African officials, experts question military intervention in Libya

NAIROBI, April 1 (Xinhua) -- A number of African officials and experts believe oil is the real motive fueling the ongoing air raids against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and his loyalists.

Mahboub Maalim, executive secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), said Western countries always expect a pro-West government to manage Libya's abundant oil resources.

Political science Professor Bihella Mahoundi at the University of Botswana also echoed Maalim's opinion, saying Libya's oil mainly flows to a number of European powers like France, Italy, Spain and Germany.

He said France has a very large stake in Libya's oil reserves. Most of the 30-plus French firms investing in Libya are doing business in the energy field, with oil companies pouring billions of U.S. dollars into the chaotic North African nation.

Seeking to protect its interests on the ground, France became very anxious in the coalition mission, trying to oust Gaddafi from power, the professor said.

However, almost 13 days into the campaign against Libya's government, it seems the air strikes haven't produced the desired effect with Gaddafi still in control of the situation, Mahoundi said.

He said that if the air raids continue to cause civilian casualties, it would be quite possible for the Libyans to become even more pro-Gaddafi.

He also said huge domestic and international pressure would ferment if further military intervention were carried out, noting that many anti-military operation demonstrators have already staged their protests.

For his part, Maalim said military operations may very likely split Libya, shattering this nation into pieces occupied either by pro- or anti- Gaddafi forces.

He also said the worsening situation in Libya would produce waves of refugees which would swarm into neighboring countries and threaten regional security.

Additionally, terrorists from Afghanistan, Somalia and similar nations would use anti-Western intervention as an excuse to penetrate into Libya and the surrounding region, posing a greater security challenge, he said.

Maalim said currently a commission is seeking peaceful means to solve the Libyan crisis.

The commission members include heads of state from five nations -- Mauritania, Uganda, Mali, the Republic of the Congo and South Africa -- as well as Jean Ping, chairman of the African Union (AU).

Godfrey Ayoo, Kenya's international political expert, called on the Western nations to immediately cease their military action and urged a ceasefire between the Gaddafi forces and the rebels.

He also said the AU, the Arab League, the United Nations (UN) and the European Union should all play an active role in promoting a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

Yet he said those countries involved in military operations in Libya shouldn't participate in the process to settle the crisis peacefully, and the UN should investigate civilian losses caused by coalition air strikes.

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