Todd Robinson, deputy assistant secretary at the US State Department’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs agency. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

From a brutal, centralised regime to a country with multiple power centres, Libya’s transition to democracy is still a dream.

With security largely in the hands of regional and tribal militias, the central government is weak, constantly struggling to exert control over most of the country.

The volatility of the situation came to the fore last October when the Libyan prime minister was kidnapped from his Tripoli hotel by armed militiamen and released a couple of hours later.

But the instability comes as no surprise to Todd Robinson, deputy assistant secretary at the US State Department’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs agency.

Mr Robinson believes what is happening in Libya is the result of an ongoing debate between the multitude of power centres that emerged after the removal of a brutal regime that centralised power.

These power centres are trying to find a working relationship between themselves, he says.

“It’s not going to be pretty but democracy is not pretty... it requires hard work.”

Mr Robinson is in Malta for a two-day workshop organised by the US agency for law enforcement agencies from Libya, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt and Yemen.

The agency’s work is to provide expertise, offer guidance and help the law enforcement agencies from these countries share their experiences.

He insists the US will not impose its views and the help being offered was requested by the respective countries.

“We can offer guidance and professionals at various levels, from prison management to community policing to strengthening the justice system, but ultimately the countries have to find their own solutions,” he says.

Mr Robinson argues it is wrong to lump all the countries touched by the Arab Spring into one basket.

They are all at different stages of development and each have their specific needs.

Back to the Libya conundrum, he says its society is evolving and the power centres that developed after Muammar Gaddafi’s fall are trying to fit into the political, social and economic structures.

“Libyans ask themselves whether they should be ruled by the centre again or have some form of decentralised power.

“It is a debate and the role of the West and the international community is to help them make decisions in a non-violent way to create a secure environment.”

Mr Robinson disagrees with the argument that the international community abandoned Libya after Nato’s intervention helped rebels depose the regime in 2011.

“The US, the EU and other partners have been offering help, guidance and support to the Libyans to try and make it work,” he says.

Mr Robinson notes that criminal organisations have taken advantage of the turmoil created by the transitional period. The flow of firearms, the smuggling of goods and people, and drug trafficking have all been on the rise.

Democracy is not pretty... it requires hard work

In some cases religious extremists and militants are taxing the criminal networks by offering protection and transport services, he says. This activity raises money, which is used to buy arms and bribe government officials.

These are issues of concern for the US and other Western countries because crime has an impact outside Libya’s borders.

But it is not just getting the right manpower with the correct skills set that counts. Mr Robinson says human rights are an important part of the wider picture.

The tools offered by the US agency are wide ranging and include law drafting and proper justice administration.

However, he acknowledges that the underlying principles have to be economic growth, job creation and education.

“Unless people harbour hope for the future, they become easy prey to criminal networks,” he says.

ksansone@timesofmalta.com