Aljamahiria News | Mandela & Gaddafi: A Brotherhood Forged in Struggle

2010 - “Those who feel irritated by our friendship with President Gaddafi can go jump in the pool.”
— Nelson Mandela

In one of his most famously defiant statements, Nelson Mandela defended his friendship with Libyan leader Muammar Al Gaddafi, reminding the world that loyalty in times of hardship is not negotiable. In Mandela’s view, Gaddafi was not just a political figure — he was a key ally in the long battle against apartheid.

Libya’s Role in Ending Apartheid

According to Mandela, the collapse of South Africa’s apartheid regime was made possible, in part, by the support of Libya and its people. Speaking publicly, he emphasized:

“In the darkest moments of our struggle, when our backs were to the wall, it was Muammar Qaddafi who stood with us.”

During the 1980s, when many nations distanced themselves from the African National Congress (ANC), Gaddafi offered military training, funding, and diplomatic support to help end the racist regime in Pretoria.

A Controversial Friendship

Mandela’s unwavering loyalty to Gaddafi did not sit well with Western governments. Nonetheless, he stood firm:

“Those who feel irritated by our friendship with President Gaddafi can go jump in the pool.”

Mandela visited Tripoli shortly after his 1990 release from prison and later welcomed Gaddafi to his 1994 presidential inauguration in South Africa. He even awarded Gaddafi the Order of Good Hope, one of the country’s highest civilian honors.

While critics accused Mandela of ignoring Gaddafi’s controversial international standing, Mandela countered by emphasizing gratitude over political convenience. For him, Gaddafi’s support during apartheid trumped later Western criticism.

A Legacy That Echoes Today

Mandela’s defense of Gaddafi wasn’t just about Libya — it was about the principles of loyalty, solidarity, and African unity. His message was clear: nations that supported liberation movements in Africa should not be abandoned when global narratives shift.

Today, Mandela’s stance is being revisited as Africa reconsiders its alliances and global position. His loyalty to Gaddafi underscores a deeper truth — that true friendships are forged in adversity, not headlines.

Mandela didn’t care about pleasing foreign capitals — he cared about justice. And when justice was in short supply, Muammar Al Gaddafi showed up. That, Mandela believed, should never be forgotten.

“The eventual collapse of the apartheid system owed much to the contribution of Muammar Qaddafi and the Libyan people.”