Democratic Ferment and its Impact in the Arab World -An examination of the Role of Opposition Forces in Regime Change in Libya

Abstract

The Arab Revolution euphemistically referred to as the Arab Spring, which erupted like a bolt out of the blue in the last quarter of the year 2010, has thrown up issues that have polarised the enlightened publics, and especially the academic community. This polarity has manifested intensely in the polemics that have to do with questions about what triggered the uprisings. While some scholars contend that the revolt was an internal affair confined to the Arab world, others argue that the insurrections and subsequent revolts leading to regime change were externally induced. It is against this background that this research was undertaken to examine the revolution that engulfed the Arab world , with particular reference to the Libyan crisis, and with the view to locating the role played by the Opposition Forces in ousting the regime of late Muammar Qaddafi. The study undertook an overview of the circumstances that are perceived to have instigated the uprising in Libya, followed by an examination of the role played by external forces comprising the League of Arab States (LAS), United Nations Security Council (UNSC), North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), and the strident criticisms that ensued. With the findings that emanated from the field work carried out for the purpose of generating relevant data applicable to this inquiry, the researcher is strongly of the opinion that the revolt carried out by Libyans which ultimately led to the ousting of the Muammar Qaddafi regime, was a consequence of the intolerable socio-economic and political situation that was prevalent in the country, and not necessarily due to any external conspirators as has been insinuated. The study concludes that the opposition forces were inspired by the untold hardship unleashed by the government of Qaddafi to seek regime change, which ultimately resulted . However, this study offers hope that further investigation is possible into the democratic ferment pervading the Arab world , of which Libya is part, in view of the simmering political situation in the region.