Surrounded by two popular revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, Libya, led an iron fist by Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, is contaminated in turn by fever cyberdissidence. For several weeks, the Libyan youth is now to harness the power of YouTube, Facebook and Twitter to express his opposition to the plan. An unprecedented event.
Since coming to power of the "Guide of the Libyan Jamahiriya" in 1969, the international community has difficulty obtaining credible and independent information from the North African state, long isolated diplomatically.But this week, the video sharing site online, YouTube has been flooded with images of amateur violent protests that took place during the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, Benghazi in the east. According to a latest report, 38 people were injured during the clashes.
Disseminated by the media, relayed by Internet
The videos have been broadcast by major international media and massively publicized on the web by Internet via Twitter and Facebook social networks on the eve of the "day of anger" that the Libyan dissidents have planned for this Thursday.
They have invited the public to take to the streets through a Facebook page titled "Revolt of February 17, 2011: Day of anger in Libya."Created on January 28 by Hassan al-Djahmi, a Libyan dissident living in exile in Switzerland, the group has far more than 14,000 fans.
"The Internet has played a decisive role in spreading the spirit of dissent in Libya, says Guma el Gamaty, a Libyan writer based in London. Over the last two months, the number of young people who have joined Facebook groups and network Twitter has exploded. They are tens of thousands to connect to discuss and organize on Twitter, "he says.
The telecom network controlled by the son of Gaddafi
Like many countries in the region, Libya has a very young population. Nearly 33% of the 6.5 million inhabitants are under 14 years.But unlike Egypt, which, with its 80 million inhabitants, remains the most populous Arab country, Libya, benefited by strong oil reserves, has managed to secure a higher standard of living for its people and maintain low prices for basic commodities. "But the lack of infrastructure that the penetration of the Internet is not very high," notes El-Gamaty.
And for good reason, much of the infrastructure of the Libyan Jamahiriya, governed by an unusual cocktail of socialism and Islam, was nationalized and controlled by a clique of relatives of Colonel Gaddafi.The pattern of state-owned telecoms companies - Libyana and Al Madar, who provide mobile telephony services and Internet access - is none other than Mohammed Moammar Gadhafi, the eldest son of the "guide".
Twitter to the rescue
Therefore, access to certain Web sites and remains closely controlled by Tripoli. "Three months ago, they blocked the YouTube website, like Facebook for a while instead.It is expected that they all begin again by cutting the internet connection altogether in the coming days, "said Mojahed Bossisy, a Libyan journalist based in Qatar.
Despite the censorship, the Twitter site, particularly used by the Tunisian and Egyptian dissidents, remains functional. On the eve of the "day of rage", many Internet users are used to indicate to the Libyans to take steps to avoid a potential deadlock.
Rap anti-Gaddafi
In addition, the site Libyan Khalas! ("Enough"), launched in 2009 by Libyan exiles in the United States, participates fully in the campaign of opposition against the dictatorial regime of Gaddafi, he denounces in English and Arabic.This particular site has provided a forum for Ben Thabet rapper, songwriter incendiary against the regime, which called on Libyans to revolt and revolution inspired by the Tunisian.
Most observers agree, however, suggest a scenario of escalation to the Egyptian or Tunisian is unlikely in the Libyan Jamahiriya. "Zero tolerance applied by the scheme does not permit the emergence of organized opposition or recognized.Nor is there civil institutions, trade unions, freedom of speech or press, "explains El-Gamaty.
However, there are a multitude of ingredients that can keep the wind of revolt in Libya: the young population, high unemployment, widespread corruption of the regime, a weak health system and widespread resentment within population. El-Gamaty is one of the many Libyan dissidents who recognize that it will be difficult to make a revolution, but not impossible.
In "Al-Soal" ("The Question"), Ben Thabet sings: "There are several reasons why the Libyans should revolt. Perhaps it is not next week or the one after, but it will happen .One day it will happen. "
