Reflecting on Benghazi: Libya’s Trials and Tribulations

More than a year ago, Benghazi was an unknown city in an obscure North African country. Long since a thorn in the side of the dictatorship, protests on February 15 sparked a revolution that irreversibly changed the nation. Today, the name Benghazi is invoked by presidential candidates and politicians from halfway across the world. Unfortunately, this rise to fame has been fraught with controversy.

The attack on the United States consulate last month, which led to the death of Ambassador Chris Stevens, was an event that resonated world-wide – and brought the city unwanted attention. After the initial shock came swift criticism, both from within and outside the country. The cracks in the government were further exposed, and it seemed that the attack laid the way for even further problems. Brigade headquarters were stormed by angry protesters, assassination attempts increased and the whispered rumours about AlQaeda grew into fearful certainty.

In a statement addressed to Libya’s General National Council, Suleman Zubi, Benghazi’s representative, accused the GNC of continuing to marginalise the city. “…I’m speaking about these institutes that have been moved by Gaddafi and placed in Tripoli…the people in Benghazi have no salaries, there is no budget for the Benghazi Local Council, the city is overflowing with trash….there are people [in the government] who benefit from keeping these institutes [centralised]…”

Mr. Zubi’s remarks were met with anger from other members of the GNC. However, his accusations echo the general feeling of neglect in Benghazi by the government. In reaction, the city once touted as the spark of the revolution is being accused by many of being selfish and greedy.

There’s no doubt that there are a multitude of issues not being addressed by the government. But, is this anger just a rekindling of the deep rooted East vs. West hostility? Or is it a result of the increasing tension at the state of the country?

After the first elections for Prime Minister, Mustafa Abushagur was dismissed after failing to create a satisfactory cabinet. The city of Bani Walid is facing an escalating crisis as Misrata demands justice done to those who tortured and killed Omran Shaaban, a fighter who had captured Gaddafi. These incidents, along with continued reports of security breaches and corruption, have noticeably lowered the optimism of the people. Morale is at a low as the country clings to stability.

What is happening in Benghazi is a reflection of what’s happening in the rest of Libya. As the government attends to one problem several more spring up. Unity between cities is breaking up as each feels itself neglected and overlooked, but without unity, the country will fall apart.

The success of one city is the success of the nation, and the suffering of one city is the failure of the whole country. This need to separate and detangle the problems of one city from the mountain of issues that plague the country could very well be an instinctive reaction borne of the fear of becoming insignificant in that mountain.

Yesterday, the country celebrated the one year anniversary of Libya’s official liberation. No doubt a lot of speculation will be made on how far the country has really come since that day. A new Prime Minister has now been instated, and hopes now ride on Ali Zidan to bring the country out of this difficult phase, and back on track.