With the creation of a new government, Libya’s leaders should finally be able to focus on organising the transition from the authoritarian state that they inherited to the more pluralistic one they envisage. But are they really able and willing to achieve that goal?

Gaddafi paid his own life for committing the sins of bad governance. The television picture of the man being dragged out of the gutters, beaten and shot by the rebel soldiers provided the majority of the Libyans with an immense source of rejoicing. For my part, I felt sad for the man whom I saw at a number of African Union summits and who had great dreams for Africa despite his megalomania. If only he had listened to the voice of reason and learned the ropes of good governance!