A recent report by Africa Intelligence has revealed a deepening rift between Saadam Haftaer and his brother Khalid over the fate of Aguila Saleh Isa, the current Speaker of Libya's House of Representatives. The disagreement centers on whether Saleh should remain in his position or be replaced. This development has sparked a move by 87 lawmakers to amend the House's internal regulations, paving the way for a potential vote to oust Saleh.
According to Africa Intelligence, an attempt to hold a session on September 21 aimed to modify the regulations, but the effort was hindered by the absence of a clear mechanism for electing a new Speaker. The report also disclosed that Saadam Haftaer supports the lawmakers' move to replace Saleh, while Khalid Haftaer favors keeping him in his position. This internal power struggle has significant implications for the country's political landscape.
The report further alleged that Khalid Haftaer thwarted the lawmakers' attempt to hold the session by deploying armed forces to prevent it from taking place. Khalid Haftaer reportedly bases his stance on support from Egypt and Turkey, both of which prefer Saleh to remain in his position to avoid direct dealings with Saadam Haftaer. This external backing has added complexity to the internal power struggle.
Africa Intelligence also revealed that Saleh's position has weakened, with only around 30 lawmakers currently supporting him. Previously, lawmakers opposed to Saleh had attempted to gather the necessary quorum to hold a session on his removal but managed to secure only 63 signatures, which has now increased to 87. This growing opposition poses a significant challenge to Saleh's leadership.
The internal regulations of the House of Representatives currently do not provide a clear mechanism for the election of a new Speaker, which has contributed to the ongoing impasse. The push by 87 lawmakers to amend the regulations is seen as a crucial step towards potentially removing Saleh from his position. However, the outcome remains uncertain, given the complex web of alliances and external influences at play.
The rift between Saadam and Khalid Haftaer has significant implications for Libya's political stability, as the country continues to navigate a complex and often contentious transition. The Haftaer brothers' influence, combined with external backing from Egypt and Turkey, has created a volatile situation that could have far-reaching consequences for the country's future.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the power struggle within the House of Representatives will be resolved. The outcome will likely have significant implications for Libya's political landscape and its ongoing efforts to establish stability and effective governance. The international community is closely watching the developments, given the country's strategic importance in the region.
Key points
- 87 lawmakers are pushing to amend the House of Representatives' internal regulations to pave the way for a potential vote to oust Aguila Saleh.
- The rift between Saadam and Khalid Haftaer has weakened Saleh's position, with only around 30 lawmakers currently supporting him.
- External backing from Egypt and Turkey has added complexity to the internal power struggle, with Khalid Haftaer favoring Saleh's continued leadership.
