written by Reyhan Guner printable version send your friend

Saturday, 18 February 2012

Last year, Libyan revolution that began with the inspiration got from Egyptian revolution was the most popular top-topic of world media, because recent rebellion acts and conflicts organized by civilians and pervading over the Arab region are both unprecedented and swift. Revolutions have resonated with world leaders owing to the human rights violations in the region and the insistence of the dictators such as Mubarak and Qaddafi to stay in authority even the masses’ eager to dismiss them. In Libya, rebel acts and protests of civilian opponents ended with the Qaddafi’s lynch by Libyan opponents seeing him as a dictator. After Qaddafi’s eventful death, a new age for Libya was started with great expectations even shadowed by the suspicions about who will rule over this suffering country. Already, things did not occur as Libyan people dreamed and screamed during weeks in the squares with heart and soul.

Today one year after revolution, Libyan people under militaristic oppression are not in a better position than Qaddafi’s duration. The transition process of Libya is continuing via a grueling process caused by clashes between different interest groups to take the authority of the country and rebellious Libyans were still in the ‘victim class’ of the country. Military that is getting out of control gradually leads to conflict between tribes aiming to have more voice and control over Libya. As a country in Arab region, Libya comprised of many strong tribes both politically and militarily powerful. If it is considered that the most efficient tribe has been Qaddafi’s one since 1960s and Qaddafi’s assassination was an insulting event for this esteemed tribe, it can be demonstrated that a close contest will be in sight for the revenge. Actually, the recent events between the borders of Libya, Egypt, Chad and Sudan confirm this estimation. Tribal fighting in the southeastern part of this disappointed country comprised of many strong tribes has left over thirty dead in the last four days. Tribes contain over 100.000 armed men into several hundred separate groups. Many of these groups are formed by a few dozen local men with some weapons and a so-called leader, while some have over thousands of armed men with heavy weapons and military supplies. Especially the well-organized ones such as Qaddafi’s are threatening the internal security of the country via tribal fighting and cause fear among Libyan people. [1]

Another problem threatening the security of the country is the detainees dead after being tortured for a long period by the many militias running law and order in Libya. Recent dead of twelve detainees got the attention of Amnesty International. Report of Amnesty on detainees, especially the political ones as old supporters of Qaddafi released how militias in Libya are largely out of control and the blanket impunity they enjoy only encourages further abuses and perpetuates instability and insecurity.[2] During the rebellions, opponents have claimed that up to 50.000 people imprisoned by Qaddafi regime were missing, but Libyans are questioning what happened to many detainees imprisoned from Qaddafi’s crafts. [3] According to report of Amnesty, detainees claim that they are being tortured with cables, chains, plastic pipes and electroshock guns which remind the times of Qaddafi sovereignty. There are still thousands of unregistered detainees in Misrata and Tripoli whose circumstances are not known. When the executions of detainees are combined with the distrust of Libyans against political parties, it can be easily revealed that there are worse day coming for Libya in the future.

In the first anniversary of revolution in Libya, one Libyan in three wants return to authoritarian rule, despite of the thousands of deaths in revolution against Qaddafi, according to a study published by the Institute of Human Sciences at the University of Oxford. [4] It is crystal clear that people did not scream in the squares solely for dismiss of Qaddafi. The main reason of rebellions is to have a more stable, prosperous, socially equal and democratic Libya. Right now, the so-called democratic Libya without an authoritarian ruler but with unreliable political parties cannot come up to Libyans’ expectations. Therefore, it seems like Arab Spring turns into an Arab Winter for Libya.



References:

[1] Strategy Page, “Taming the Tribes”, Retrieved on 16/2/2012; from the website; http://www.strategypage.com/qnd/libya/articles/20120216.aspx

[2] Gulf News, “Libyan Militias Commit War Crimes, Amnesty Says”, Retrieved on 16/2/2012; from the website; http://gulfnews.com/news/region/libya/libyan-militias-commit-war-crimes-amnesty-says-1.981803

 [3] The Telegraph, “Libya: Up To 50.000 People Imprisoned by Gaddafi Regime Are Missing, Rebel Claim”, Retrieved on 28/8/2011; from the website; http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8728537/Libya-Up-to-50000-people-imprisoned-by-Gaddafi-regime-are-missing-rebels-claim.html

 [4] The Independent, “One Libyan in Three Wants Return to Authoritarian Rule”, Retrieved on 16/2/2012; from the website; http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/one-libyan-in-three-wants-return-to-authoritarian-rule-6950631.html