A number of users of the social networking site, Twitter accused Libya’s Foreign Minister, Najla Al-Mangoush, Libya’s Foreign Ministry, and the entire Government of National Unity (GNU) of corruption, and nepotism.
They criticized the appointment of relatives of senior government officials to prominent positions. As well as the appointment of a number of militia commanders in western Libya to leadership and diplomatic posts.
Blogger and journalist, Mohamed Bushqamah, asked Al-Mangoush: “Is the assignment of the Prime Minister’s nephew part of the attempt to combat corruption, mediation, and nepotism?”, in reference to the appointment of Salem Amdeqish as Libya’s Ambassador to Denmark.
However, instead of responding and trying to justify her position, the FM blocked Bushqamah from following her account. She also blocked dozens of accounts that asked the same question.
This led to anger among activists, who claimed that his question is an inherent right of every Libyan citizen, and that Al-Mangoush did not have a convincing answer.
On Thursday, the FM affirmed the government’s commitment to work alongside the country’s international partners in combating corruption.
“Corruption is a deadly scourge, and despite the current situation in our country, we affirm our commitment to work to combat it,” Al-Mangoush said in a tweet on the International Anti-Corruption Day.
The FM added that it is “not enough to fight corruption by only forming new bodies and organizations, but there must be a real will and unified efforts.”
Libya is set to hold national elections later this month, which is seen as crucial to ending its long-running civil war, but deep political divisions threaten to provoke a delay or renew violence.
Western officials have talked up a UN-led peace process, insisting on “inclusive” and “credible” elections on 24 December, despite serious disputes over how they should be held.
Libya’s electoral commission has said it is ready to organise the process. It has published an initial list of candidates, and handed out voting cards.