In Libya, what had initially began as a protest against government corruption, manifested into eight months of civil war. All of which came to a close Thursday with the death of its leader Moammar Gadhafi .
Gadhafi , after staging a military coup in 1969, took control of Libya and implemented a tyrannical rule for almost 42 years. He was feared and resented by most of his people for backing terrorist groups and abusing human rights.
Associate Professor in the department of political science William Boettcher gave insight on Gaddafi’s politics.
“Gadhafi was the single, dominant ruler there,” Boettcher said. “You had a political system that didn’t allow many interests beyond Gadhafi and his family. They sell oil; he took a lot of that money and used it to support lavish lifestyles.”
However, the exact circumstances of Gaddafi’s death still remain unclear. It is generally believed that he was shot twice while rebels attempted to overtake him and his loyalist troops.
“The jury’s still out on that — on who was really responsible,” Boettcher said. “They should have kept him alive and tried him. Generally, I think that’s a good idea. I don’t think it’s a good idea, morally or politically, to parade him around Misrata like they did.”
Beaudette added, “I think that, given the situation, the rebels weren’t interested in having him tried for war crimes or terrorism. I’m not saying [what happenend ] is justified, but, to them, it was there only course of action, and their best option.”
Regardless, now that Libya is free of its dictatorship, there’s the question of how will they manage politically in the days to come.
Mohammad Moussa , a senior in electrical engineering, traveled this summer to Egypt and Tunisia with three friends to document the revolutions through poetry. Their rendition of the experience, Poetic Portraits of a Revolution, incorporates interviews and interaction with Egyptians and Tunisians who took part in the uprisings.
“Revolutions aren’t perfect, and they’re definitely not pretty,” Moussa said. “It’s a struggle at the end of the day, and although Egypt and Tunisia’s struggle might have been relatively easier during the ‘overthrowing the dictator’ stage, Libya’s was not…these revolutions don’t necessarily end when the dictator falls, it’s a much longer process at times, and I think that Libya still has a long way to go.”
The poetic team spent two months in North Africa talking to normal people on the ground who took part in revolutions greater than themselves, according to Moussa , the trips Arabic translator.
“I definitely do not want them to rush things,” Moussa said. “It’s a process that should take it’s time, and the version of democracy that fits for Libya doesn’t have to look like the democracy that fits us here in America, and we should be ok with that concept. I’m not sure [if Libya is ready for democracy], but that doesn’t matter, because the transformation is happening.”
According to Boettcher , Libya is on its way to establishing a solid foundation for its government with the National Transitional Council and support of people like Hilary Clinton.
“I think what’s interesting is there wasn’t a civil war [from] Egypt and Tunisia’s revolutions. There was a civil war in Libya. I think that’ll make it harder for Libyans to turn the page,” Boettcher said.
Caroline Beaudette , a junior in international studies with a focus in international relations, believed it is a victory for Libya.
“He led such an oppressive regime for so long. His death signifies the end of that and a move toward a more democratic government that listens to what the people say,” Beaudette said.
Russell commented on its logistical sense.
Leaders from around the world, including Obama, have issued statements on Gaddafi’s death and the message it will send to the world. Citizens all across Libya are celebrating that they will, hopefully, never have to face another Gadhafi again.
