A slum-removal campaign has recently been launched in the cities of Marj, Benghazi and Ajdabiy in eastern Libya. The controversial project, where yellow bulldozers are under the supervision of municipal councils and municipal guards, has emerged as a key talking point in the respective cities.

A slum-removal campaign has recently been launched in the cities of Marj, Benghazi and Ajdabiy in eastern Libya. The controversial project, where yellow bulldozers are under the supervision of municipal councils and municipal guards, has emerged as a key talking point in the respective cities.

The removal is a step towards ensuring the rule of law and, to be imposed fairly, should start with raising citizens’ and officials’ awareness, to enforce it with the full local support.

The slum-removing campaign has got underway at the municipal level using yellow bulldozers. There are widespread hopes that the law will be enforced and social media sites have interpreted the yellow colour of the bulldozers as a good omen. However, a lingering ‘but’ remains in the minds of analysts and commentators from all walks of life.

Bulldozed economy

The fact is hardship is generally behind the creation of slums. Looking closely at the situation shows that a lot of people with limited income have started a small enterprise to try and offset soaring prices and daily costs.

For example, the price of a natural gas cylinder – used for cooking – has leapt as high as LYD 80 (US$ 58) up from two and a half dinars. Meanwhile, the price of basics like bread, clothing, food and medicine have also soared. Libyan banks are in the throes of a liquidity crisis that has hit the economy hard for years, with no end in sight.

These small businesses often take the form of small kiosks for selling cigarettes or sandwiches on a sidewalk or a main road, or a small shop in the backyard of a house selling foodstuffs; a tent illegally put up in a square or a market to sell vegetables. In these cases, necessity overrides the law.

But these efforts to make ends meet will undoubtedly prove futile when the yellow bulldozers arrive, and enterprising individuals will be left with the debts accrued through setting up their business. This hard reality suggests that authorities would be well advised to develop alternative plans.

Yellow politics

As long as yellow bulldozers have started removing slums, only a force majeure could stop them. My greatest concern, however, is that social ties and connections will impede a fair implementation of the law. Instead of removing all slums, it is likely that owners with useful connections will be exempted. Societies, particularly in eastern Libya, suffer from the fact that relatives, friends, tribal sheikhs and the likes are given a special role.

I am afraid that some slum buildings will escape the diggers simply because they belong to militias or are expensive buildings, houses or offices. This highlights the fact that laws should be widely enforced – or otherwise they serve no purpose.

Many questions remain, some of which have not surfaced in the current debate.

• Why don’t we explain the economic and urban impact of damaging these slums?

• Why don’t civil society organizations develop regular awareness-raising programmes through the media to explain the plans?

• How can we ensure that the slums are removed for good?

• What role should the Ministry of Religious Affairs play through Friday sermons?

• Is there any focus on educating security members of their role in the removal?

Finally, a widespread removal of slums would send a clear message to people that laws will prevail sooner or later – a good and promising signal. But it is is important to walk the right path and ensure that all are affected, rather than just some. Otherwise the yellow bulldozers may not be seen as a sign of hope for long.