01.02.12 Libya Focus
Bani Walid conflict illustrates the continuing division between the central authorities and the local population
The stresses between the centre – principally Tripoli – and the peripheral rural
areas appear to be increasing as local people flex their muscles under the
influence of the revolution. Its most dramatic manifestation occurred in and
around
Bani Walid – a town of about 85,000 people 170km southeast of Tripoli – which
was
one of the last places to fall to government forces before the war ended.
Fighting erupted in the town on 23 January when the National Transitional Council (NTC) garrison was overrun by about 150 armed men and the central
administration was expelled (see Libya Politics & Security - 25.01.12). The NTC's local commander, Imbarak al-Futmani, told Reuters that up to 800 men under his command in the 28 th May Brigade –
who take their name from the date that Colonel Mu'ammar Qadhafi loyalists executed a number of pro-democracy activists in Bani Walid - were
preparing to re-capture the town.
Confusion surrounds the details of the 23 January encounter but the effect,
however, was that the town and its linked oases has been left in the hands of
local
fighters. The issue is particularly sensitive because Bani Walid is the
stronghold of the Wafalla tribe whose 52 sub-tribes combine to make it Libya's
largest
and powerful tribe with perhaps as many as one million members. The NTC has,
therefore, been very cautious not to turn the event into a crisis and have,
instead,
recognised the incident as a purely local concern and have made concessions to
the tribal elders. Nonetheless, further changes are likely in this volatile
situation because the local administration is currently being managed by local
leaders and security maintained using the regional militia.
The change of power to a position where Bani Walid's people are now in control
of the area obviously limits the ability of the central authorities to play a
paramount role in the area. So far, the government is adopting a low key
approach
to the situation and has, for example, conceded that representatives from Bani
Walid will be picked to attend future consultations over the new constitution.
Most of the Warfalla are united by a hatred of Misrata's population, and have
underlying sympathy with the previous Qadhafi regime. The feud with Misrata is
a
particular problem for the Sirtican tribes in the hinterland who felt at risk
of
arbitrary and harsh administration as a result of the military strength of
their
old enemy. The latent antipathy of the hinterland tribes towards Misrata is
only
one of many areas in which the NTC needs to educate itself, despite its dislike
of the tribal organisation. The Qadhafi regime was erratic but was essentially
skilled in its manipulation of the tribal system and this is a formula which
the
NTC will be advised to adopt during the transition to a new political
framework.
For more news and expert analysis about Libya, please see Libya Focus and Libya Politics & Security.
© 2012 Menas Associates