Former Abia State Governor and senator, Orji Uzor Kalu, has revealed that he sold arms to the late Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, and anti-apartheid fighters in South Africa.
Kalu made the revelation while recounting his past business dealings and involvement in transactions linked to the liberation struggle in southern Africa.
The former governor’s remarks have sparked interest, given the historical significance of Libya’s involvement in supporting liberation movements across Africa during Gaddafi’s rule.
South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle, which eventually led to the end of white-minority rule in 1994, received support from several African countries and international allies.
Libya, under Gaddafi, was among the countries known for providing political, financial and military assistance to liberation movements across the continent.
Kalu’s claim about selling arms to Gaddafi and anti-apartheid fighters raises questions about the nature, scale and circumstances of the transactions he described.
However, further details about when the alleged transactions took place, the type of weapons involved and the organisations or individuals through which the deals were conducted were not immediately available.
Gaddafi ruled Libya from 1969 until his overthrow and death in 2011 during the country’s uprising, which was part of the wider Arab Spring.
Kalu, who served as governor of Abia State from 1999 to 2007, is currently a senator representing Abia North Senatorial District.
His latest revelation is likely to renew discussions about the role of African business figures and political actors in the continent’s historical liberation movements.
