Contrary to the stereotype, federalism advocates in eastern Libya are trying to renew their active presence on the political scene through a more passive discourse and less provocative slogans.
In a response to accusations leveled against them as disunion supporters, federalists – or unionists as they have come to call themselves – staged a demonstration on November 2nd, the first, after electing the General National Congress (GNC) (parliament), demanding an end to centralization and support for Dr. Ali Zeidan’s new government.
Contrary to the stereotype, federalism advocates in eastern Libya are trying to renew their active presence on the political scene through a more passive discourse and less provocative slogans.
In a response to accusations leveled against them as disunion supporters, federalists – or unionists as they have come to call themselves – staged a demonstration on November 2nd, the first, after electing the General National Congress (GNC) (parliament), demanding an end to centralization and support for Dr. Ali Zeidan’s new government.
The demonstration staged in Benghazi, the main federalists’ bastion, was unlike previous demonstrations. “The demonstrators’ tone was comparatively more assuaged, and their anti-centralization slogans, viewed as a call for separation of Cyrenaica Region, were absent,” journalist Intisar Barassi said.
New garb
While the Libyan independence flag fluttered in the middle of the demonstration square, protestors carried Berber flags alongside the flag of Cyrenaica, which is black with a white star and crescent.
Those who hoisted Berber flags were met with astonishment by attending observers. That astonishment, however, was soon dissipated by a statement made by Belqassem Nimr, Chairman of the Constituent Committee at the Federal National Bloc, about opening a branch for the bloc in the city of Zuwara, far western Tunisia, which is of Berber-majority.
Nimr also stresses that the word ‘federal,’ which “scared people” has been replaced by ‘unionist’ in the bloc’s name, expressing the intention of the bloc to open more branches in other cities across the country.
For her part, columnist Jamila Fallak, who was one of the first writers to criticize the Cyrenaica Declaration, regarded “the demands made on November 2nd as excellent and attainable rights,” adding that “unionism is federalism with new grab, and a circumvention of the issue.”
Untimely demand
Many observers agree that the federalism proposal, which was expressed through the Cyrenaica Declaration— under which Cyrenaica was declared a federal Region on March 6— tried to impose a de facto situation, without waiting for promulgating a constitution presented for referendum by the Libyan people.
Political activist Atef Atrash says: “They have declared their federalism in a way that has been provocative for the all components of the Libyan people, despite the legitimacy of their demands.”
It seems that the advocates of federalism themselves have decided to review their position vis-à-vis the declaration. Nimr was keen to separate between his bloc as a civil society organization and the Cyrenaica Declaration.
Later on November 15, a statement was released in Benghazi, announcing the set up of federally oriented National Union Party (NUP), which was considered an attempt by federalism advocates to win voters’ support for a federally administered Libya. NUP Chairman, Abu Bakr Bu’ira, says Cyrenaica Council experienced a state of administrative stagnation and inactivity, and was too slow in introducing the federal system.”
Having assumed then stepping down from the chairmanship of the Political Bureau of Cyrenaica Region Council, Bu’ira considered the NUP establishment “an administrative departure from Cyrenaica Council”, adding that they had plans to participate in the next elections.
According to its founding statement, NUP, which is the first federal party, calls for political decentralization, sustainable development and management rationalization.
New Generation
“I was anti-federalism, but I have started to be more convinced of it,” is a phrase used by a number of citizens who talked about their suffering as a result of centralization and bureaucratic administrative procedures, more than a year after the toppling of Gaddafi’s regime.
This may be interpreted as a partial change in the attitudes of the street toward federalism proposal. However, columnist Fallak says: “With regard to Benghazi, the populations there are divided vis-à-vis federalism, and are still not fully aware of what is happening.”
Although the emerging new pro-federalism generation needs to be further examined, Benghazi has been experiencing an anti-centralization movement led by new workers unions, which seek to fetch the key departments from the capital. The discourse of this movement has been widely accepted.
Yusuf Gharyani, Chairman of Oil Workers Union says: “There are 262 government institutions operating in the capital. How can it be that Benghazi is considered Libya’s economic capital, in accordance with the National Transitional Council’s decision issued on December 12, 2011, while it does not have economic institutions?”
The 60-member Committee
The federalists managed to make GNC amend Article 30 of the Constitutional Declaration two days before the GNC elections, and some of their demands that were realized are still discussed inside the GNC lobbies. Dispute still exists about amending that article to allow the GNC members to appoint the members of the Constitution Constituent Committee, composed of 60 members, while federalists insist that those members should be elected directly by the people.
The tendency within the GNC is to start a dialogue with various blocs and political currents before making a decision on the amendment. Bu’ira welcomes the idea, saying: “Dialogue is the only means to resolve these problems.”
Observers count on the expected dialogue to prevent escalation, warning against reaching an impasse, which may repeat ‘Al-Wadi Al-Ahmar’ strikes – which took place on July 7, 2011 prior to the GNC elections – and the closure of Nofaliya highway, separating eastern and western parts of the country.
Atef Atrash rules out that the federalists may resort to threats or use of force to control territory because, he believes, “Libyans do not tolerate such acts, under any circumstances.”
Bu’ira supports this belief, saying “Federalists are peaceful, and had previously come under fire during March 6, 2011 demonstrations.”
It is a political battle, which federalists are getting involved in and may win or lose. In preparation for it, they are trying to explain their views with regard to their perception about the form of government in Libya, and their demand to elect the Constituent Committee. The initial decisive results of this battle are likely to appear when the country’s next constitution has been adopted.
