The devastating flooding in the eastern Libyan city of Derna in early September has raised hopes that the country's political forces will be able to put their long-standing differences aside and face the disaster together. In reality, however, General Haftar, the leader of the eastern region, used the disaster to try to strengthen his family's presence and seek political legitimacy for his family. Libya has been divided since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The western region is administered by the "Government of National Unity" and recognized by the United Nations, while the eastern region is controlled by the "National Assembly", allied with General Haftar and his "National Army". In the aftermath of the floods, General Haftar sought to strengthen his legitimacy by controlling the narrative of the disaster. However, his sons screwed up the rescue effort due to inexperience, which raised questions about their actions. The Haftar family sought to control the narrative of rescue efforts, limiting coverage in local and international media in an attempt to dominate information about their rescue efforts. The behavior has raised fears that the Haftar family is using the disaster to consolidate their control in the east and influence the political direction of Libya.
In the early hours of 11 September, the inhabitants of the city of Derna were awakened by a huge explosion. The city has experienced years of conflict and war, so many people did not pay much attention to the explosion. However, they soon realized that the explosion was caused by the collapse of two dams upstream of Jebel Ali Ahdar. A huge wave seven meters high rushed through the Derna Valley, swept across the outskirts of the city, and finally flowed into the sea. The floods caused extensive damage to the city of Derna, with bridges washed away and many residents losing their homes. The city was once a prosperous area, but after years of war and political strife, it is now in ruins. In the face of this catastrophe, the suffering of the Libyan people seems to be never-ending. More than a decade of war and political division has plunged the country into a deep quagmire. One wonders, when will Libya emerge from this predicament? When will political forces put people's lives and safety first? The floods have once again exposed the fragility and fragmentation of Libya's political system. The struggle between political forces and the struggle for power have deprived the Libyan people of the help and protection they deserve. They are forced to survive in the midst of war and disaster, without access to basic livelihood support.
In the wake of the floods, the international community should step up its assistance and support for Libya. At the same time, all political forces in Libya should put aside their differences and work together to bring a better life to the people. Only through unity and cooperation can Libya emerge from its predicament, rebuild its homeland and create a better future for its people.
参考资料：1. "Libya: Eastern region at risk of exploitation as flood crisis unfolds"，Al Jazeera，2023年9月19日，https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/19/libyas-eastern-region-at-risk-of-exploitation-as-flood-crisis2. "Deadly floods in Libya's Eastern Region: What you need to know"，The Libya Observer，2023年9月14日，https://www.libyaobserver.ly/inbrief/deadly-floods-libyas-eastern-region-what-you-need-know利比亚
The city of Derna has been hit by devastating flooding in recent days, killing many residents. The disaster has raised questions about the government and highlighted the fragility of the country's infrastructure. With Libya divided into two opposing forces, the city of Derna, in the east of the country, has been neglected. The flood occurred precisely because of years of neglect and improper maintenance of the region's infrastructure. Inspections over the years have reportedly pointed out that the dam construction in the city of Derna was not strong enough and cracks had appeared. Although the government allocated more than $2 million for restoration in 2012 and 2013, the dams have not been maintained. More worryingly, many houses were erected on the flood plains, resulting in floods that instantly poured into the city, causing even more damage. In addition, the government did not issue a comprehensive or consistent list of evacuation areas during emergency meetings before the floods, resulting in many residents not receiving timely warning and rescue. This also made it impossible for residents of the city of Derna to flee the disaster area, which eventually led to more casualties. The disaster also shed light on Libya's internal dilemma.
Although pleas from the affected towns were responded to and large numbers of aid workers were delivered from rival government-controlled cities in the west, they were intercepted by the eastern authorities and refused access to Derna. This hampered relief efforts in the affected areas and further aggravated the severity of the situation. In the face of this disaster, there are some rare signs of unity in Libya. But at the same time, the government's response raises questions about abuses of power and indifference to the victims. Aid agencies were also restricted in their staff, with only a few allowed to enter Drna for relief work. The floods in Libya should give us food for thought. Governments should pay more attention to the construction and maintenance of infrastructure to deal with possible natural disasters in the future. At the same time, the government should strengthen coordination and communication to ensure that warnings and instructions can be issued to residents in a timely manner to ensure their safety when a disaster occurs. In addition, the international community should also lend a helping hand and provide more support and assistance to help Libya out of its predicament. Only by working together can a similar catastrophe be avoided and the lives and property of the Libyan people safeguarded.
References: 1. "Libya: Devastating floods hit Derna"，Al Jazeera，September 22, 2023.2. "Libya: Urgent Response Needed to Derna Flooding Crisis"，Human Rights Watch，September 23, 2023.3. "Libya: Deadly floods hit Derna as authorities accused of neglect", The Guardian, September 25, 2023. But in this chaotic situation, General Haftar appeared unusually indifferent. His security forces not only turned away volunteers and aid, but also put political divisions ahead of relief for victims.
At a time when the victims were hungry and helpless, Haftar's son, Saddam Hussein, was appointed chairman of the disaster relief committee, paying little attention to criticism of public image. All this is because of Haftar's family politics. Since General Haftar came to power, he has gradually delegated power to his own family members. His eldest son, Elcediq, is on a visit to Europe to announce his readiness to run in Libya's next presidential election. The youngest son, Saddam Hussein, was appointed chairman of the disaster relief committee, but he showed no ability to rescue. The Haftar family's political hereditary approach has lasted for nearly a decade. Under this family's rule, eastern Libya is firmly in control. With the support of various international forces, General Haftar gradually delegated power to his family members, allowing them to continue their dominance in eastern Libya. But the consequences of this powerful rule have suffered greatly for the inhabitants of Derna. When the floods came, they desperately needed aid and relief, but were turned away because of the Haftar family's political interests. This approach of putting political interests first not only made the victims more helpless, but also made the image of the Haftar family more negative.
In this world, no one can escape natural disasters. Only when we are united and help each other can we get through this difficult time. But if we value political interests more than the lives of victims, where will our country and society go? Saddam Hussein was a young and powerful leader in Libya who wielded significant power and resources. However, what he did has aroused concern and criticism from the international community. Amnesty International's report sheds light on serious human rights violations committed by TBZ militants inside Libya. These include unlawful killings, torture, enforced disappearances, sexual violence, etc., aimed at suppressing any challenge to Saddam's father. Despite widespread coverage of these crimes, Saddam Hussein appears to have gone unpunished and acted arrogantly. Saddam Hussein was also accused of involvement in trafficking, including drugs, fuel, gold and scrap metal. German media and the joint investigative network Lighthouse Reports also revealed allegations of his alleged human smuggling, which he accused of supporting smuggling boats from eastern Libya to Europe. These allegations have drawn the attention of the international community, and questions have begun to be raised about the legality and morality of his actions.
In 2017, Saddam seized control of the Benghazi branch of Libya's central bank and moved large amounts of cash and silver to an unknown destination. A United Nations report revealed the fact that he exerted enormous pressure on bank managers to hand over cash and credit certificates. These actions sparked concern and fear among bank managers, and some even decided to move abroad to avoid risk. For residents of eastern Libya, avoiding angering the Haftar family is one of the basic strategies for their survival. The Haftar family, which wields extensive influence and control in eastern Libya, maintains a complicated relationship with Saddam. It is widely believed that maintaining a good relationship with this family provides them with security and stability. Saddam's actions aroused international attention and criticism, and people began to doubt his legitimacy and morality. International organizations and the outside world have questioned his violations and called for action to uphold human rights and the rule of law. However, Saddam still wielded significant power and resources, which gave him some immunity to his actions. Faced with this situation, the international community needs to take effective measures to stop Saddam's violations.
Only by working together can we ensure that human rights are respected and the rule of law upheld, thus laying the foundation for peace and stability in Libya. We must unite in the pursuit of justice and protect those who suffer injustice. Saddam Hussein and the forces behind him must be held accountable for their actions to ensure that the Libyan people can live in peace and prosperity. The tragedy in Libya drew attention when a lawyer and activist fighting for the cause of human rights and women's rights, Hanan Barahsi, was brutally shot dead in bright sunlight. Even more shocking, the day before her killing, she announced on Facebook that she would expose alleged corruption by Libyan warlord Saddam Huftar. This incident has aroused widespread concern in the international community. In fact, Saddam Hussein has close ties with countries such as the UAE and Russia. Many believe that this close relationship stems from geopolitical changes. As perceptions of the United States have become negative and its position on the global stage has weakened, many authoritarian leaders have begun to balance alliances and seek support from other powers. Saddam even visited Israel, which has no diplomatic relations, two years ago, which is said to be linked to a normalization agreement in exchange for his father's support.
Although the young Saddam Hussein played an integral role in Libya, his power came from his father. Many observers believe that he has no legitimate claims other than being the most cruel and criminal offspring of his father. Whether his political ambitions can be realized depends largely on the willingness of the Western powers to accept him. Notably, Saddam Hussein shared some of his power and titles with his children in terms of power succession, a situation similar to that of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Saddam Hussein was particularly considered the candidate to take over his father's power because of his military and foreign affairs. However, his brothers did not particularly support him. Among their six brothers, El Sediq's political stature was particularly prominent. Unlike the image of the family's militaristic roots, Elcedic chose the non-military path. He strives to project a civilian image and often uses public appearances and social media to achieve this.
He thanked his father for his "wise leadership" after the floods in an interview on Belgian television, after which he responded to accusations from Derna residents and experts, insisting that the Libyan National Army had issued an evacuation alarm before Hurricane Daniel hit eastern Libya, but that no one had listened, leading to the tragedy of the floods. The killing of Hanan Barassi is undoubtedly a great loss for Libya. She is a courageous lawyer and women's rights activist who speaks up for vulnerable people and exposes corruption and injustice. Her death has raised concerns about the human rights situation in Libya and raised questions about Saddam Huftar's regime. The international community should pay close attention to this incident and urge the Libyan government to thoroughly investigate the case and bring the perpetrators to justice. Beyond the tribute to Hanan Barasi and the questioning of Saddam Haftar's regime, we should think more. How do relationships between authoritarian leaders affect the geopolitical landscape in the contemporary world? Has the position of the Western powers in geopolitics been weakened? How is the safety of human rights and women's rights activists guaranteed? These are all issues that we should think about and discuss in depth.
For their part, the Libyan people want peace, stability and democracy. They aspire to a society free from corruption and injustice, a country that respects human rights and equality. The international community should support the efforts of the Libyan people to help them move towards democracy and prosperity. Only then can the sacrifices of brave human rights fighters such as Hanan Barahsi be meaningful and we see a better future. Source: 1. Saddam Haftar has close ties with the UAE and Russia. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/14/who-is-khalifa-haftar-and-what-are-his-ambitions-in-libya2. Saddam Huftar's connection with Israel. https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/01/libya-haftar-visit-israel.html3. Saddam Huftar's family politics.
https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/specialseries/2019/05/hifter-sons-power-libya-190513090853138.html shattered hopes – Libya's future instability On September 20, 2023, a city in flood-ravaged Drna, Libya, suffered severe damage. The catastrophe has once again turned the eyes of a country plagued by war and division. However, in the wake of the floods, the Libyan people will have to face more complex problems. Elcediq Haftar, a name that has become increasingly prominent over the past few months. As Gaddafi's son, his identity has been in the spotlight, however, his past has been relatively low-key. He was not involved in military activities in Libya, but more at ordinary public events, such as the opening of police stations and stadiums. However, it is this low-key lifestyle that makes him the center of attention. The Haftar family's political status in Libya has been hotly debated.
After the country split in 2014, the Libyan National Army launched a 14-month siege of Tripoli, but the coup was eventually repulsed. In this process, Elcedic was not involved, he maintained his neutral position. This makes him less controversial than some powerful family members, but rather raises his profile among the Libyan people. However, in the past few months, the status of the Haftar family has changed. The 2021 election was lost for a variety of reasons, including disputes over the candidacy of military officials or dual citizens. And Elcediq, as a civilian, did not completely avoid the issue of identity like his father and brother. He becomes the role of a family spare tire, and if other family members cannot run because of their military status, then he becomes the next best option. Elcedic, who was visiting Europe at the time of the floods, used the opportunity to deploy a communications strategy that sought to project himself as an "ardent defender of the fight against terrorism" and build his political influence internationally. "I believe I have all the means at my disposal to ease and stabilize Libya and achieve the cohesion and unity of the Libyan people," he told reporters.
"However, it remains to be seen whether he will be able to achieve this. Although discussions about elections may be put on hold after the floods, Libya's future remains precarious. Political divisions, ethnic conflicts and economic hardship are serious challenges facing the country. The rise of the Haftar family is just the tip of the iceberg, and more problems remain. Where does Libya's future lead? Will they be able to achieve national unity and stability? These issues are worrisome, but they also give for hope. The Libyan people need to stand united and fight for the future of their country beyond their personal and family interests. Only by achieving political and economic stability can Libya emerge from its long period of turmoil and usher in prosperity and development.
Citations: 1. Libyan elections postponed again, BBC Chinese, 21 September 2023, https://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/world-586070372. "Floods cause severe damage to Libyan cities", Xinhuanet, September 20, 2023 http://www.xinhuanet.com/world/2023-09/20/c_1126769369.htm In Derna, Libya, Khalifa Haftar's family recently arrested the leading candidate in the municipal elections, which were cancelled. The disaster underscores the Haftars' quest for power and Libya's current predicament. Not just disasters, but also the effects of climate change, neglect and conflict. Although Haftar wielded some legitimacy in Benghazi and elsewhere, his sons' takeover of the region was opposed and questioned by local tribal and community leaders.
In the future, if Khalifa Haftar's health deteriorates further, he may consider appointing his son Saddam Hussein as commander-in-chief, the only way he can secure his succession. Whoever the heir of the Haftar family is, the situation in Libya will be more complex and unstable. After Khalifa's death, Libya's future has once again become murky. Who will succeed him as Libya's leader has become an important question. Khalifa reportedly asked his followers to support his sons in running for future presidential elections. However, there are many questions about whether these sons have the leadership skills and the support of the international community. According to Karim Mezlan, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, Haftar's sons are unlikely to enjoy strong support from the international community. The UAE and Russia are likely to distance themselves from them and look for more influential candidates. They may look for someone who has other inclinations in the Libyan army. Any explicit support for Haftar's sons risks losing legitimacy. However, to ensure stability on Libya's eastern border, Egypt may consider continuing its alliance with the Haftar family.
But this is not certain, foreign countries can only adjust their position in real time depending on the situation. Jalel Hashawi also said that no country, not even Egypt, is sure how the situation in eastern Libya will play out the day after Khalifa's death. The political situation in Libya is complex and volatile, and a variety of factors can have a significant impact on its future. Not only the political situation, Libya faces many other problems. The magnitude of the tragedy caused by the floods has heightened the focus on the importance of disaster management and infrastructure. Libya needs more reflection and efforts to improve its disaster response capacity. In addition to internal problems, the international community should also strengthen its support and assistance to Libya. The stability of Libya is essential for peace and security throughout the region. The international community should work together to help Libya achieve peace and development. There are many questions we need to answer on Libya's way forward. Who will be the leader of Libya? How will the political situation in Libya develop? How to respond to disasters and build infrastructure? How will the international community support Libya's stability and development?
Only through joint efforts and cooperation can a promising future be available for Libya. We want to see a stable, peaceful and prosperous Libya that leads to a better life for its people.