THE POST-FALL OF GADDAFI AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE REGION

Running Head: THE POST-FALL OF GADDAFI AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE REGION
Conflict in Libya
Student’s Name:
Institution:
Course Details:
Instructor’s Name:
Date Submitted:
Summary
He ruled Libya for more than 42 years in what many have described as a dictatorship, bent on the use of terror to invoke respect amongst his subjects. The main man is none other than Muammar Gaddafi, the eccentric leader, finally brought down by an overwhelming resistance that sparked civil war in Libya for over six months since the early beginnings of 2011. Whilst in power, Gaddafi is known to have colluded with the military more often than not, to assist in the retention of power, in a perfect despotic dynasty style, characteristic of most Arab states especially in the recent past (Muzaffar,2011). It is this inherent attitude towards humanity and democracy in general, that has in many times, both in the past and even recently, escalated international calls for new leadership in Libya. Considering the fact that Libya is one of the main suppliers of crude oil in the world, Gadaffi has had in many times, the final say and suffice to say, the final laugh.
However, after his capture and eventually humiliating and torturous death, the Gadaffi era has finally bowed out and in its wake, left a giant vacuum in the sahel-saharan region (Tisseron, 2011). Of importance, is the realization by the international community, especially the United States, whose interests in Libya go way back to the Reagan administration, to effectively administer the return to rule of law in Libya and restore democratic sanity across the whole region in general, bearing in mind that Libya is an economic powerhouse in the region. Can Libya’s emerging leaders, downplay the fact that they are Islamists and embrace a more westernized administration? Wouldn’t it be more dangerous if after the death of Gadaffi, Libya’s situation escalated into anarchy which would in effect, give space for terror outfits such as Al-Qaeda to flourish? These are some of the questions that will be discussed broadly in addressing the Libyan conflict as well as providing key advice on the best course of action.
Background of the Conflict
It is a fact, and one that has very strong support, that the conflict in Libya though only manifesting itself after a sizeable population of Libya rebelled against Gaddafi’s rule, is his own making. Gadaffi is the main cause for the conflict and indeed his own death, according to Muzaffar (2011). Until 1969, Libya was a monarchy headed by King Idris. However, in 1969, a revolutionary coup headed by Gadaffi succeeded in ousting his regime and in its absence, installed a new type of regime, after declaring Libya a free nation. Upon the formation of the Libyan Arab Republic, Gadaffi declared that the nation’s leadership would endeavor to promote and pursue social justice, freedom, and unity for all Libyan people. However, he quickly deviated from this declaration, imposing and autocratic style of leadership that made many young Libyan’s, detest his administration.
Gadaffi was to create a state of wanton destruction of lives especially for those who opposed his leadership. In 1973, he introduced the people’s authority, a style of governmen...