Libyan crisis

-Sudharsan

                                       BBC

What? 

Libya is in the middle of its second civil war in 5 years, has 100's dying everyday.

Where? 

Libya is a country in North Africa close to the Mediterranean sea. It is the largest oil producer in Africa, and was a stable country with free education, healthcare and a good per capita income.

Now? 

But now its surrounded by chaos and bloodshed and wars, and it is partly because of NATO and USA.

Long ago

In 1969, Muammar Gaddafi led a coupe against King Idris - I and forced him to flee. Then Gaddafi  proclaimed a new Libyan African Republic.

His reforms made health care and education free for all, and tried to provide houses for all citizens.

A secular society was imposed where women enjoyed equal rights, economy also grew, with one of the best per capita figures in Africa.

But his idea of cold nationalism and 42 years of authoritarian dictatorship wasn't received well.

Why? 

Fearing rebellion he always gave important positions in the government and military to members of his tribe.

So other tribes were usually treated as second citizens. Free speech was suppressed, strict punishments were imposed on political prisoners.

How? 

People became weary of his rule, the demonstrations against the government started in 2011, with groups of hundreds in various cities, the rebels were common  citizens who went to jobs in the morning and protested in the free time.

It became a widespread rebellion when the security forces in Benghazi responded with live ammunition killing many protesters.


And so

USA and NATO under Obama voted to help train rebels to dethrone Gaddafi as they thought a long war might be harmful to Europe. Their National Transitional council (the rebel outfit), took out Gaddafi's government and he was killed mercilessly on the streets on October 20, 2011.

But no plan was made to tackle a post Gaddafi Libya. Libya without a strong government, became an easy target for ISIS and other militant Islamist groups who took over Libya with the weapons supplied by USA to the rebels. Its economy crumbled, and society dismantled.

Even Obama admitted the Libya war the biggest mistake in his presidency.

He and secretary Clinton who proposed the regime change without thinking will be safe in their cozy home, but what will happen to the millions Libyans who suffer because of USA's regime change policies?.