Muammar Qaddafi’s tyrannical reign as Libya’s dictator appears to be coming to an end. In the last six months, Libyan rebels and NATO forces have subdued Qaddafi loyalists and since the last week have taken the capital, Tripoli, by storm.
Libyan citizens have endured 42 years of oppression and have sparked the continuation of the “Arab Spring.” This revolution has opened the door to a multitude of possibilities for the Libyans, who were justified in their efforts to oust Qaddafi. Libyans can now strive for a more democratic nation where their voices can be heard and respected.
Qaddafi has hindered Libya’s economic progress for years. Throughout the 80s and 90s, he openly supported and facilitated terrorism, due to which the U.S. deemed it necessary to place trading sanctions on Libya, which debilitated its economy. During that time, it was unable to trade in the vast quantities needed to keep the country in a growing state. It was not until 2001 that sanctions were lifted and Libya’s international relations were normalized.
Libya enjoys large natural resources (its number one export is oil), but the high returns were concentrated by Qaddafi’s family and his elites, who accrued vast fortunes. Most of the enterprises were controlled by Qaddafi and his family. Meanwhile, a large section of the population is still living in poverty.
Muammar Qaddafi was a huge proponent of socialism, but never practiced what he preached. He made millions over the last four decades, along with his cronies. Qaddafi subjected Libyans to dilapidated housing, outdated infrastructure and sub-par sewage systems. For instance, according to a CNN article, sewage facilities in Benghazi are over forty years old, resulting in pollution, as untreated sewage flows freely into the ground and water supplies. Clearly, though he claimed to be a man of the people, his countrymen’s prosperity and well-being were never his primary objectives. Rather, he was more preoccupied with personal wealth. Perhaps he believed that fear and oppression would prove to be more productive than fairness and freedom.
Emerging Libyan leaders must now act in a time-efficient manner. Things can worsen for the country if there is a power vacuum, which could lead to a long-term instability, undermining the formation of a functioning government. Libyans have to formalize their government to prevent anarchy and lessen the chance of a pro-Qaddafi revolt. All regions of the country have to be represented equally and differences between groups have to be set aside for the sake of progress. Ultimately, justice must be served. Libyans hope that all of these milestones will be reached and will be made a reality.
Colonel Qaddafi has to be tried for his wrong-doing and he has been found guilty of the many crimes he committed. This includes, but is not limited to, his involvement in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988, resulting in the deaths of 243 passengers.