By Sufyan Maghur.
12 December 2012:
I am really puzzled at the recent actions and interviews by some of the Al Kib ex-government . . .[restrict]members. Most have already gone back to their original home (outside of Libya) and have resumed their careers away from Libya and it’s struggle but still hoping to gain from their short endeavour.
Recently I read an interview with ex-Health Minister, Dr. Fatima Hamroush, in the Irish Times, in which she blasted the situation during her term and blamed corruption and lack of security for all the current woes in Libya. She said that she became a marked woman and that her life was threatened not enabling her to stop more than a billion dollars from being mishandled.
I do not know whether what she is saying is true or not I am disappointed that she chose to talk to an Irish newspaper about the situation without facing the Libyan people whom she served. While in fact most Libyans blame the weakness and failure of the government (that she served in) for all the confusion and instability we face now.
What is disturbing me is the wave of criticism and attacks from these ministers and/or ex-government officials after they had left office in defence of their failed attempt to govern Libya. While they seem to have been quiet during their term in office, this is what I call the ‘Kiss and Tell Syndrome’.
The correct action should be to voice their opinion and protect the public’s interest while in office and seek their support to engage in good governance and try to create change. The fact that most are now voicing their criticism is a notion that they were either involved in the same actions they are attacking or they are incompetent and have no courage or credibility.
I do not feel sympathetic to any ex-official coming out now with horror stories about their term to try and gain support for their own ego. I would have supported them and given them my voice if they did it while they were serving the people.
But I say now is too late and I feel sorrow that they are still seeking the lime light after being shoved aside. They don’t mention any oversight or mistakes specifically made by them giving the suggestion that any criticism should be voiced on others and they play victim.
It is also a shame that most of these ministers have other nationalities and are now living in those countries out of reach of Libyan law and away from any investigations into the corruption and/or mismanagement of their power or public funds.
On the contrary they seem to be enjoying their celebrity status and are given a hero’s welcome with interest in their stories and short ill experience. I wonder how many of Al Kib’s Ministers (Including himself) are still in Libya?
I hope that this opinion will not be taken as an attack on Libyan expatriates as I am one of them and there are many who have and are still serving Libya, it’s valuable revolution and contributing to it’s future. But the high profile actions of some and personal interests of others have put a negative spin on all of us.
I am voicing my opinion in the strong hope that the current government will not put a lid on the previous transitional government and it’s actions. In fact I am hoping for a full investigation of all the ministries and ministers to see if there was actual mismanagement of public funds and trust, showing us who is responsible and give us justice.
I also encourage all who were involved to try and give their support with their experience in a positive manner without trying to continue and benefit from it. We should learn from our mistakes and repeat our success to build a new country for ourselves and future generation.
Libya is in dire need of compassion and bravery at this time and it certainly doesn’t need negative criticism, self defence, attacks and people with personal interests. It is time for all to put aside their egos and to move forward as one.
When you kiss you shouldn’t tell otherwise no-one will trust you with another kiss.
Sufyan Maghur lives in Canada.
The views expressed in Opinion articles do not necessarily reflect those of the Libya Herald.
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