Libya is committing crimes against humanity while the African Union and the UN are watching as black people are enslaved on the African soil! Arab slave trade in Africa continued long after it was abolished — this repeat of this trade of hell must be stopped now.
Our people where smuggled out and auctioned across the world because of the color of their skin. Since then, we black Africans have been taken advantage–we exist at the mercy of White or light skinned people. We are black people but not full humans. We are commodities to be sold at will–we are humans without sanctity; we are simply too black to be seen. I can assure you that the world would have responded differently if white people were enslaved in Libya. But these are black animals–so who cares? There is no reason to pretend we are not seeing it–our fellow humans are being being auctioned, called in animals, forced to work without pay, and enslaved.
I am so disappointed that black African presidents are unmoved by this evil. We may wait for America or Europe to stop this mess– but at their own time. Black Africa can stop it right now–they must move in to liberate the captives in Libya.
There is nothing to be lost by addressing how Arabs have treated us Black people. The Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir committed genocide on Black people. Yet our useless African Union dominated by Black presidents has protected him from being held responsible. Black presidents love him at the AU!
Let us face it—Libya is degrading us. Unless we all stand up against Libya, Black lives will continue to be commodities to benefit Libya. We may say that we have We cannot continue to hide by the claim of African Unity—it is the unity of the skin! We must stand up against it now – future generations will judge us.
It is shameful that we turn the blind eye on slavery in our time. We did not know then how many Africans died during this trade of hell, but that was then. Today we must stand up to Libya and let them know that we know what is going on in the world.
I fully agree that our ancestors watched as Arabs took our own as slaves. They did not have the knowledge and the power to stop it–but we do. We must realize that the auctioning of another human being is an insult and attack on all of us. This barbaric trend needs to be stopped at any cost; and perpetrators of this crimes against humanity must arrested and tried. I believe the AU can address this crisis—Libya is not on planet Mars–it is in Africa.
By Rev. Kapya Kaoma
If Muammar Ghadaffi was still there, this slavery would not have happened. Just one reason why they killed him.
Fipuba ku Libya. Zambians you worry about yourselves. For example where is HH at this precise moment?
I asked other day; slavery to do what kind of work? Where are they sold, on fishing boats or Boko Haram?
I can only imagine female slaves, enslaving a man without committing a crime?
We keep on saying this, AU is useless. Instead of solving issues at hand they are busy discussing myths of imperialism and colonialism. This includes our Zambian leaders and supporters of these fake conspiration theories.And sure, they are looking at the same muzungu they despise to come all the way from Europe to solve their problems. It’s 2017, and yet African leaders have never wakened up, to come solve the real issues. Tell me about any critical African issue that AU has solved PROACTIVELY by itself?? Bane, for as long as we continue having that mentality that Muzungu is always there to manipulate you, we will never grow stronger to solve our problems. Why don’t we think of way for us to manipulate the muzungu to our benefit? This Libya case is indeed a shame, having watched CNN…
This Libya case is indeed a shame, having watched CNN undercover Reporter who mapped out how this is done.
DID AU STAND TO INDIA WHEN NIGERIAN STUDENTS WERE SLAUGHTERED ON THE STREETS OF INDIA JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO? WORSE STILL DID NIGERIA THE MOST TALKATIVE WITH STINKINGLY MONEYED THIEVES EVEN STRONGLY PROTEST AND URGE AU TO BOYCOAT GOODS AND SERVICES FROM INDIA? ELSE, DID NIGERIA LAUNCH A COMPLAINT AT THE UN AGAINST THE BRUTAL KILLING OF STUDENTS? DID NIGERIA WITHDRAW ALL IT’S STUDENTS FROM INDIA AND URGE OTHER AFRICANS TO DO THE SAME THROUGH AU? NON-COMMITAL IS THE WAY WE AFRICANS DESPICE OURSELVES. SUPPOSING THE OPPOSITE HAPPENED TO INDIANS IN NIGERIA- ALL NIGERIAN PEOPLE RESIDENT IN INDIA WERE GOING TO BE HUNTED AND KILLED THAT I KNOW FOR SURE. IT’S APITY THAT HEATHERTO, AFRICA STILL CANNOT LOOK AFTER AND DEFEND IT’S CHILDREN.
THIS IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE BUT MANY SERIOUSLY HORRIBLE THINGS HAPPEN TO BLACK AFRICANS IN OTHER LANDS AND AU DOES NOT SEEM TO BE BOTHERED. BLACK AFRICANS GET SLAUGHTEED JUST BECAUSE OF THEIR SKIN COLOUR WHILE AFRICAN LEADER DINE AND WINE WITH THE LEADERS OF SUCH NATIONS. “AFRICA TWASEBANA”.
Sorry to disappoint you but the AU is as ineffective as can be. This is the right time when all black African nations should have shown unity by collectively condemning this atrocity, and the AU warning Libya that if it doesn’t resolve this issue immediately, they’ll be kicked out of the African Union, slapped with sanctions if any, with an option of military action. Black people don’t seem to understand that just because something is happening to blacks in another country doesn’t mean that it doesn’t affect you. We react with indifference, and pathetic docility when people of our own race are being mistreated by another race. This explains why blacks were easily hauled from this continent as slaves some three, four hundred years ago. Like the writer said, had these been whites…
(Continued)… being mistreated like this by Libyans, the reaction would have been completely different by European countries. What’s the purpose of the AU then if it doesn’t include protecting all the citizens of Africa? This slavery in Libya has been going on for months now, if not years. The African Union knew about it, and chose to say nothing. They were forced to say something this time, only because of International outrage that followed the CNN investigation. In fact, it shouldn’t have taken CNN to discover that blacks were being enslaved in Libya. This investigation should have been carried out by the African Union a long time ago. But they did nothing. Please put the security of vulnerable Africans on the AU agenda, especially black people who are most vulnerable. Act…
(Continued)… like a federal government if you can. Project an image of toughness, so enemies of Africa— both domestic and foreign— get to know they cannot take advantage of (black) Africans with impunity. If an atrocity like this happens and you say nothing, you project weakness as an organization and it’ll be very difficult for anyone to respect you. If you’re too busy running (some of you looting) your countries, at least appoint full time representatives who will be attending to serious urgent issues like this one. You’re putting the lives of all black people everywhere in danger by your inaction and docility. Shame on you.
The AU is a talk shop…useless bunch of foools!!
AU is here in Africa.
You are now pointing fingers at the wrong people. Ask what happened to Libya before Gaddafi was killed? We have such short memories. The real problem is not the Libyan Govt. it is the one who destroyed Libya , Iraqi and others who are following. Ever wondered why North Korea does not want to listen to all the crap about nuclear that nuclear this. Soon Iran will rightfully follow their dream and produce their own nuclear arms because the world has no leadership anymore. What we have are what the bibles calls noise gongs.
That’s the reason I have no respect for these useless racist organisations. They are supposed to address serious issues of slave trade in Libya other than paying so much attention at Zimbabwe. A black person has been reduced to nothing in this world. The UN and AU are just a bunch of bozo clowns.
Well written. We have seen through globalized media that slavery is taking place, yet no action from the AU. During recent summit with EU, African leaders spent time with EU leaders, discussing how to stem the flow of immigrants from Africa to Europe without rising to get directly involve to stop the movements nor to stop the slavery in Libya. It is clear that we lack assertive and decisive leadership on the continent. The era of the pan Africans is gone and now we are relegated to sit and watch while a failed state, (Libya after Col Gadaffi), becomes a platform for re energizing slave trade. The same leaders, most sat silent when Col Gadaffi was taken out. What a shame. African leaders, let’s unite and use every resource at our disposal to compel the slave traders to cease their…
Are we so cursed that all we do is smile even in the face of violation upon our humanity? Shame! I have been equally disappointed with the way South Africa shielded the Sudanese Genocidal President Shia. Really, with all the facts on the ground and so recently in SUDAN we shield a murderer. CNN has brought evidence on black slavery in Libya. I have not heard from Black African HOSs. Hello! Do we have leadership?
And the PF wants to give the bucks for our ZAMTEL. RB and all those associated in selling ZAMTEL must coughup the money to Libya and not Zambians.
It is shameful at this time of the century??? What are our leaders saying?? Are they supporting it or not?? They MUST come out in open and condemn they barbaric act in totality. Why being mute when CNN has clearly shown this slave trade going on in Libya. Lets all stand up and condemn. However, the Nigerian government should take Libya to ICC for selling her citizens.
Slavery is endemic to Africa. It’s the fabric out of which African civilisation thrives. Chief Kazembe embraced slavery. His kingdom was where the two slave routes met. The Portuguese came from Angola and terminated there. The Arabs came from Tanganyika and stopped there to stock up on food supplies.
What is your point, do you mean we need to live in slavery since it was practiced in Chief Kazembe era?
Correct your thinking before you hammered here.
Ma Visionless Chule’ like ba Chagwa & co, will in the meantime waste poor Zambian Taxpayers cash on hosting a useless “African Forum on Israel” that wont benefit our people, BUT no forums to discuss suffering of fellow African brothers & sisters currently being sold to Slavery in Libya.
WRONG PRIORITIES, WRONG VISION, & ONLY BELLY CONCERNS CHAPWA!!
This is just as much an african’s problm as it is of the international community.Against a background of poverty induced migrations the author of this article would’ve sounded less vague by focussing on proliferate intra african causes of the vice than embarking on this wild apportioning of blame
This is just as much an african’s problm as it is of the international community.Against a background of poverty induced migrations the author of this article would’ve sounded less vague by focussing on proliferate intra african causes of the vice than embarking on this wild apportioning of blameBBC
EU is quiet because this is a good deterant for illegal immigration from West Africans!!
Eish ,i’m allergic to slavery and African leaders quiet hypocrisy to the same.
I have never liked arabs. As slave traders, they were shockingly cruel and they continue to enslave us. A CNN expose revealed how they harvest organs for sale from black immigrants. They harvest these organs without anaesthesia and throw bodies anywhere to decompose. One Arab out many opted to give these bodies a decent burial. When these arabs are on the receiving end in Syria or during Arab spring, it’s no skin off my nose. Thanks.
And one terrible thing is that despite them Arabs being masters of slave trade who shipped millions into arabic land and to america, there is no sign of any blacks in the arab region today-reason? After using them without allowing them to marry or start up families, they slaughted them all like dogs! Arabs are crueler than even whites and I hate them!!!
So called “black people” do no go to Libyia. Stay your ass in your country. Period!!
The truth is Libya has just highlighted the issue to the world. In general, the Arabic countries are racist to blacks. Disclaimer: When I say racist, I for one do not hide behind that tag and don’t use it to hinder my progress. But the point I wanted to mention is that 2 years ago I went to Morrocco with my family for a summer holiday. When you have All Inclusive, you are served with food and drinks all day long, i noticed one black was always sad and annoyed each time I showed up for a drink or food. Until one day, I caught red handed how the Arabs were beating this poor black guy. I couldn’t stand it, I shouted at the guys and reported the case to the Hotel authority. Later, the black guy thanked me and apparently this was going on for years. The culprits got fired. As much as you…
Ba general, if you can afford a vacation. Please I would advise that your next vacation please come to Orlando, Florida, USA. please visit Universal Studios, City Walk ( I live just a block from there), visit Disney World, your family will really appreciate you. Please here will look at how you use your wallet more that how you look like or the color of your skin. I have stayed in up scale hotels and resorts, Crown Plaza Hotel, Sheraton Resort on International drive in Orlando, Florida. I was treated with respect like anyone else. i am a Black Zambian, though be here for a while.
Cypriachilufya, you’re right. Times I have visited the USA through the eastern parts I’ve not experienced any form of racism. I’ve in top hotels and everybody seems to mind there business. It’s when you look suspicious that you will attract animosity. By the way how did these people find themselves in Libya?
i think we all right on one thing.What is happening in libya is nothing new to say the least.Africans have been treated with like animals ever since we came in contact with arabs or europeans for that matter.Even said so,we are no longar ruled by either of the above.so where does the problem lay.Because as far as am concerned we fail to unity over issures that affect us the most.slavery should never be entaintaned anywhere in the world.our leadership in africa have failed to rise to the ocassion.Africans should learn to love one another,feel for one another,support each other what ever the cost before we demand that of the world.We are by the far the richest continet on the planet and yet the poorest on earth.Am sure the outher is begging for a constructive discussion over the matter.We…
Unfortunately, maybe colonialism and slavery left a big dent, such that even after so many generations we still live under that. We can not creatively think of ways to better our lives, but we have enough time to blame muzungu for everything.
@cyprianchilufya
I have been to some of those places already.
My point was not about whether I can afford the vacation or not, of course, I do, but rather my point was about racism. Sometimes the people who are most racist are people who are similar to blacks…Arabs, Indians, etc. I have traveled to many many countries, but I had a negative experience with Morocco, hence my mentioning it. I wouldn’t want to duel more on that, we keep focused on the topic of slavery, which is definitely is happening elsewhere in North Africa besides Libya.
The problem with the AU is the low calibre of staff in its secretariat, the African Union Commission. Recruitment is not done on merit.
Now you see this modern day slavery and you still think its bad idea for Zambia to host Israel-Africa summit and be closer to the Jewish state?
@Mzambia wa Zamani, blacks are not treated well in Israel either–sorry to disappoint you. Do some research. Go to YouTube and type in “Racism in Israel” and see what you get. Blacks are not sold as slaves in Israel, but they’re terribly discriminated against. Stop looking to other nations and races for comfort and security. Blacks need to lookout for each other– among themselves first.
Those advocating for Zambia to compensate Lapgreen for ZAMTEL should think twice as to who the real beneficiaries are in this dodgy deal scandal.
Sad reality of what people are doing and as much as these Arab people traffickers are the main culprits the African leaders who allow their people to travel this perilous journey are just as evil as the African chiefs during the slave trade that sold off their own people to Arab and European slave traders! This is a sad fact, the AU is a rubber stamp that is full of red tape and hot air that says a lot but does little!
Where was the AU when South Africans butchered fellow Africans because of jobs in the mediocre class saying they were taking their jobs this is a real issue. The blacks in Libya are not slaves they are workers without legitimate papers but any genuine application for papers is never approved so you work at the mercy of those lazy Arabs the same as in South Africa. Once you rise in a company they come after you and they close you down. South Africans behave as if the world never fought to liberate them its one of the worst places to try and work and even live, crime, hate is the order of the day…
@changeweneed UPND…Have you been hiding under a rock the past few weeks? Are you not aware of the CNN slavery investigation video? Have you not seen the images in yesterday’s NEWSWEEK magazine online, of how these slaves in Libya are being burnt (roasted) alive? And organs removed from their bodies? Come on man, get serious.
Why are we failing to address the reasons why our young people are taking themselves into slavery.Mugabe up 21days ago was a hero by sadc and AU standards.This is a man over 37yrs who as forced his own citizens into exile.Driven a once prosperous country into desolation.where is our responsibility why do we want to blame innocent people for problems of our own making.We problem has to do with poor leadership.
@Biloko…slave traders in Libya are not “innocent people.” People move all the time from poor countries to rich ones. For instance, people are constantly trying to enter the USA from South American countries via Mexico. But they’re not treated as bad in Mexico as these blacks are being treated in Libya. Our useless leaders are to take the biggest blame, yes, for not developing our black countries. But that doesn’t justify what the Libyans are doing to the poor and vulnerable black people. So don’t call these slave traders “innocent people,” because they’re not.
Zambians are among slaves sold in Libya
Gateway to reach Europe
The refugees and migrants – most of them from Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Zambia, Senegal, Gambia and Sudan – are smuggled into Libya by a network of criminal gangs on the promise of reaching Europe’s shores.
Libya is the main gateway for people attempting to reach Europe by sea, with more than 150,000 people making the deadly crossing in each of the past three years.
s/2017/11/african-refugees-bought-sold-murdered-libya-171129103602048.html
Black Africans should stay in their native countries and help develop rather than seek greener pastures from Arab world where they end up losing their precious lives.
The media is NOT going to come near his one any more. Politicians the world over do not want to touch it and are NOT going to touch this. Feel bad and sad all you want, it will have zero effect. If it is something that may paint islam or muslims in a bad light and shows their culture for what it really is and you are at the wrong end of their evil, you are screwed, my friend. At this politically charged era, they are off limits and untouchable. They will sprinkle a few articles here and there and claim outrage and that is it. Black corrupt politicians in Africa will simply continue to be bribed to help perpetuate the oppression of the Africans and things will continue as usual. This is very sad but this is the truth.