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Writer's pictureKiAfriqa
Nov 20, 20193 min read

Libyans will regret the brutal murder of Gaddafi for the rest of their life. What did he do to them?


What do you think of when you hear the name Colonel Gaddafi? Tyrant? Dictator? Terrorist? Well, a national citizen of Libya may disagree but we want you to decide.


For 41 years until his demise in October 2011, Muammar Gaddafi did some truly amazing things for his country and repeatedly tried to unite and empower the whole of Africa.

So despite what you’ve heard on the radio, seen in the media or on the TV, Gaddafi did some powerful things that are not characteristic of a “vicious dictator” as portrayed by the western media.


Here are things Gaddafi did for Libya that you may not know about…

  • In Libya, a home is considered a natural human right

In Gaddafi’s Green Book it states: ”The house is a basic need of both the individual and the family, therefore it should not be owned by others”. Gaddafi’s Green Book is the formal leader’s political philosophy, it was first published in 1975 and was intended reading for all Libyans even being included in the national curriculum.


  • Education and medical treatment were all free

Under Gaddafi, Libya could boast one of the best healthcare services in the Middle East and Africa.  Also if a Libyan citizen could not access the desired educational course or correct medical treatment in Libya they were funded to go abroad.

  • Gaddafi carried out the world’s largest irrigation project

The largest irrigation system in the world also known as the great manmade river was designed to make water readily available to all Libyan’s across the entire country. It was funded by the Gaddafi government and it said that Gaddafi himself called it ”the eighth wonder of the world”.

  • It was free to start a farming business

If any Libyan wanted to start a farm they were given a house, farmland and livestock and seeds all free of charge.


  • A bursary was given to mothers with newborn babies

When a Libyan woman gave birth she was given 5000 (US dollars) for herself and the child.


  • Electricity was free

Electricity was free in Libya meaning absolutely no electric bills!


  • Cheap petrol

During Gaddafi’s reign, the price of petrol in Libya was as low as 0.14 (US dollars) per litre.


  • Gaddafi raised the level of education

Before Gaddafi only 25% of Libyans were literate. This figure was brought up to 87% with 25% earning university degrees.


  • Libya had Its own state bank

Libya had its own State bank, which provided loans to citizens at zero percent interest by law and they had no external debt.


  • The gold dinar

Before the fall of Tripoli and his untimely demise, Gaddafi was trying to introduce a single African currency linked to gold. Following in the footsteps of the late great pioneer Marcus Garvey who first coined the term ”United States of Africa”. Gaddafi wanted to introduce and only trade in the African gold Dinar  – a move which would have thrown the world economy into chaos.


The Dinar was widely opposed by the ‘elite’ of today’s society and who could blame them. African nations would have finally had the power to bring themselves out of debt and poverty and only trade in this precious commodity. They would have been able to finally say ‘no’ to external exploitation and charge whatever they felt suitable for precious resources. It has been said that the gold Dinar was the real reason for the NATO-led rebellion, in a bid to oust the outspoken leader.

  • Libya's GDP per capita was $ 14 192

  • For each family member, the state paid $ 1,000 in subsidies per year

  • Unemployment benefits were $ 730

  • Newlyweds were given $ 64,000 to purchase an apartment

  • For the opening of personal business, one-time financial assistance was $ 20,000

  • Large taxes and levies were prohibited

  • Education and internship abroad was at the expense of the state

  • Electricity was almost free

  • The state was paying for the purchase of a car up to 50%


So, was Muammar Gaddafi a Terrorist?

Few can answer this question fairly, but if anyone can, it’s a Libyan citizen who has lived under his reign.

Gaddafi's last words as he begged for mercy he said, 'What did I do to you?'

This article was first published by Global Research


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