CAUSES OF LIBYAN COUP IN 1969

 

  • The need for genuine independence. The 1951 independence was pseudo (paper independence) for the king remained a stooge/puppet fostering Western interests in Libya. Both the British and Americans had military bases in Libya forexample at wheelus air field and Eladem respectively. This annoyed nationalists who sought the use of a barrel as the only way to cause changes in Libya.

  • The growth of socialism in Libya paved way for a coup to over throw Idris who was capitalist oriented. The army wished to end regionalism i.e. (Tripolitania, Cyreniaca and Fezzan), unite all the people and promote equality, socially or economically. The king looked adamant hence the coup became inevitable.

  • The slow pace of economic development in Libya yet other Arab states like Egypt, Syria, and Saudi-Arabia were developing at a faster rate annoyed the nationalist of Libya yet Idris was not taking any step to address the problem of backwardness in Libya. To change the situation the revolution was the option left.

  • Mal-administration of king Idris, He vested almost all the power in his hands for example there was no freedom of speech or press, and he banned political party activities like in 1952 he banned the operation of the national congress party; he could appoint and dismiss his ministers any time. So this state of affair made the revolution unavoidable.

  • Ethnic rivalry in Libya called for a coup in 1969; Idris who would have worked to unite all the people of Libya favored the Shalhi family at the expense of other people. This forced the free unionist officers to carry out a coup.

  • Corruption in Libya, it experienced the worst form of corruption where by money got from the oil resource fell into the hands of a small clique of shalhis who embezzled it. This created a bigger income gap between the haves and the have not and to bridge the gap the option of a coup was sought.

  • The discovery of oil in Libya 1959 and the sudden exploitation of this mineral resource by USA and Britain while repatriating profits to their countries. This was a clear manifestation of neo- colonialism that could not be accepted especially after the wind of change brought by World WarII blowing all over Africa. In a bid to control these profits to benefit the Libyans, a coup was staged.

  • The need to purify Islam and introduce Sharia in Libya called for a revolution. The number of nominal Muslims had increased yet Idris kept a deaf ear. Therefore Gadafi together with others like major Jalloud rose up in arms against the administration of king Idris in 1969.

  • The ambitious character of Gadafi, It is argued that as early as Gadafi was 19 years he developed the need to lead and govern Libya so he joined Sebha secondary, after he joined a military academy with the intension getting skills that would help him later to reign, He befriended a number of army officers including major Jalloud and by 1969 it was very clear power had to be passed on to a commoner (Gaddafi)

  • The increased spread of Christianity as a result of increased number of Americans and British in Libya annoyed the free unionists’ officers and since Idris did not act to stop this, the revolution was staged.

  • The grievances of the Army; Firstly promotions were not on merit, it was only the shalhis that were promoted for example colonel Abdul aziz shalhi was the Army commander, to make matters worse the Libyan Army was ill equipped, poorly fed and clothed. The six days war with Israel where Libya put up a very poor performance made the situation ripe for a revolution that took place in 1969.

  • The 1952 Egyptian revolution encouraged the Libyans to stage theirs, Gadafi was a true disciple of Nasser, and he was trained by Nasser who gave him ideas of how to deal with a monarchy. Gadafi got a lot of moral, financial and military support from Nasser; this gave him courage and confidence to also stage his revolution in 1969.

  • The presence and success of other coups else where in Africa, forexample the1965 coup in Algeria,1966 in Ghana, 1965 coup in cong among orhers, the success of these army coups encouraged the Libyan Army to also stage a coup so as achieve the desired end.

  • The desire to end a monarchy and make Libya a republic prompted the free unionist officers stage a coup in 1969, without this coup there were less chances for a commoner to rise to power in Libya. Thus to increase political space for all, a coup of 1969 could not be averted.

  • The formation of the free unionist officers’ movement made the revolution inevitable. It played a pivotal role in spearheading the desired revolution at the time.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS OF KING IDRIS.

  • In 1959 Idris developed the oil resources of Libya and this improved its national treasury and stabilized the national budget.

  • Idris ruled as a constitutional monarch, he provided a constitution to the people of Libya and despite the fact that it left him with a lot of powers; Idris should be credited for endeavoring to provide it.

  • In the field of education he put up many primary, secondary schools like Sebha secondary and even put up a military academy for the young officers. This created a large elite class.

  • In 1951 after acquiring (pseudo) independence he registered Libya in the UNO, this showed a man who understood international politics.

  • In 1963 he was one of the delegates who met in Adisababa to inaugurate O.A.U that was supposed to settle African disputes.

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