It has been less than four months since the war ended in Libya with the downfall of Muammar Gaddafi.
But for two weeks now Libyans have been protesting again – this time against the slow pace of reform under the new leadership. They have accused the ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) of failing to honour those who died fighting for the country’s freedom.
On Saturday, up to 2,000 angry protesters attacked the Libyan transitional government’s headquarters in the eastern city of Benghazi. They stormed the building and ran off with computers, chairs and desks while the country’s interim leader Mustafa Abdel Jalil was holed up inside.
Libyans have become increasingly frustrated with their new leaders. They want, among other things, better compensation and greater rights for those who fought Gaddafi’s forces.
“More [protests are] possibly to come if the NTC does not reinvent itself, does not become more transparent, and does not live up to the demands that were very much at the core of the revolution.” – Tarik Yousef, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institute
Libyans are particularly concerned about the new election laws the NTC is introducing. They say the public has not been properly consulted and the new rules do not live up to the democratic ideals they had all hoped for.
Critics of the draft election law have been vocal about three major issues, which includes the concern over gender representation in the National Congress, with just ten per cent of the 200 seats reserved for women. Then there are questions about the role of Libya’s expatriates as the law indicates that Libyans with dual nationality will not be able to run for election. And finally, the document does not outline how the country’s voting districts will be divided.
“It seems that a lot of good measures have already been taken to start civic education about the electoral processes. For me, the greater concern is how the NTC manages public expectations about changes.” – Richard Barltrop, an analyst on Libyan affairs.
Why are Libyans still protesting?
- The NTC announced a draft law that sets rules for an assembly vote in June. The law has sparked criticism
- An article in it banning dual nationals from running for office has been criticised
- Critics say the 10% of seats allocated for women is not sufficient
- Protesters stormed the National Transitional Council (NTC) headquarters on Saturday, demanding to meet officials
- Protesters are demanding more transparency from Libya’s rulers
- Libyans are frustrated with the slow pace of reform since the fall of Gaddafi
- The NTC chief Mustafa Abdel Jalil tried to address the crowd but was rejected
- Protesters then torched Abdel Jalil’s armoured Land Cruiser
- The attack is a serious blow to Libya’s NTC
Following the protests, Abdul Hafiz Ghoga, the deputy head of the NTC, announced his resignation, on Sunday.
He said: “My resignation is for the benefit of the nation. Unfortunately, the consensus has not continued to maintain the highest national interests. The atmosphere of deprivation and hatred has prevailed.”
Source: Al Jazeera
