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Libya's dictator son: Saif al-Islam Gaddafi disqualified from the presidential election

2021-11-25T20:59:02.361Z


The Libyan electoral commission wants to exclude Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of the former dictator, from the presidential election. But he is not giving up - and the election could deepen the division of the country.


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Disqualified from the election: dictator son Gaddafi

Photo: Ben Curtis / picture alliance / AP Photo

His story had the potential for one of the most spectacular comebacks in Arab politics. But that doesn't work for the time being: Saif al-Islam al-Gaddafi, the son of the former Libyan dictator, is not allowed to run for the presidential election on December 24th. The reason for this, according to the electoral commission, is an earlier conviction in absentia - because of his role in suppressing the 2011 popular uprising.

Gaddafi Junior, who was captured by rebels after his father was overthrown and then disappeared from the scene for years, reported back this summer and in an interview with the New York Times let it be known that he was based on his origins feel called to the highest office in the country. Ten days ago he announced his candidacy. Because some Libyans are longing for the dictator's more stable time after ten years of war, Gaddafi Junior was given certain opportunities. But Libya's electoral commission has now refused admission to 25 candidates - a total of 96 men and two women had registered for the election.

Gaddafi doesn't seem to have given up yet: He wants to challenge his disqualification in court.

The independence of the judiciary is not guaranteed in the current climate: militias and rival powers are vying for influence.

It is therefore difficult to assess whether Gaddafi still has a chance.

It is uncertain whether the election will take place at all

Whether the election will actually take place on December 24th and under what conditions is uncertain anyway.

For previously unknown candidates who played no role in the old regime will find it difficult to make a name for themselves within 30 days - in a country where militias set the tone and democracy activists are intimidated.

The resignation of the UN special envoy for Libya Ján Kubiš is currently causing uncertainty.

Why he wants to resign is still unclear.

Kubiš at least wants to stay in office until the election is over.

However, it is entirely possible that the presidential election will be canceled due to procedural inconsistencies or that it will not be able to take place on time for other reasons.

The parliamentary election, which was planned at the same time, has already been postponed for a month due to the rivalries between the political camps in the country.

more on the subject

  • Dictator's son Saif al-Islam al-Gaddafi: A Libyan spirit is returningBy Monika Bolliger

  • Libya ten years after the fall of Gaddafi: "Russian mercenaries have settled, Turkey is also flying in troops" An interview by Dominik Peters and Maximilian Popp

  • Candidate rush in Libya: Perhaps the longest ballot in the world

There are also reasons for the disqualification of other prominent candidates such as the warlord Khalifa Haftar or the interim Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbaibah.

Dbaibah should have resigned from his current position to run for the presidency, which he has not yet done.

He is supported by Turkey, has ties to rival camps and is therefore to some extent considered a unifying figure.

But he is also a former confidante of Gaddafi Senior.

Haftar, who controls parts of eastern Libya, has been charged with war crimes - and allegedly he is a US citizen, which would stand in the way of running.

He has so far received support from France, Russia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.

There are many reasons to be concerned about the legitimacy of the choice.

There is a risk that candidates who are not admitted, such as Seif al-Gaddafi, will sabotage the election.

If Warlord Haftar does not win the election, it is to be feared that he will not recognize it: he could oppose together with his troops.

Should Haftar win, on the other hand, parts of western Libya are likely to refuse to accept his authority.

So the choice meant to bridge the divide in the country might deepen it.

Source: spiegel

All news articles on 2021-11-25

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