afrol News, 2 January - It is a known fact that the execution of Saddam Hussein, the ex-President of Iraq, may spark off angry reactions from the Muslim world. In particular in Nigeria, which has a long history of religious violence, authorities prepare to tackle potentially violent pro-Saddam protests.

Going by the country's numerous historic incidents of fatal religious protests in the past, the federal government of Nigeria wasted no time to beef up security patrols in the capital Abuja after rumours spilled that some Islamist groups were on the brink of protesting against Friday's execution of Saddam Hussein.

Lawrence Alobi, Commissioner of Police in Abuja, today said they did not want to take any chance for granted, which was why they intensified measures to counter any such protests in the country. So far, Abuja - with a predominantly Muslim population where fatal religious protests took place in the past - is said to be calm.

However, security men who are dressed in mufti are said to be deployed in all parts of the capital gathering intelligence information of any protest in the making. "All these are geared towards ensuing that security in the capital is not compromised or breached in any way," Commissioner Alobi said.

Meanwhile, the execution of the former Iraqi dictator has been condemned by leaders from all over Africa - either on the background of a general resistance to death penalties or due to earlier good relations to Saddam.

Ronnie Mamoepa, spokesperson of the South African Foreign Affairs Ministry, said Pretoria remained "convinced that his execution is not the panacea to the current political problems in Iraq but could fuel violence in an already volatile situation." Mr Mamoepa urged the US to hand over control of Iraq to the UN.

The strongest reactions to Saddam's execution came from Libya, where leader Muammar Ghaddafi strongly condemned his hanging of what he called a "prisoner of war". Mr Ghaddafi announced three days of mourning and cancelled national celebrations for Eid al-Adha, a major Muslim festive event.

In other North Africa countries, reactions were stronger among ordinary citizens than from government leaders. It was especially noted that Saddam was hanged on Eid al-Adha, a day during the Hajj that is especially devoted to forgiveness. Muslims on their religious pilgrimage in Mecca were especially critical of this timing.

From Zimbabwe, another US foe, condemnation was also fierce. "His execution will not solve anything,” said Zimbabwe's Minister of State for Public and Interactive Affairs, Chen Chimutengwende, who added that it was the Americans and not Iraqis who killed Saddam. “The execution will strengthen the fight against American imperialism and the Americans will be defeated."

In the majority of African countries, however, the hanging of Iraq's former dictator did not cause government reactions. Some Muslim organisations have reacted, but mostly to the timing of the execution. Some few demonstrations have been announced, such as by the East African Muslim Students' Federation, which unites Muslim students from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. Ugandan Muslim students, for example, plan a "peaceful demonstration" on Friday.

By staff writers

© afrol News

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