Partner Tom McDonald, Head of Baker Hostetler’s Government Policy Practice Group and member of the firmwide Policy Committee, the firm’s governing body, was interviewed by BBC WorldNews on September 1, 2011, about the African Union’s refusal to recognize Libya’s transitional council. McDonald is also a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations and former U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe under President Clinton.
McDonald was jointly interviewed with Dr. Chris Landsberg from the University of Johannesburg. The interview began with Landsberg addressing South African President Jacob Zuma’s frustration regarding international recognition of Libya’s transitional council. Landsberg believes NATO’s actions and call for regime change in Libya ignored Africa’s dissenting opinion.
The interviewer says this might look like Western imperialism, but McDonald disagreed. He stated there was nothing left to be done except call for regime change because Gaddafi was murdering his own people in addition to creating much mischief in Africa. McDonald believes NATO did a terrific job in Libya, and he feels Libya’s transitional council should be supported by the international community as NATO wants to work with the African Union and President Zuma.
McDonald went on to point out that Gaddafi was a particularly troublesome and disruptive figure for Africa as he propped up Zimbabwe’s “smart and evil dictator,” Robert Mugabe, when he was abusing his own people. McDonald also stated that Gaddafi supplied weaponry throughout the continent.
McDonald concluded by saying he welcomed the departure of Gaddafi. He recognized Africa’s great leadership and believes Libya’s liberation is an opportunity for Africa to start fresh.
Video of McDonald Interview