A neighbour’s reflection on Libya

As most foreign governments are scrambling back to Tripoli to obtain a share of the bounty the country has to offer, life for the local Libyans is far from normal. The National Transitional Council may have won most battles against the Muammar Gaddafi regime. However, so long as Col Gaddafi remains on the run peace and stability in the country will be continuously challenged.

The turn of events since February 17 has crafted a long path towards democratisation of the nation. Libya is no longer the Libya we knew just eight months ago. Neither are the majority of Libyans who remained in their country to fight with their lives the same people of eight months ago. The turn of events that catapulted them into this de facto civil war happened so fast that once the chain of events was put into motion there was no stopping it.

Way back in February, both the Libyan nation and its people were not physically prepared for such a massive overhaul of its political system. Maybe it was a remote dream of a number of individuals but suddenly such a dream was becoming a reality for those people who craved change but never knew how to obtain it. The turn of events which occurred on February 17 took everyone by surprise. It surprised the Libyan people themselves who so heroically defended their basic human rights with their own lives. No logical-minded individual would have ever thought that the Libyan people would have ever garnered the courage to rise up against their leader and yet they did.

Our Libyan neighbours had had enough of being ruled by one tyrant and his entire family and close accolades. Enough was enough! Seemingly infected by the unfolding events in neighbouring Tunisia and Egypt, the spirit of the internet Arab Spring revolution caught on and spread. An international network was set into motion and in a matter of days local Libyans as well as some Libyans living abroad rallied together in their native country to fight the biggest battle of their lives. A great number of them sacrificing their own lives for the country they love and which legitimately belongs to them and their children but of which they never felt part. Hopefully, their ultimate sacrifice would not have been in vain.

Rising up against a tyrant like Col Gaddafi took courage but the courage was motivated by the ideal of democracy in their country. Libya is one of the richest countries in the world and yet the wealth of its country was not distributed among its people but controlled by one family. How long can one keep suppressing its people and rule by fear?

My family and I have experienced travelling around Libya. Our travels proved to be a revelation. From our first visit my initial unfounded prejudices were immediately overcome. The wonderful hospitality shown to us by the Libyans we met was overwhelming. However, there is a great deal more than just warmth and hospitality. Libya boasts of countless tourist attractions namely, incredible historical Roman ruins overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, the cave dwellings around Gharyan and Gebel Nafusa, as well as the Unesco-protected city of Ghaddames.

One of our adventurous journeys took us south into the deep Sahara desert and left imprinted upon us an experience of a lifetime. The desert mass is infinite and the natural beauty that we witnessed down south will remain with us forever. The highland range of Messak Settafet south of Sebha towards the Acacus mountains, hosting prehistoric rock art, was a feast to our eyes in the endless sea of sand we found ourselves in. The friendly and learned Berber and Tuareg guides we were provided with guided us in our limited time only through a fraction of the Sahara desert. Their vast knowledge and feel for the desert allowed us the privilege of the thrill of travelling through the myriad sand dunes with which no roller coaster ride can ever compare.

The Tuareg people are true nomads of the desert whether on a four-wheeler, riding on camel or walking barefoot. This same wilderness of the Sahara we experienced is in fact the remaining Libyan terrain wherefrom Col Gaddafi will most likely be waging his last offensive. This is a geographical area which is very well known to Col Gaddafi and his tribal allies and foremost of all to the Tuareg people whose desert skills are unparalleled.

Libya’s land mass is vast with its population concentrated north of the Sahara. If Col Gaddafi has the backing of the powerful Tuareg tribes, NTC’ s battle in the desert against him will not be on the same “warring” field as waging battles in towns and cities.

The international media has speculated that the final battle by the NTC will be with the desert tribes. If the desert tribes agree to hand over Col Gaddafi, then NTC could truly say they have won and ousted Col Gaddafi, but until then the NTC can expect any reprisal under any form and guise.

Once Col Gaddafi is out of the way, quo vadis Libya?

On the one hand you have all the powers that be scrambling for the bounty that Libya offers in various degrees and forms.

At this early stage of political reform Libyans will still need the foreign manpower to help grease the wheels of its thriving economy but with a new democratic Libya the Libyan people will now be more motivated than ever before to take on certain tasks by themselves.

The road to a physical as well as mental recovery of Libya will take a generation or two but the end of the road ahead for every common Libyan is worth the long and arduous task ahead.

The NTC is made up of a multitude of factions and fractions, with each faction striving for the high seat of power. But who in reality makes up the NTC? As we are now learning it is made up of varied factions and power bases. Ideally, these factions will become future political parties in the process for free elections.

But are free elections what most factions want when they know they are indeed a minority. In spite of who or what they represent the people of Libya must learn how to choose a secular government by themselves.

I do believe that for democracy to thrive in Libya in the future the democratic process of free elections has to be understood and wanted by all its people. If this basic democratic process is not understood then the whole process of freeing Libya from Col Gaddafi is defeated since one despotic family will only be replaced by another despotic family. Until the spirit of true democracy is understood by all the beneficiaries of the Arab Spring a great deal of blood still remains to be spilled.