The appearance of Seif al-Islam Kadhafi, free for the first time since the fall of his late father's regime in 2011 and the announcement of his wish to return to political life are likely to make a Libyan scene even more complicated, already in crisis for a decade, and this could embroil the country in yet another more destructive war.
Indeed, 10 years after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime, Libya is divided between an east controlled by the retired general, Khalifa Haftar, and a west dominated by armed militias, mainly the militias of Misrata, led by Fethi. Bachagha, former Minister of the Interior in the Consensus government (2016-2021).
Seif al-Islam presents itself as a third option to reunite a country torn apart by civil war and the collapse of its economy, although Libya has the largest oil reserves in Africa.
Supported by sympathizers and with funds: he wants to regain power
What raised the most controversy in his interview published by the American newspaper is that Seif al-Islam has not changed one iota, expressing no remorse, when he believes the time has come to to establish the era of the “Green Book” dear to his late father.
Gaddafi’s son believes that “Libyan politicians have brought nothing but desolation and misery to the country and that the time has come to reconnect with the past, as Libya is on its knees, without security and money. There is no more life here ”.
From this tragic analysis of the situation which reigns in the country, the son of Gaddafi presents himself as “savior, who wants to resuscitate the lost unity”.
Although Seif al-Islam Gaddafi did not announce his candidacy for the next Presidential election on December 24, 2021, the fact remains that his representatives at the Political Dialogue Forum had fought, in coordination with Haftar’s support, for cancel any condition imposed on candidates for the ballot.
Among the conditions that hinder his candidacy, is the judicial decision which is not yet final, rendered against him by a court in Tripoli in 2015, which orders his execution by bullets, as well as his extradition is required by the Criminal Court. International (ICC) for having perpetrated crimes against humanity.
Despite this, Gaddafi son is convinced of his capacities and aptitudes to overcome legal obstacles and his supporters have taken the initiative to launch support campaigns on social networks, since November 2020.
Indeed, ten years after the launch of the revolution have not made it possible to erase the traces of 40 years of unchallenged power of Gaddafi and his sons. Libyan towns and tribes publicly show their support for Gaddafi, like the Kedhedhfa, M’guerha and Werfella tribes deployed, among others, in the cities of Sirte (west), Béni Walid (Center) and from Sebha (South).
Likewise, Ahmed Guedaf al-Dam, cousin of Seif al-Islam, who currently resides in Egypt, provides him with financial support, since he has great wealth and leads the “National Militantism” party. “.
Moreover, and although the security militias set up by Muammar Gaddafi to support and protect his regime, were dismantled after the revolution, the protagonists of the conflict nevertheless resorted to these militias to integrate them into their military units and the majority of them are currently fighting in the ranks of Haftar’s militias.
The newspaper “The New York Times” reported, according to opinion polls, that 57% of the inhabitants of a single region (without quoting it) expressed their confidence which they place in the person of Seif al-Islam Gaddafi. .
The American newspaper also quoted a Libyan lawyer who indicated that her unofficial work carried out to measure public opinion revealed that 8 or 9 Libyans out of 10 would vote in favor of Seif al-Islam.
In addition, Seif al-Islam has a powerful ally, in this case Russia, which believes he will win the elections, according to a European diplomat described by the American newspaper as “experienced and connoisseur of Libyan affairs”.
Moscow does not hide its support for Gaddafi.
Let us recall that the special envoy of the Russian President for the region of the Middle East and Africa, Michael Bogdanov, had welcomed on January 15, Meftah Werfelli and Omar Abu Cherida, representatives of the “Movement of Seif al-Islam”.
Source Anadolu Agency
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