Rabat – Since the 2011 revolution that led to the death of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, the North African state has been in a state of instability and conflict.
Between political power struggles, the rise of violent groups all over the country, and both direct and indirect interference from regional and international powers, the country has become a breeding ground for various terrorist and violent groups.
It is often the period of democratic transition that makes or breaks the state’s political union and strength, following a change in power as radical as that of Libya’s.
Evidently, in this case, it did not go as smoothly as the various parties involved might have anticipated.
The roots of the modern Libyan conflict emerged when the attempted democratic transition spiraled out of control, with armed groups around the country taking control of economic assets, building support bases, and gaining control over cities and regions.
Currently, the country is in the midst of a political deadlock as two rival figures compete for political control over the government.
Here are the most significant recent developments:
– Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, head of the UN-backed Government of National Unity (GNU), was tasked with overseeing national elections in the country in 2021.
– The elections were originally planned for December, but the vote was canceled following disputes over the candidates and electoral laws. Dbeibah’s failure to manage the election was followed by the Tobruk-based House of Representatives appointing Fathi Bashagha as the new prime minister.
– While Bashagha called for a transition from Dbeibah “to open a new chapter,” the latter refused to be replaced, proclaiming that he would only hand power to an elected government.
– Bashagha also survived an assassination attempt in February 2021, as gunmen attacked his convoy in the capital.
– Dbeibah warned against violence and chaos if a new prime minister is named and he is not allowed to resume his duties. But eastern-based legislators have argued that his time as an interim leader ended on December 24, the date the elections were initially set to occur.
– The UN and Western powers have called for Dbeibah to stay on as leader of the GNU and oversee the elections, and they still recognize him as interim prime minister. UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric also said that the special adviser in Libya Stephanie Williams was in Tripoli talking with stakeholders to facilitate an agreement.
– As for Morocco, the country has been playing the role of mediator in the conflict. Recently, senior officials from the Libyan House of Representatives, and Libya’s High Council of State met in Morocco to discuss the country’s political dialogue and a draft constitution.
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