Mu'ammar Gaddafi and Nelson Mandela shared a close and enduring friendship, rooted in their shared ideology of anti-colonialism and African unity, despite the many differences in their leadership styles and how they were viewed by the international community. Libya's Gaddafi provided financial and military support to Mandela's African National Congress (ANC) during its struggle against apartheid.
During the apartheid era, when many Western nations supported the South African apartheid government and labeled Mandela a terrorist, Gaddafi gave the ANC military and financial aid. Mandela never forgot this support, often stating, "In the darkest moments of our struggle, when our backs were to the wall, Muammar Gaddafi stood with us."
After his release from prison in 1990, one of Mandela's first foreign visits was to Libya to thank Gaddafi in person. He referred to Gaddafi as a "brother leader."
Mandela steadfastly defended his relationship with Gaddafi, despite strong criticism from the United States and other Western nations, who viewed Gaddafi as a pariah and alleged his government sponsored terrorism. To his critics, Mandela retorted: "Those who yesterday were friends of our enemies have the gall today to tell me not to visit my brother Gaddafi."
In 1997, as President of South Africa, Mandela bestowed upon Gaddafi the "Order of Good Hope," the highest South African honor at the time, for his support of the liberation struggle.
In short, their relationship was built on gratitude and a commitment to African solidarity rather than ideological agreement, highlighting Mandela's principle of not abandoning those who helped his people in their fight for freedom.