Libyan Cabinet Affairs Minister Survives Assassination Attempt in Tripoli
On a seemingly ordinary Wednesday in Tripoli, Adel Juma, Libya’s minister for cabinet affairs, found himself the target of a shocking assassination attempt. According to a statement from the U.N.-recognized Government of National Unity (GNU) that spearheads governance in Libya’s capital, Juma barely escaped with his life after an unidentified assailant opened fire on his vehicle.
An inquiry is currently underway to identify those behind this violent ambush. Think about it: What drives individuals to such drastic measures? The GNU, unwavering in its stance, condemned this attack as an affront to national stability and security, asserting that it “will not tolerate any attempts that threaten the state’s security.”
Fortunately, Juma’s injuries were not life-threatening, with reports indicating he sustained a gunshot wound to his leg but remains in stable condition. An action movie scenario played out on the streets of Tripoli, but this was no Hollywood script—it was the harrowing reality of Libyan politics today.
Since March 2021, Juma has been a vital cog in the Tripoli-based administration, responsible for ensuring smooth coordination between Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah’s office and other ministries. Juma, known for his astute judgment and loyalty, stands as one of Dbeibah’s most trusted confidants.
Such attempts to destabilize Libya’s political landscape through violence are not unprecedented. Back in April last year, a similar attack targeted both the home and office of Dbeibah’s nephew and advisor, Ibrahim Dbeibah. Fortunately, this attack resulted in no casualties. Rewind further to 2021, and we recall how the former interior minister under the previous Government of National Accord, Fathi Bashagha, narrowly dodged a lethal encounter on a Tripoli highway.
Libya’s political tension resembles a simmering pot threatening to boil over, with two rival governments in a stalemate over the country’s leadership. On one hand, there’s the GNU, anchored in Tripoli, managing western territories with U.N. acknowledgment. On the other, we see Osama Hamad’s government, appointed by the House of Representatives last year, which exercises control from Benghazi, overseeing the east and much of South Libya. This divide begs the question: When will Libyans see the dawn of stable governance?
Libya’s citizens yearn for the long-promised elections, hoping they will finally bridge the chasm of political and armed conflict that has marred their nation since the tumultuous fall of Moammar Gadhafi’s regime in 2011. Could such an electoral process be the panacea Libya desperately needs?
In the shadow of evolving geopolitical dynamics and local uncertainties, Juma’s assassination attempt is a stark reminder of the fragile path Libya treads towards its future. Robust as he might appear, Juma’s plight isn’t merely an isolated incident of violence but a microcosm of the broader struggles that Libyans face.
One wonders what tomorrow holds for a nation that stands on the precipice of change, with the world’s eyes turned towards the Mediterranean’s embattled heart. Despite the turmoil, there’s a persistent hope for a brighter, unified tomorrow—a Libya where peace and democracy reign supreme.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring
