Under the title "Mystery and 'Manipulation of the Masses'... This is the Secret Behind Qaddafi Appearing Like His Father," the Arabic news site reported that just two days ago, Saif Al-Islam Qaddafi surprised many Libyans and others around the world by making a public appearance in Sebha, announcing his candidacy for the presidential elections in the country. The 49-year-old scion of the former regime appeared in traditional brown attire, reminiscent of the last speech delivered by his father, Colonel Muammar Qaddafi, over ten years ago, indirectly threatening and warning through the use of a Quranic verse.
**Exploiting Nostalgia**
Analysts confirmed that Qaddafi's son, who had not been seen publicly for nearly ten years, deliberately aimed to exploit the nostalgia some from eastern Libya feel for the period before the 2011 uprising, according to Reuters. Saif Al-Islam himself previously hinted at his strategy for engaging with "the masses" during his famous interview with The New York Times last July. He intentionally created a mysterious image during that interview, refusing to allow the journalist, who met him in Zintan, to take a clear photo of him and insisted on covering part of his face.
**Playing with Minds**
In justifying his stance, he said at the time, "I want people to know that I have truly appeared, so they say 'this is the man, but he is not clear like a shadow or a spirit.'" He added, "I want them to say he is not sick, but strong, yet mysterious." He further commented, "I have stayed away from the Libyan people for ten years; therefore, I must return slowly and with intrigue." He amusingly and somewhat conspiratorially stated, "You need to play with their minds a little."
Saif intentionally kept his appearance short and refrained from delivering a long speech or holding a press conference. Despite this tactic and the popularity he still enjoys among supporters of the former regime, some analysts believe that the prominent figure in the country, despite his years of absence, may not be a leading candidate in the election race. This is particularly true after military prosecution requested to suspend his candidacy, along with that of National Army Commander Khalifa Haftar, until they comply with an investigation.
**Legal Issues Persist**
In addition to objections from several armed groups and tribes in the west of the country regarding his candidacy, he still faces legal challenges and an indictment from the International Criminal Court, looming over him, despite the election commission announcing that Saif Al-Islam has fulfilled the "legal requirements" for the formal submission of his candidacy.
It is noteworthy that an armed group had arrested Saif Al-Islam at the end of 2011, and he was then transferred to Zintan, where he was tried before the Libyan judiciary. In 2015, he was sentenced to "death" by firing squad for his involvement in committing war crimes to suppress the uprising that overthrew his father's regime. However, this sentence was never carried out. The armed group that held him announced in 2017 his release according to the controversial "general amnesty" law issued by Parliament at that time.
However, his release did not follow the judicial procedures stipulated by the general amnesty law, as the Ministry of Justice or the Supreme Court (the highest judicial authority) did not issue any official decisions lifting the sentences against him. The international arrest warrant issued against him remains "in effect" to this day. The International Criminal Court confirmed on Sunday that the arrest warrant against him is still valid. A spokesperson for the court, Fadi Abdullah, stated, "Saif Al-Islam Qaddafi's status in the court remains unchanged; he is wanted according to the warrant issued in 2011," according to Agence France-Presse.
For all these reasons, many observers believe that Saif Al-Islam's candidacy for the presidential elections will increase the "fragility" of the entire electoral process!
