Spring has already begun, but summer hasn’t arrived yet for the Arab countries. While Libya reached a decisive turning point of its history, by the decline of the dictator Muammar Gaddafi, What is the scenario that may be in the offing for that African country?
Alain Soulard, politics professor and analyst
Alain Soulard, politics professor and politics analyst in his spare time, believes that Libya can get its act together if a « considerable common effort » is favored for the unity of the country, and only in the long term.
Q1 On the political level, how did the acts of violence, committed by Muammar Gaddafi and his troops, affect the Libyan people?
Gaddafi’s reign isn’t quite heaven nor hell. Sure, the man is a leader who disregarded human rights and started civil wars, but he also made the country go ahead in a certain direction, particularly by maintaining a certain unity and by allowing women to obtain more rights. Overall, Libya, in 2011, is definitely better than how it was at the beginning of Gaddafi’s mandate despite what we know today about his acts.
Q2 Is the death of the dictator Gaddafi a preferable outcome to his detention for the victims?
Personally, I consider that it would have been preferable to set up a trial. The man would have been judged according to the habits and customs of democratic societies. However, his death and the mystery that surrounds it lead to an antidemocratic outcome that questions that society that aspires to “rebuild” itself.
Q3 Do you think that violence marks found on Gaddafi’s corpse are liable to tarnish the rebels’ reputation?
It is certainly a blemish on their record. Where are the respect and democratic process in the accused behavior? If the National Transitional Council tolerates this type of actions, I will start thinking that this civil war changed nothing at all.
Q4 Do you agree with the United Nations’ departure from the country? Why?
I am totally opposed to that departure. The first moments of the new free Libya are decisive and the people need to be supervised. It would have been preferable if UN counselors stayed to help, particularly on the economical and political levels. Democracy is acquired with supervision, tries and certain cultural norms.
Q5 Should we fear acts of reprisal between rebels and pro Gaddafi groups again?
Acts of violence will stop, eventually. In the meantime, we have to hope that the natural vindictive human reflex would turn to reconciliation. When notice that ethnic genocides such as in Tawargha still rage, we see that there is still a long road ahead, unfortunately.
Q6 How is a return to the balance possible in the country?
In the long term, the objective is achievable. The major problem affects the question of succession. With Libya being much divided, I only wish that every tribe benefits from it. There’s a lot of work to be done concerning the establishment of laws, because each clan may want to impose its ideology. Yet, the country has to avoid being fragmented and should rather look for unity. In Libya, time has come for sharing and reconciliation. All inhabitants must “pull together in the same direction”.
Q7 What political advice would you give to the Libyan people during the next elections?
People have to take benefit from public consultations, and mustn’t hesitate to tell their opinion when the moment comes. Politics are no divine structure; it is a human structure in which mobilization is necessary to make things move forward. The interest for reconstruction and the image of the new Libya should be in the center of the people’s concern. “They have to walk the talk”.
Q8 What type of personality should the future official leaders of the country have?
Leaders that embrace the same values of unity and renewal than the Libyan will be needed. Ideally, I would see a moderate centrist person on the political level. Leaders would do well to be educated and open to the world. While keeping a sense of traditions, these people would have a strong interest in having an overall young and modern view.
The history of the Libyan civil war of 2011
Demands :Mainly a better democracy and equity of wealthMain instigating cities of the revolutionary movement: El Beïda, Darnha et Benghazi
Conflict’s chronology :
February 15th: Beginning of the conflict, which starts a civil
February 16th: Bloody conflict between rebels and the government’s militia
March 17th: Authorization of air strikes by the UN Security Council against Gaddafi’s troops
March 19th: International coalition for the protection of the Libyan people
Late august: Occupation of Tripoli and flight of Muammar Gaddafi
October 20th: The last Gaddafi’s bastion falls in the hands of the National Transitional Council and Gaddafi is killed in Syrte
October 23rd: End of the civil war that lasted for eight months and liberation of Libya.
«Democracy isn’t a pill one can order at a drugstore and that takes effect immediately. »
- Alain Soulard
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