IDRIS I

Idris I was born on March 12, 1889, in Al-Jaghbub, the headquarters of the Senussi movement. His lineage tied him closely to the Senussi Order, a Sufi movement founded by his grandfather, Sayyid Muhammad ibn Ali as-Senussi. Idris was raised in an environment steeped in Islamic revivalist teachings, with a family that claimed descent from the Prophet Muhammad. The Senussi movement, influential across North Africa, established a political and social framework in Cyrenaica that unified local tribes and managed religious, economic, and military matters. This influence laid the groundwork for Idris’s eventual leadership role.

In 1916, Idris became the head of the Senussi Order after his cousin, Sayyid Ahmed Sharif es Senussi, abdicated. His leadership was soon recognized by the British, who granted him the title of Emir of Cyrenaica. In 1920, Italy, then colonizing Libya, acknowledged his role by giving him a monthly stipend and control over certain regions, with the understanding that he would disband local military units—a stipulation Idris did not fully honor. His leadership style prioritized negotiation and alliances, marking a shift from militant opposition to strategic diplomacy. This approach enabled him to establish a tacit alliance with the British, helping him to navigate his relationship with colonial powers as he sought to maintain autonomy for Cyrenaica.

As Mussolini's fascist regime gained power, Idris foresaw that Italy might retaliate against the Senussi for their resistance efforts. Fearing for his people’s safety, he went into exile in Egypt in 1922, a decision that ultimately safeguarded the movement’s continuity. Back home, Italian forces aggressively subdued the Libyan resistance, devastating Cyrenaica’s population through internment, mass executions, and economic exploitation. Yet Idris never wavered in his commitment to his people, and he continued to support the British during World War II, with the hope that an Allied victory would bring freedom to Libya.

With the defeat of Italian forces in the war, Libya came under British and French control, sparking discussions on the country's future. Idris played a pivotal role in the push for independence, despite international debates over whether Libya would become a unified state or fall under different foreign trusteeships. In 1949, the British declared Cyrenaica’s independence, and shortly thereafter, the United Nations mandated Libya’s independence by 1952. Idris was chosen as king of the new nation, reluctantly accepting the role in the face of strategic pressures from both the United Kingdom and the United States, who were keen to prevent Soviet influence in the region.

On December 24, 1951, Idris proclaimed the United Kingdom of Libya. Libya, however, was one of the poorest countries in the world, facing a destroyed infrastructure, widespread illiteracy, and high unemployment. In a federal system, Idris governed from a diwan, or royal council, balancing powers among Libya's provinces. This setup left Libya with a weak central government and strong regional autonomy, a structure that faced continual friction.

Idris’s reign was defined by his restrained approach to power. He insisted that his portrait not appear on Libyan currency and prohibited the naming of any public spaces after him, except the Tripoli airport. With Western aid, Libya began to develop, particularly after the discovery of oil, which transformed its economy. However, Idris’s close alignment with the West contrasted with the rising tide of Arab nationalism. His government prohibited political parties and controlled election nominations, fueling dissatisfaction among those who sought a more assertive, independent Libya.

Idris’s leadership style, blending humility with strategic conservatism, brought stability and growth to Libya, but his stance on political reform left the country vulnerable to internal discord. His rule came to an abrupt end in 1969 when a coup d'état led by Muammar Gaddafi overthrew the monarchy, ending his 18-year reign and ushering in a new era for Libya.

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idris_I_of_Morocco