Hundreds of Libyans gathered in the town of Bani Walid on Friday for the funeral of Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, the son of former dictator Muammar Gadhafi, who was shot dead in Zintan earlier in the week.
The 47-year-old, once positioned as a potential successor to his father, was killed by unidentified gunmen at his home on Tuesday. His half-brother, Mohamed Gaddafi, confirmed via Facebook that Bani Walid, a town south of Tripoli known for its loyalty to the Gadhafi family, was chosen for the burial out of respect for its historical significance.
Gadhafi’s death reopens wounds from Libya’s turbulent recent history. During his father’s repressive rule, Seif al-Islam cultivated an international profile as a reform-minded figure despite holding no formal office. However, that image collapsed during the 2011 uprising, where he famously threatened “rivers of blood.” Following his father’s ousting and killing that year, Seif al-Islam was arrested on an International Criminal Court warrant for crimes against humanity and later sentenced to death by a Tripoli court, though he was subsequently granted amnesty. He had been preparing a presidential run before elections were indefinitely postponed.
His killing highlights Libya’s ongoing fragmentation. The country remains divided between the UN-backed Government of National Unity, led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah in Tripoli, and an eastern administration allied with military commander Khalifa Haftar. Dbeibah condemned the assassination, stating it would not bring stability but “deepen division.” He reaffirmed a commitment to a state governed by law, where disputes are resolved through dialogue and popular will.
Interior Minister Imad Trabelsi said local authorities in Baniwalid would secure the funeral. A criminal investigation is ongoing, with assailants still at large.
The funeral in a pro-Gadhafi stronghold underscores persistent regional loyalties that challenge national unity. Seif al-Islam is survived by four siblings: Mohamed, Saadi, Aicha, and Hannibal, recently released on bail in Lebanon.
His death removes a controversial but recognizable figure from Libya’s political landscape, leaving unresolved questions about justice, reconciliation, and the country’s ability to overcome the divisions rooted in the 2011 civil war. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the instability and vigilantism that continue to plague the nation over a decade after the revolution.
