[Writing] The Society of Warring Libya
The Society of Warring Libya
“One man’s heaven is another man’s hell I guess.”
- Julia Kaufmann, Travel Journalist
- Julia Kaufmann, Travel Journalist
[1.1: The Massacre of the Martyrs, 27 hours later after Haftar’s Death]
Libya is experiencing a short but consequential change throughout their society. Ever since the death of Haftar, the very institution that meant to lead them has collapsed entirely and what’s left of them have either left to their sanctuaries or crumbled under the pressure of the squabbling militias.
The U.N-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) was exiled from its base and settled in the United States. The House of Representatives (HOC) was forcefully abolished when almost all of are arbitrarily slaughtered by marauding militias (with the exception for Aguila Saleh Issa, being exiled to Toulouse). Leaving Libya with no institution considered to be legitimate by the international community.
[1.2: The remnants of Haftar's loyalist who regrouped in Southern Cyrenaica]
ISIS thrived within the following chaos and set a permanent foothold within the confines of the Gulf of Sirte. New movements such as the Green Army rose from the ruins of the blunders of the National Army, paving the way for the Ghost of Muammar and his eventual campaign.
[1.3: One of the following markets suffering in Northern Cyrenaica]
Quality-of-life can also be subjected to relativity, people ranging from Tripolitania to Sabha may have different standards when it comes to their perspective of good living: with the former living in communal harmony while the latter prefers the qualities of abundance.
Economic sanctions imposed by the U.S has prevented many useful incentives such as medicine and food surplus to flow through the populace. This has a drastic effect surrounding the coastal regions of Libya, although various factions have supplemented this with alternative and potentially dubious means of sustaining their economy.
[1.4: A flock of enslaved West Africans in Es Sultan Camp]
Slavery has become a common market in Libya, a profitable and surprisingly easy commodity to exploit. While people outside may see this as a barbaric and morally wrong, some might justify it to be only the way to sustain themselves as the local marketplace either no longer reward the talents of artisans or it’s a relatively easy compared to other jobs.
Refugees mostly from West Africa desperate to reach Europe has become a huge commodity in the slave markets. Preferred by slavers due to their great numbers and their wicked view of racial strength, they played roles in all shapes and form: from a meager slave militia to even the highest position available.
[1.5: Brigi Rafini, one of Sabha’s notorious corsairs]
For those living in the shores, especially in the Gulf of Sirte, piracy has become an eloquent market. From hijacking wandering ships to kidnapping people from the northern hemisphere, the new generation of corsairs has thrived within the chaos and civil strife; with no one in Libya ever dare (or try) to break it up.
The Europeans living within the coast are vulnerable to kidnappings, especially during the night. They, especially the women, are one of the most desired commodities within the market. They could either be ransomed for a ludicrous amount of cash or enslaved for whatever reasons they consider desirable.
[1.6: Massive euphoric marches in the square after Muammar’s Liberation of Tripoli]
Gaddafi, once the tyrant that they despise, has become a reminder of Libya’s once stable past. Regardless of its realities, most of the people cannot bear the years of economic instability and look to the past to cope with their lives - with bread becoming more expensive than a meager phone. While some reminisce the good-old-days, others have manifest this nostalgia into something more euphoric - thus came the rise of the Green Army.
[1.7: A man left with nothing.]
Libya is no longer a nation of peaceful development experiencing democratic harmony. It’s a country confused, wondering about whatever future that lies ahead for them. They either succumb to the torment forever or see their country united once more. But who knows.
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