Blacks were treated as equals under Gaddafi – Rawlings

A former President of Ghanaian Jerry John Rawlings has condemned the sale of black Africans as slaves in Libya.

“How sad that events should turn out this way and the black man is being subjected to this kind of treatment in Libya of all places?”

“And I say so with emphasis because whatever faults Gaddafi had, blacks were treated as equals in Libya than in most Arab countries,” he added.

American news agency CNN published cellphone and hidden-camera footage from what appeared to be “slave auctions” conducted in Libya.

Some undercover CNN journalists showed what looked like migrants from West African countries being haggled over as “merchandise” by smugglers operating in what has become a haven for illicit trafficking networks.

“Does anybody need a digger? This is a digger, a big strong man, he’ll dig,” said a salesman in camouflage gear. “What am I bid, what am I bid?”

The UN Security Council, as well as Libyan authorities, have launched investigations into the report which has seen worldwide condemnation.

Rawlings also joining in condemning the situation said: “While this frightening experience may no doubt serve as a deterrent to the use of Libya as a gateway to Europe, we must still add our voices to the call to our Libyan brothers to show a little more compassion to our vulnerable black African brothers and sisters."

“We are all creations of the one Allah, but disfigured by the shameless greed and corruption of man.”