A Nation Full of ‘Generals,’ and No Real Leadership
This phrase is not satirical, although it comes across as nothing but satire in any imaginable context. Despite its mocking tone, it was actually used in a cheering narrative by government-aligned activists in Tripoli regarding a step rumored to be taken by the government in the coming days. While Libya sinks deeper into its chronic crises, these activists appear with exclusive news that the government and the Presidential Council are about to promote several officers one to the rank of Field Marshal and to create the post of “General Commander” of forces controlled by western Libya, assigning the new Field Marshal to that position. As if what we truly lack are military ranks, not the reckless expansion of handing them to just about anyone.
The decision itself is not shocking what is shocking is the media echo surrounding it, as though the country were on the verge of achieving a decisive military victory against a foreign enemy, rather than a maneuver within an internal, pointless conflict. If military ranks alone could solve crises, Libya would have been one of the most stable nations on earth today.
The first striking feature of this theatrical display is the contradiction of the power mouthpieces in the west. The same voices that viciously attacked the decision to appoint Khalifa Haftar as General Commander in the east labeling it illegal, contrary to military hierarchy, and claiming this position does not exist in Libyan military law are now cheering for an identical step in the west. So what changed?
This contradiction reflects not principle, but a precise embodiment of Libya’s entrenched culture of double standards, which has become a trademark of political discourse. The harsh truth is that both sides are playing the same game, seeking to construct parallel military realities not to heal division, but to entrench it.
The justification offered by some political circles is that this step aims to create balance ahead of unifying the military institution. But the question that imposes itself is: what kind of unification is built on establishing parallel and opposing structures? Real military unification requires serious dialogue and mutual concessions, not a race to slap patches on broken institutions and distribute inflated ranks. How can anyone discuss unifying the army while there exist two Field Marshals and two General Commanders? Who will accept their Field Marshal and Commander-in-Chief becoming subordinate to someone else’s? This is not preparing for unity it is cementing division under false slogans. We failed to unify the army under one Field Marshal how will we unify it under two?
The deeper problem is that this race may not stop at “Field Marshal.” Some in the east have long demanded promoting Haftar to the rank of Muhayeb (Grand Marshal). If Haftar and Aguila Saleh approve this and meet those demands what would the west do? Promote its new Field Marshal to Grand Marshal? Or invent the rank of God of War to take the lead? This is no longer distinguishable from an arms race except this time it is a race in inflated ranks, fake institutions, and shallow symbolism.
The greater danger in these promotions and invented posts lies in transforming the military institution from a national, unified body into a tool within the political conflict. Instead of being guardian of unity and stability, the army is recruited to serve narrow agendas.
This shift echoes what the UN Support Mission in Libya has repeatedly warned about in its reports stressing that fragile military balances remain a persistent threat to the political process. Likewise, the UN Security Council, in its press statement on 3 September 2025, advised Libyan parties to avoid unilateral actions that may endanger the fragile security situation.
History has shown that military solutions in Libya lead only to dead ends. After years of conflict, no side has managed to impose a decisive victory all the battles have produced is more death, destruction, civilian suffering, deeper fragmentation, and a culture of violence.
The real solution lies not in further fragmenting institutions, but in returning to dialogue. To sit at the table, we do not need matching ranks we need reconciling interests. We do not need multiple commanders we need wise leadership. What we failed to achieve with one Field Marshal, we will not achieve by adding another. What the General Command in the east failed to deliver, will not be attained by creating its twin in the west. We must stop this absurdity and listen to reason.
What Libya faces today is nothing but a continuation of the same absurd cycle that brought it here. Excessive military promotions and invented posts across east and west are merely another episode in the struggle for power and influence.
Libya’s problem is fundamentally political the solution will never be military. Libyans need brave leaders who put the nation above themselves, who are willing to compromise for unity not entrench division under any excuse.
The Libyan citizen does not want a savior Field Marshal or a miraculous Commander. All he wants is a dignified life in a stable country is anyone listening?