By Oscar O Odondi

It is interesting to watch the events as they unfold in the northern part of our continent, even as the so-called African Union (AU) folds its tail between its legs. It is also interesting to see the "bunker bedroom outcome" of the standoff in Ivory Coast.

Even more interesting, is to hear the likes of Yoweri Museveni criticise Western powers for intervening in Libya.

Whoever said history repeats itself deserves a pat on the back. Adolf Hitler, who believed that possession of power, is everything, and he could not imagine ever being contained while he wielded so much power and the strongest military on Earth. The same forces currently ranged in Libya, stopped this ‘great’ man and his murderous ambition. Where would the larger Europe be if France, Britain and the US had stayed put?

Rwanda Massacre

Colonel Muammar Gaddafi is one of those outdated species that find themselves into the 21st century against the wishes of many. It is unlikely that a child would turn against his father and criticise him. And Gaddafi is like a father to the Union.

But in essence, Gaddafi still believes that military power is everything, just like Hitler did. And since he wants to remain the strong king, he will do anything, in his own words, to remain in power.

Our own VP, who also criticised the West for ‘invading’ Libya, joins the likes of Yoweri Museveni and Robert Mugabe who oppose democracy in Africa.

Only President Paul Kagame of Rwanda seems to have learnt from experience and cited the Rwanda Massacre as his reason for supporting the West’s operation in Libya.

He pointed out that in Rwanda, our so-called "diplomatic" OAU watched mutely as millions were massacred. Its successor, the AU, is a similar toothless bulldog.

However, signs are that time is up for the despots of Africa. No longer will the world sit back as innocent people are butchered simply because one person wants to hold on to power till death.

This intervention to save lives from the fangs of despots cannot be mistaken for neocolonialism.

—The writer is an MA (International Relations) student at University of Nairobi.