WHO WAS THE ‘LION OF THE DESERT’?

Have you heard of the Lion of the Desert? His name is Omar al-Mukhtar, a teacher turned general. He is a Libyan national hero and symbol of resistance against Italy’s fascist-inspired colonialism. Mukhtar fought in two wars against the Italians in Libya, as well as against French colonisation in Chad and the British occupation of Egypt.

African Stream’s Ahmed Ghoneim profiles Mukhtar, telling the story of this hero’s struggle to free his native Libya and how, against all odds, he refused to give up.

As he once uttered, ‘We do not surrender—we win or die… and I’ll live more than my hanger.’ Indeed, his legacy is revered today.

Let us know in the comments of other African revolutionary heroes you’d like to see us include in our new series, ‘Decolonised Minds.’