After the overthrow of Gaddafi in 2011, Libya faced a complete power vacuum as various political groups sought power. After a long-lasting period of instability and political division, the United Nations intervened in Libya and led the initiative to recognise the GNA as Libya’s official and sole legitimate authority. The GNA was formed based on the Libyan Political Agreement signed in December 2015.
However and quite evidently, stability and political unity is still missing in post-Gaddafi Libya. The GNA — the government based in Tripoli (West Libya) — is opposed to the Libyan National Army (LNA) based in Tobruk (East Libya). The LNA is led by general Haftar, one of Gaddafi’s main supporters during his rise to power. Due to the opposition between the GNA and LNA, Libya has faced a bi-governance system which has deemed ineffective. In fact, mass riots took place in Tobruk recently as the Libyan population seeks concrete political change.
The GNA is supported by the UN as well as other influential nations, such as the US, the UK, Turkey and Iran. However, it faces opposition from other countries such as France, Israel, Russia, and Egypt because of its close affiliation to the Muslim Brotherhood. The GNA’s reputation domestically is consequently also ambiguous and divided.
In 2021, the GNA and the LNA have lost significant political power, as yet another political reform has attempted to bring both parties together into the Government of National Unity. Ironically, this group is also not very united and division remains omnipresent.
NOTE: This article will be updated soon.
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