Libyan Ambassador to Ghana, Sallah Koni Mustafa, has accused the media of exaggerating reports of slave trade in Libya.
According to him, although the North African nation has some human rights challenges, the reports only appear to highlight the ills of the country neglecting the positive stories.
Footage of men being auctioned off as slaves in Libya has been met with outrage and the UN Secretary-General has called on the international community to “unite in fighting this scourge.”
The horrible images show some migrants being sold for $400 while others are tortured to death by individuals in Libyan military wears.
In the grainy mobile footage, unidentified men are offered up as a group of “big strong boys for farm work”.
The film was obtained by CNN journalists, who later witnessed another sale of a dozen men in a courtyard outside the country’s capital, Tripoli.
After the footage emerged, protests erupted in Paris and other cities, while Libyans expressed solidarity with the victims with the hashtag #LibyansAgainstSlavery.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Starr News Mr Koni Mustafa said the Libyan authorities will investigate and punish whoever is involved in the human trade.
“Our government has started investigations into the issue, the credibility of these reports and those behind it, those involved so that they will be prosecuted and they will be punished accordingly. The media reportage and the exaggerations thereafter are not needed,” he noted.
He continued: “We have always said that Libya is an African country, Libyans are not racists, Libya is Africa and Libyans are Africans. Why is it that the media is always narrowing its scope. For instance, there are thousands of people who are currently working in Libya, who are gainfully employed in Libya working in dignity without any form of harassment but the media is not reporting that.”
Source: Today Newspaper
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***barred word***
What else can you say as an Ambassador? You will surely defend your people and I am not surprised that you are just like them. Who doesn't know that the stories we hear about the atrocities are real and we don't need your intervention to vary the stories. Your people are sadists, racists and wicked! It's unfortunate you belong to this part of the globe and you share the continent with us! This the reason the Caucasians hate you to the core and you try to visit their hatred for you on us! We that the CNN and others for the exposure and we shall advise ourselves. I think you must be thinking about informing your government that your stay here is not useful and they must reassign you!
The media is not exaggerating. You are rather trying to downplay the babaric activities of your people. In one breath you say you've initiated investigations into the incident, in another breath you suggest you have enough details to to tell the media are exaggerating! Go tell your story to the marines.
The people are so barbaric , killing people from other race like killing fowls. Why the hell should I even go to Dubai?
Have u seen how stuppppid, senseless and selfish some blacks could be?? Cos of what this nincompooooop and his family will eat he's defending these barbaric act perpetrated by this smelliinggg arabs. He should go back and watch the videos and the pictures since he hasnt seen any and talking trasssh abt the media. Had it not been cnn who would've known the magnitude of the situation in Libya. For a while i thought ghana had no ambassador to Libya, unfortunately we do.Wat a shame!!
The libyans are doing exactly what we are seeing in the images and the videos .. the media is not exaggerating .. Lybyans are violentt and wickedd creatures .. no African country will do this wicked act to his African neighbor ... Isiss people violentt people .. Ambassador dont support your people about this act
Masa, even if one Ghanaian dies we must be worried. what are you talking about.
Sallah Koni Mustafa, Ony3 saaaww!!!!
Aah, what is this man talking about? who is exaggerating what? Has he seen the pictures and videos himself? Please, be serious.
what is this ambassador saying..........that Libyans are Africans,so is that the best way to treat an African brother?hmmmmmm Libya i think Gaddafis departure has left the entire Libyan country to ***barred word***.we dont need you to share in our grief.#LIBYA- ***barred word*** -COUNTRY.