The future of political conflict in Libya after the assassination of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64184/ajlps.V3.I2.Y2026.408-831.341Keywords:
Assassinations in Libya, power struggle in Libya, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, Libyan elections.Abstract
The Libyan public was shocked by the news of the assassination of Dr. Saif al-Islam, son of Libyan Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, a prominent politician who spearheaded the comprehensive reform project for the Libyan political system, known as the Jamahiriya system, during his father's rule in the first decade of this century. Saif al-Islam Gaddafi adopted a pro-regime stance during the February 17, 2011 protests, which were supported by NATO. Following the regime's collapse, he attempted to flee to Niger but was apprehended and imprisoned in Zintan, a city that refused to extradite him to the Tripoli government. He was later released under a general amnesty law issued by the parliament aligned with the eastern Libyan government. He then went into hiding for security reasons before reappearing as a candidate in the elections. He was the leading candidate to win the presidential elections, which were postponed at the end of 2021 due to security concerns. He held significant symbolic importance for the September Movement (supporters of the Green Flag) and those disillusioned with the widespread chaos, corruption, and division that has plagued Libya since NATO's military intervention in support of the 2011 protests. His assassination on March 3, 2026, is expected to have a significant impact on the outcome of the political conflict and the long-awaited presidential elections, as well as on his large popular base, which supported his father and him throughout his struggle to return to power through the ballot box. However, some argue that his absence will not affect the Libyan political landscape, offering several arguments and justifications.
References
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