The recent release of Bulgarian nurses (now christened "The Benghazi Six") who by design infected over 400 Libyan children with the HIV/Aids virus in a Benghazi based El Fath hospital raises disturbing questions: When does the rule of law apply? When it favors developed nations? Does the West uphold the rule of law? On the other hand, does Africa value its population the way the EU values its nationalities?

Bulgaria, the EU, US and Western based HIV/Aids advocates lobbied vigorously not to see justice done but rather to liberate the medics. They painted Libya as violating human rights; contravening the rule of law; exercising bad governance and reaping the fruits of its inefficient healthcare system.

Suppose a Libyan medic or any other African nationality deliberately infected European children with the HIV/Aids virus, what would have happened? Would he walk free? Two British soldiers, while on holiday in Tanzania, murdered a Tanzanian woman. Before they were arraigned in court, Tanzania, under pressure from Britain, set them free and allowed them to go home. Suppose Tanzanians had murdered a British woman in London, would they have been permitted to go scot free? Are Africans of less value? Where are our leaders when we, their subjects are faced with threatening situations? A Saudi diplomat who sexually abused his Tanzanian maidservant was unscathed on grounds of diplomatic immunity. Would the same apply if a Tanzanian raped a Saudi girl in Riyadh? Wouldn't the Tanzanian be beheaded?

When Libya pleaded that its two citizens implicated in the Lockerbie bombing be allowed to serve their jail sentence in Libya, didn't the EU refuse to listen? On 24th July, the Libyan government listened to the Bulgarian pleas to have the nurses complete their sentences in Bulgaria. Upon landing in Sofia, Georgi Parvanov, Bulgarian President, set them free unconditionally. The nurses are soon featuring in a Hollywood film depicting the "gross injustice" they suffered in Libya. What signal is Europe sending to the affected children, their parents, the Libyan government and Africa? That European lives are more precious than lives in third world countries?

To date the US dreads the idea of its citizens appearing before the international criminal court. Although it is horrified to see its citizens appear before a non-US jury, it does not hesitate to pursue arrest and lock up suspects from other nations with impunity. It does not give them a hearing. Even Zimbabwe and Libya, considered "rogue" states, at least arraign suspects in court for trial!

The EU has demonstrated that it loves its citizens above all other nationalities. It is pampering Libya to disregard the recent abuse. Meanwhile, the question is: Does Africa value its human capital like the EU? Can the AU question the international community's double standards? Can the AU push the agenda of African citizens within and beyond Africa's borders?