What is the estimated population of Libya?
When I left the country in December 1992 the population was estimated around 3,500,000. Now I
assume that the number is doubled, because Gadaffi was encouraging Libyans to give more babies.
What is the estimated population of Black indigenous Libyans (born and bred in Libya)?
The biggest group is the Tubu who are living in the Tibesti Mountains in the south. Their population
is estimated to 300,000. Others blacks are estimated to 200,000.
When did Gadaffi take power?
He led a coup against the late King Idris Al Sanousi on September 1st 1969.
What did Gadaffi do to empower Black Libyans?
It is contradicting. While he freed the slaves, and appointed them in security forces and other civil
posts, he marginalized the black tribal men in the south part of the country, where no development
was seen or any one of their people promoted to higher posts in the country. Probably because he
was inspired by Jamal Abdulnasir of Egypt, as Nasir asked the late Saudi King Faisal to abolish
slavery in his country.
What was the status of Black Libyans in Libya during Gadaffi‘s time?
As mentioned above, he freed the slaves but marginalized the black tribes. However, some backs
assumed top posts in Gadaffi’s governments, like the Minister of Defense Abu Baker Younis, the
Treasurer also was a black Libyan. Moreover, Gadaffi assigned some blacks in his security and army
forces as he believed that the blacks have no ambition to overthrow him.
Where in Libya are most Black Libyans located?
There are two groups of blacks in Libya. 1- Freed slaves: this group lives in cities like Gadamis and
Murzug; which was known as one of the biggest slaves’ markets in the sub-Saharan countries,
before taking them to Europe. Also they are living in small numbers in places like Jalou, and Aoujla
oasis, he the founder of the Sanousi movement used to buy them and free them after teaching them
Islam. A small group also lives in Tripoli. An isolated group lives in a town called Taworga east to
Tripoli on Mediterranean Sea. A Libyan friend told me that a ship just dropped them on the shore
after Britain started hunting the slave ships overseas. 2- Black tribal Libyans: these are living in the
southern Libya in area of Tibesti Mountains, and in small numbers in cities like Sabha, Kufra, and
Obari. The biggest group is the Tubu who are living semi nomadic life. Their population is estimated
to be more than 300,000. Other blacks are mixed with the Twariqs in the west part of the country.
What was the relationship between African and Arab Libyans during Gadaffi’s time?
In general Libyans are raciest; discrimination on color and tribe is a daily practice, insulting words
against blacks are so common to the extent that the blacks accept them as a matter of reality or
even as jokes. Blacks are regarded as second class citizens
What was the relationship like between Black and Arab Libyans after Gadaffi lost power?
Blacks; freed slaves, are accused of being supportive to Gadaffi, and there was no prominent black
figure within the opposition group. Therefore, it is highly expected that they will be marginalized. In
the other hand, the Tubu are now fighting against the government in Tripoli, claiming that they
have been marginalized.
What is the percentage of Libyans of African descent that have studied in University?
I studied in Tripoli, in a complex of three universities: Al Fatih University, Al Raya Al Khadra (Green
Flag) University, and Nasir International University. In my colleague there were only three black
Libyan students! Male black students are very few. As to my observations, the percentage might be
less than 1% compared to the total number of Libyan students.
What is the long term future of African Libyans in Libya?
The blacks in Libya are not united except the Tubus, and all the blacks are not living in one region.
The weak part is the freed slaves, also the majority is living in a city like Gadamis and Murzug, they
are not sharing one background, and also because during the Gadaffi regime, they were feeling that
their only leader is Gadaffi. Another fact is that, most of the freed slaves were given the names of
their previous masters; either tribal or family names, which will be considered in such tribal
community like Libya that you are attached, affiliated and/or should honor your family name.
finally, the population of blacks, education, and their share in country’s economic are facts to be
considered for their future.
Were those Africans serving in Gadaffi’s army African Libyans or mercenaries?
I have no idea about this as of now, but the news emerged from there, was that in the beginning of
the regime change, black Libyans were regarded as African black militiamen, and they have been
harassed and tortured.
What happened to those Africans in the Libyan army?
As mentioned above, I have no clear ideas about their current status as the army was resolved and
being replaced mainly by the militias or those who fought against Gadaffi.
Was Gadaffi committed to African unity?
In the beginning of his era, Gadaffi was Arab nationalist inspired by Jamal Abdulnasir of Egypt, and
he used to claim to be the “Guardian” of the Arab Nationalism after the death of Nasir. Gadaffi
planned for a project called the “Arabian Belt”, to bring Arab minorities, especially of the Mahameed
clan and Tawareq from Niger and Mali to settle them in Libya’s west and south boarders to protect
his country from alleged African illegal immigrants and/or invasions. In the eighties, Gadaffi
founded the so-called “The Islamic Legion” composed of the Mahameed and Salamat of Chad and
Banu Halba and Salamat of the Republic of Central Africa to fight against Chad regime. The Legion
was led by the former Chad Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Ibn Omer. They were given safe haven in
Darfur. Later, the settlement of this group in Darfur and the signing of the peace agreement
between the Islamic Legion and the former Chad president Hussein Habere, triggered and
motivated the Arab groups of Darfur (Rizziagat – the main group of the Mahameed, Banu Halba,
Banu Hussein, Salamat, Habaniya, and Ta’aysha) to form the so-called “Al Tajamou Al Arabi – The
Arab Congregation” during the era of Sudan Prime Minister Al Sadiq Al Mahdi, which paved the way
to the Arab alliance with the current Islamic government in Sudan known as the “Janjaweed”.
Gadaffi used to tell the Libyans to migrate and invest in Africa, because Africa is their continent, and
that Libyans have the right to do so more than the west. I believe that Gadaffi was not committed to
the African unity, but he was building his allies in the backyard, making followers and dependents
in the continent. Although Libya is a rich country, we haven’t seen any milestone projects done by
Libyans in African countries. However, after the sanctions, he got unbelievable support from
African countries, but he did not receive the same from Arab countries, which distanced him from
the Arabs.
What was Gadaffi’s real attitude to Africans and to Arabs?
His attitude to Africans was that he was looking to Africa as his own not that he is a part of them. I
believe that he was thinking that Arabs are superior and that they have a message to deliver to
Africa.
Gadaffi’s attitude towards the Arabs was based on his stand that he was the Arab leader, the
Guardian. This explains the differences between him and most of the Arab leaders.