Dahn, USA/Liberia

When people think about Gaddafi, they should also think how he got into power. Was it through the ballot or gun? What was his behaviour before America bombed him? I have been following his trips outside his country he almost takes all his security men and women to guide him where ever he goes. That means he does not trust anyone because of his wrongs he committed before. Gaddafi cannot and will not unite Africa instead he will bring more conflicts.
R D Phiri, Malawi

He personifies what is wrong in Africa and yet is adored by many.

Rob, UK

It is distressing that such an autocratic, self-serving, and erratic person as Gaddafi is held in such high esteem. He personifies what is wrong in Africa and yet is adored by many. He, with others, has ensured that the Nepad committee failed to implement a political peer review process - as required by the donor community. Judging from their actions Africa seems happy with despots, political patronage and underdevelopment; and given a choice would prefer Gaddafi and his policies over European standards and assistance. So why does Europe continue to waste its time and resources?
Rob, UK

Gadaffi is a creation of world politics. Asking whether he is good for Africa, requires us to ask whether the current world politics is of any good for Africa. Given how things are, Gaddafi is good for Africa. Until when global politics change for the good of Africa, Gaddafi will remain an asset to Africa's quest for better living condition.
Tanui M.K., Kenya

Gaddafi is the worst news for Africa. He is bent on nourishing dictatorships. Imagine in 1979 he sent his soldiers to Uganda to back his mad brother Idi Amin in his hopeless war against the liberators. Again just last year he told president Museveni that revolutionaries do not retire. What good is such a man to Africa?
Ogena Chris, Uganda

3-4 leaders like Gaddafi and Africa would be a heaven.

John Henry, Singapore

Bush, Blair and many world leaders cry for Africa and yet do nothing. Only the French and Italians rush in to help when there is a problem. Others just lift out their citizens. Gaddafi alone has done a lot for people of Africa and no one can deny that. I agree 3-4 leaders like Gaddafi and Africa would be a heaven.
John Henry, Singapore

There is void in leadership in Africa. Gaddafi is trying to fill up that void. We should be proud that he took the initiative to do that. It's time to stop talking about Africa's problems and moving along the direction of solving some of the problems. And, my fellow African, Gaddafi is doing just that.
Sekayu, Oromia

Colonel Gaddafi is an iron man. The Libyan oil richness is controlled only by the Libyans. Their wealth is shared equally among the Libyans. The country works well and helps Africans states when need is needed. If we had three more Gaddafi's then mother Africa could be heaven.
Boniface Karumbi, Norway

I am concerned about his credibility

Solo, USA

I am concerned about his credibility. Beside our appreciation for his financial assistance, it would not make him a competent leader of a United States of Africa.
Solo, USA

He is better for Africa then Blair or Bush can ever be.
Yasser, UK

Gaddafi is good and bad for Africa, he is like a drug dealer who uses the bad money he gets to build schools and do other useful community projects. In the first place he was not supposed to interfere militarily in any country's affairs, but on the other side he is the only one who is helping the poor people of Zimbabwe. Gaddafi's money is good but he is not good enough.
Motsholathebe, South Africa

Mr. Gaddafi is a very good example of how a rich tyrant can manipulate a continent. He is not good for himself let alone for Africa. We Africans should work very hard to eradicate this type of leader.
Neftegnaw, USA

He has the will, the money and the zeal to help Africa

A C Akuma, Cameroon

The Colonel is good for Africa. He is not a man of flamboyant speeches but a man of action. He has the will, the money and the zeal to help Africa. We need such leaders. Mr Colonel, we are behind you.
A C Akuma, Cameroon

It is unthinkable for African leaders to embrace a leader like Gaddafi, whose country killed and maimed Africans just a few years ago. Gaddafi has nothing to offer Africans except misery and endless wars through his support of rebels and rogue and dictatorial governments in sub-Saharan Africa. Gaddafi is now turning southwards because his erratic policies have lost favour amongst his Arabs. We do not need him in this country either. Please, Gaddafi leave us alone!
AR Mandisodza, Zimbabwe

We are better off without Gaddafi

Ethiopiawi, Ethiopia

I, for one, do not think Gaddafi is good for Africa. To start with, he is unpredictable in all forms. I can best describe him as a chameleon. He has been involved with many African countries in different projects. None of those projects has worked so far. We are better off without Gaddafi.
Ethiopiawi, Ethiopia

Gaddafi may not be the best African son, but certainly the continent needs men of his calibre. It is common knowledge that Western nations will call a man names if they can't do business with him. Please leave Gaddafi alone, he is a lesser sinner than those pointing fingers at him.
Jones M. Ilukena, Zambia

It is undoubtedly that Gaddafi's unique brand of people power has worked in Libya. This is mainly due to common culture and religion. Gaddafi may have realised that such a system may not work in other parts of the African continent because of the diversity in culture and religion. But, his drives in helping other African countries realise similar successes should be welcomed throughout the continent.
N. Savage, USA/Sierra Leone

He is no good for Africa

James Saydee, Sr, USA

When I think of good African leader, I think of Nelson Mandela. The only thing Gaddafi good at is training terrorists to destroy African counties and kill innocent civilians. He is no good for Africa.
James Saydee, Sr, USA

As an Arab (not from North Africa), I feel Gaddafi is erratic. He has shifting loyalties and the most inconsistent policies I have ever seen in an Arab leader. One day he will be championing the Palestinian cause, the next he will be forcing Palestinians living in Libya outside his borders. I'm afraid I don't know much of Gaddafi's involvement in African affairs, but if he behaves as erratically as he does in the Arab world, then a definite no to him and the likes of him.
Jafar, New Zealand

Colonel Gaddafi is one of the most open-minded leaders in the world and especially Africa. For one, he has refused to be used and misused by other world superpowers and has told them off on many occasions even at the expense of losing their support in economic development. He is an African hero and we need other leaders to join hands with him for the development of our poor continent in the new African Union. We need Gaddafi in Africa.
Mwenda Mungania, Kenya

Funny, all the people who are writing against Gaddafi on this site are not based in Africa. The fact is those people on the continent like him.
Charles, Lilongwe

We must afford him the benefit of the doubt

George Mutua, Kenya

The approach Gaddafi used in getting mining rights in the Central African Republic is questionable and somewhat disturbing. However, considering his strong support and foresight in the formation of the African Union we must also afford him the benefit of the doubt. If Gaddafi is sincerely seeking the empowerment of the African continent, then we must all welcome and implement his vision. It is the duty of the other African leaders to provide the necessary checks and balances in ensuring that Gaddafi's vision works best for the African people.
George Mutua, Kenya

The man is erratic, eccentric and simply troublesome. I think Africa will do better without him. He is behind most of the troubles in the West African sub-region today. His support for the rebel movements in Liberia and Sierra Leone is a glaring example. He has an ideology he wants to spread that is completely unacceptable to the rest of the continent.
Abdul Gassimu Tejan, Australia

He intentionally destabilises African countries

Sandy Kamanda, Sierra Leone/USA

Gaddafi is now focusing on Africa's problems because he feels left out in the cold by his more powerful Arab brothers of the Arab League. He has been involved in several of these rebel conflicts in Africa for his selfish gains. He intentionally destabilises African countries and then pretends to come to their rescue - so that the world can hail him as the "Godfather of Africa"
Sandy Kamanda, Sierra Leone/USA

I would like to see Mr Gadaffi being the president of a United States of Africa. He is a hero and that is why people love him across the continent He is really a good guy and he is more African than Arab.
Abdi Farah Yusuf, Somalia

Why won't he be good for Africa? He's the only African leader to boldly stand up to Western imperialism and exploitation. He has helped to restore our self esteem. If anything he has done more good for his African people than any African or Westerner. Agree?
MJ, USA/Cameroon

Good for Africa as far as Gaddafi is concerned is very relative

Cillaty Daboh, Sierra Leone

It's been Africa's experience that Arabs on the African continent only accept their Africanism when they need our support in the international arena. Good for Africa as far as Gaddafi is concerned is very relative. It depends on what side of bed he wakes up everyday. Today he is supplying arms to Africans to kill each other and overthrow a legitimate government. The next day he is defending a legitimate government from being overthrown.
Cillaty Daboh, Sierra Leone

Gadaffi is man of mixed characters, jumping from one unfinished business to the other. I don't think he is good for Africa after plunging the West African sub-region into conflict and total retrogression by firstly acting as the promoter, planner and grandfather of Charles Taylor and Foday Sankoh of Sierra Leone. Gadaffi is not genuine, he has been oscillating and vacillating between the Arab League and African affairs like a pendulum in search of a balance.
Mohamed Sesay, Sierra Leonean/USA

Asking if Colonel Gaddafi is good news for Africa is the same as asking if the United States, France, Britain, Russia or any other nation is good news for the world. All these countries deploy troops to where their interest lies.
Thos Gbatu, USA

Africa needs Colonel Gaddafi's money for development. Does that make him good for Africa? Yes, Africa needs people like Colonel Gaddafi, who can put to use Africa's resources in order to create jobs in the continent, reducing the number of people under the poverty line.
Leo, Uganda