A Critical Analysis of the Security Crisis in Post-Gaddafi Libya

Abstract

This article interrogates the mutually reinforcing issues that underlie the inability of the Libyan state to foster peace and security after the 2011 political uprising. The article demonstrates that whereas the post-Gaddafi transitional governments have succeeded in articulating a political, albeit fragile, transition programme, the failure to develop a coherent post-war peace-building and reconstruction agenda has undermined the political process, and the peace, stability and development of the country. This is aggravated by the limited contribution of the international community to the country’s post-war rebuilding process. Until these shortcomings are addressed, the paper concludes, the prospect of a peaceful and stable Libya is illusory.