Libya is facing some major challenges as its transitional government fails to stop a drift into factionalism, which can easily cause the country to break up. Urgent action is needed and the transitional government is the only body able to take the initiative. Its failure to act is a real problem. Libya’s neighbours are so alarmed that they are being forced to take action to prevent the spread of chaos, with Tunisia recently closing its border with Libya.
The vast majority of Libya’s population lives on the Mediterranean coast, where there is an effective split between the transitional government in Tripoli (in the east of the country) and the local parties seeking more autonomy in Benghazi (in the west). The tribes of the sparsely populated desert regions to the south are taking advantage of this chaos and seeking more autonomy. The militias that helped topple Muammar Gaddafi have not been disarmed yet and are using the chance to grab power at the local level.
Clashes in the south of the country are growing more frequent. Two days ago, several people were killed in fighting between members of the Toubou tribe, based around Kufra, and the transitional government’s Deraa brigade, whom the Toubous accuse of seeking to “exterminate” them. The Deraa brigade was sent to Kufra by the Ministry of Defence to stop the fighting between the Toubou and the rival Zwei tribe in February.
Meanwhile, Libya is preparing for an important landmark in early July when it goes to the polls to elect a Constituent Assembly. The date for the polls has been pushed back by a week, but it is important that the election goes ahead. The constitutional process is important and the building of long-term institutions are essential for a stable future. However, the transitional government should not dodge its current responsibilities and just wait for the constituent assembly to finish and a new government to emerge. If the present government does not act, the future government will not have much to take over.
