In 2008, during a regional summit in Damascus, Muammar Gaddafi, the then-Libyan leader, delivered a chilling warning to his fellow Arab leaders. But few would have seen through it, actually few appeared to believe it.
Known for his fiery rhetoric, Gaddafi’s remarks that day would later resonate as a grim prophecy.
Referencing the execution of Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, Gaddafi said, “The turn will come to each of you. They will come for you. What happened to Saddam awaits you, too.”
As the camera panned in the conference room, then Egyptian strongman Hosni Mubarak and Syria's Bashar al-Assad were captured laughing off the remarks.
WATCH:
This is what was said and the reactions it triggered pic.twitter.com/ekxgv3Bt3k
— Albert Rudatsimburwa 🇷🇼 (@albcontact) December 9, 2024
Gaddafi’s statement was not just a commentary on Saddam’s fate but a broader critique of Arab leadership's vulnerabilities and the role of foreign influence, particularly that of the US, in their eventual downfalls.
"Why not the whole Arab leadership kill each other and see what happens?" he questioned, reflecting his deep skepticism about the region’s unity and stability.
Three years after this warning, the Arab Spring of 2011 brought about seismic changes across the Middle East. Gaddafi himself became a victim of the turmoil he foresaw.
After 42 years in power, his regime collapsed amid a civil war fueled by NATO intervention. Gaddafi was captured and killed on October 20, 2011, by rebel forces in his hometown of Sirte.
Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, who reportedly laughed off Gaddafi’s remarks during the Damascus summit, was ousted during the Arab Spring after 30 years of rule.
Protests demanding political reform and an end to corruption culminated in Mubarak’s resignation on February 11, 2011. Though he peacefully stepped down, his later years were marred by trials and imprisonment.
Similarly, Bashar al-Assad of Syria, also present at the summit, has seen his country descend into chaos. Reports now suggest that Assad has fled to Moscow, with Russia granting him asylum.
His departure leaves Syria in political uncertainty, mirroring the instability that has plagued other fallen Arab leaders.
At the 2008 summit, Gaddafi accused the US of destabilising the region through shifting alliances. He referenced the US’s former ties with Saddam Hussein, noting how these relationships were eventually abandoned, leading to Saddam’s downfall.
"America fought with him against Khomeini. He was their friend, but they sold him out and killed him,” Gaddafi asserted. He expressed a broader mistrust of US intentions, warning his fellow leaders: “Even if you are America’s friends, we are also America’s friends. But we all agree—America might kill us one day.”
The parallels between Saddam Hussein’s demise, Mubarak’s ousting, and Assad’s weakened regime underline Gaddafi’s ominous foresight.
Saddam was captured, tried, and executed in 2006 after nearly 24 years in power, his regime toppled during the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
Mubarak's fall followed a wave of protests during the Arab Spring, while Assad's precarious position reflects Syria's prolonged instability.
The fall of Arab leaders was not limited to the trio. Mohamed Morsi, Egypt's first democratically elected president who replaced Mubarak, was overthrown in a military coup led by General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in July 2013. His brief rule was marked by deep political divisions and protests.
Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia, fled to Saudi Arabia in January 2011 following widespread protests that marked the start of the Arab Spring. His departure ended 23 years of rule, and Tunisia transitioned towards democracy.
Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen was ousted in February 2012 after months of protests and pressure from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) mediation. He later became involved in Yemen’s civil war and was killed in 2017 during clashes with Houthi forces.
Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria resigned in April 2019 after mass protests known as the Hirak Movement and pressure from the military. He had clung to power despite years of ill health and public dissatisfaction.
Omar al-Bashir of Sudan, who had ruled since 1989, was ousted in April 2019 following months of protests against his rule, primarily driven by economic hardship and authoritarian governance. The military took over after his removal.
Gaddafi’s warning, dismissed as dramatic by some at the time, now serves as a haunting reminder of the volatility that has defined the Arab world’s political landscape.
The downfall of these leaders underscores how foreign intervention, internal dissent, and leadership missteps have reshaped the region, leaving Gaddafi’s prophecy as a cautionary tale for those in power.