Test on Libya's Foreign Policy in Sub-Saharan Africa

Question 1: As AU Chairman, Qadhafi criticized Somali pirates for their activities, viewing them as a threat to regional stability.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: When Qadhafi was elected AU Chairman in January 2009, he praised Somali pirates for fighting ‘greedy Western nations’, which contradicts the idea of him criticizing their activities.

Question 2: According to the study materials, what was a key principle Qadhafi envisioned for the political system of his proposed United States of Africa?

A. It should embrace multiparty democracy as the optimal system for African stability.

B. It would prioritize aligning with Western democratic norms to secure international aid.

C. Its political system should adopt the Libyan model, rejecting multiparty democracy due to tribal divisions.

D. It aimed to establish a unified military command, independent of any existing national models.

Explanation: Qadhafi argued that multiparty democracy was not an appropriate political system for Africa, stating, 'Our parties are tribal parties – that is what has led to bloodshed' and, therefore, his vision of the United States of Africa should adopt the Libyan model.

Question 3: Qadhafi's vision for a United States of Africa included the establishment of a single army and a single currency.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: The study materials explicitly state that Qadhafi's plan for a United States of Africa promised 'the creation of a United States of Africa with a single army, a single currency and a powerful leadership' and later described it as 'a federation with one government, one currency, one passport and one army'.

Question 4: Which of the following accurately describes a significant outcome of the September 1999 Sirte summit concerning the future of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU)?

A. It initiated the process of replacing the OAU with the brand new institution, the African Union.

B. It fully embraced Colonel Qadhafi's detailed plan for a United States of Africa with a single army and currency.

C. It decided to limit the agenda solely to revising the OAU Charter for efficiency, as proposed by Thabo Mbeki.

D. It formally declared Libya's self-imposed alienation from the OAU as permanently resolved.

Explanation: The September 1999 summit in Sirte "set in motion the process of replacing the OAU with a brand new institution, the African Union (AU)". Qadhafi's grand plan for a United States of Africa met with very strong opposition. Thabo Mbeki's proposal to restrict the agenda to revising the OAU Charter was considered 'rather limited views' and the summit made greater advances. Libya's alienation from the OAU had ended prior to the summit when Qadhafi invited leaders for deliberations, not as a direct outcome of the summit itself.

Question 5: Libya acted as a mediator to resolve the conflict in Niger, which involved an uprising by Tuareg factions against the government.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: Libya acted as a mediator to end the conflict in uranium-rich Niger that erupted after a number of Tuareg factions launched an uprising against the government. Niger's government accepted Libyan help and agreed to offer amnesty to rebels who disarmed.