Libya… Parties in Bags

The 1969 coup led by Muammar Gaddafi marked a significant turning point in Libya’s political history. Gaddafi’s regime, through its ban on political parties, effectively stifled any form of organised political opposition.

However, it’s crucial to understand that this hostility towards parties predated Gaddafi. The monarchy had already suppressed party activity following the first post-independence elections, forcing them into secrecy or dissolution.

This suppression created a political vacuum where any existing parties mirrored the authoritarian nature of the regime itself. As Professor Lisa Anderson argues, the nature of political parties often reflects the ruling regime. In Libya’s case, this meant parties centred around a dominant leader with little tolerance for dissent.

Despite the risks, some brave individuals established parties that operated clandestinely within Libya and more openly abroad, particularly amongst exiled Libyans. However, the Gaddafi regime’s pervasive security apparatus infiltrated many of these parties, using tactics of coercion, bribery, and even assassination to neutralise opposition.

The fall of Gaddafi in 2011 led to a surge in the formation of political parties, mirroring a phenomenon seen in other countries emerging from authoritarian rule, such as in Eastern Europe after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

However, this proliferation of parties in Libya was characterised by a lack of substance. Most were ephemeral entities without genuine grassroots support, clear ideologies, or concrete plans. They were essentially vehicles for opportunistic individuals seeking power and influence in the post-Gaddafi era.

This initial surge of party activity quickly faded, leaving a void filled primarily by the Muslim Brotherhood, a well-organised and disciplined group with a clear political agenda. They successfully penetrated key institutions, exemplified by their influence within the Supreme Council of State, where they secured key leadership positions and swayed decision-making in their favour.

With a few notable exceptions, such as the National Forces Alliance and the Justice and Construction Party, the numerous parties registered with the Ministry of Justice have vanished.

They exist merely as hollow shells, occasionally issuing empty statements to remind the public of their existence and their desire for a share of power. In reality, they are “suitcase parties”, transient entities with little more than slogans and paperwork, carried around by their opportunistic leaders.

This analysis highlights the challenges Libya faces in developing a healthy and vibrant political landscape. Decades of suppression under both the monarchy and Gaddafi’s regime have hindered the development of genuine political parties with strong roots in society.

The post-Gaddafi era presented an opportunity for a fresh start, but it has been largely squandered due to opportunism and a lack of genuine commitment to democratic principles.

Rebuilding a functional party system will require a concerted effort to foster grassroots political engagement, promote internal party democracy, and cultivate a culture of political tolerance and compromise.

This op-ed article, penned by Libyan writer Jumma Boukleab, was originally published in Asharq Al-Awsat.