The fall of Muammar Gaddafi and the transformations in Libya. Transformations in Libya

The conflict in Libya was probably the one that had the most repercussions during the period of the Arab revolts. Dictator Muammar Gaddafi, who has been in power since 1969, did not accept the demonstrations against keeping him in power and the country it ended up being divided, as part of the army remained loyal to the dictator and the insurgents were fragmented into different ethnicities. The biggest divergences were between the regions of Bengazhi, which concentrates a good part of Libya's oil reserves and it was the cradle of the rebels, and Tripoli, the country's capital and place of organization of official troops and supporters of Gaddafi.

The protests started in February 2011. As early as March, a UN Resolution was approved that justified foreign intervention in the country in defense of the civilian population in order to prevent a massacre. With this, NATO, a military treaty created by the United States, organized a coalition against the Gaddafi regime, led by North Americans, British and French. The Europeans' interest in breaking with the previously well-liked Muammar Gaddafi in order to maintain their trade agreements (Libya is an important oil supplier to Europe) was clear.

Between February and August 2011 at least 50,000 people died in a typical civil war situation. Gaddafi received international sanctions and was convicted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, when there are violations of human rights, massacres, rapes and so on. atrocities. The dictator announced that he would resist to the end, but his whereabouts, at the end of August, were unknown once the rebels took over Tripoli and began to resume oil production from some areas that were immobilized. Shortly thereafter, in October, Gaddafi was killed and his body exposed for visitation.

The country came to be governed by the CNT (National Transitional Council), responsible for reorganizing Libya's democratic institutions, and was monitored by the UN and NATO. Western authorities are still fearful of possible tribal warfare, particularly between Berber, Arab and Tuareg groups, or even radicalization by Islamic militias.

In February 2012 municipal elections were held and in July 2012 the first parliamentary elections since 1964, which pointed to the victory of the Liberals of the National Force Alliance party and the removal of Islamic factions from the leadership of the parliament Libyan.

It remains to be seen what will be the political direction of Libya after all these transformations. The country has ethnic differences, which can create regional political factions and impede the development of a nation project. Without ever having experienced full democracy, the moment is one of euphoria, but there is a climate of distrust on the part of the population in relation to the new government. The biggest questions reside in the goals of Libyan democracy: to serve its population or simply to please the economic partners of the West? This answer is most likely the main one among the numerous challenges that Libya will face in the coming years.


Julio César Lázaro da Silva
Brazil School Collaborator
Graduated in Geography from Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP
Master in Human Geography from Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP

Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/geografia/a-queda-muamar-kadhafi-as-transformacoes-na-libia.htm

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