CIAO DATE: 01/2013
October 2012
Norwegian Peacebuilding Resource Centre
Muammar Qaddafi’s overthrow was interpreted in the West as the removal of a tyranny and an expression of regional democratisation dynamics. Concerned with their own interests, Western powers have not paid attention to key factors affecting political developments in the wider region. Firstly, the Libyan political process is still chaotic, despite successful parliamentary elections in July. Institution building and the restoration of a monopoly of violence will be tough challenges for a country still split by divisive allegiances. Secondly, Qaddafi played a role in managing and containing regional tensions. The collapse of the regional order he represented has not resulted in a clear alternative and the turmoil in many countries may require more than a mere tactical readjustment. The (re)assertion of political Islam in the region corresponds to new grievances and to a political intervention by some national and transnational actors who rightly understand that the West is not currently willing to invest in proper solutions to regional social and economic tensions. It would be dangerous to give too much credit to ideologies at a time when political processes are deeply rooted in national histories and arenas. Greater attention to economic changes beyond concerns over the growth of an illegal regional economy should feed national and international policies aimed at giving internal peace and liberalisation a chance.
Resource link: The reshaping of West Africa after Mu'ammar Qaddafi's fall [PDF] - 454K