Fifteen years after Muammar al-Gaddafi was captured in Misrata in October 2011, his supporters continue to search for a political successor. The death of his son Saif al-Islam in Zintan last February extinguished hopes of a revival that had emerged following his 2021 presidential bid. According to Asharq Al-Awsat, this loss left the loyalist movement without a central figure capable of uniting its base, creating a significant political vacuum among those who rallied around the former regime.
Political analyst Hossam Fenaish noted that attention is now turning to Gaddafi’s surviving children, specifically Aisha, Al-Saadi and Mohammed. He observed that Hannibal appears to have the weakest prospects, while two other sons, Khamis and Saif al-Arab, died during the 2011 uprising. In September, supporters began promoting Aisha on social media, citing an online poll that reportedly placed her ahead of rivals, though the methodology remained unverified. Aqila Dalhoum of the National Truth Committee suggested the interest in her reflects both the family's symbolic appeal and frustration with Libya's current crises.
Aisha has largely stayed out of public politics, residing in Oman and focusing on visual art. However, not all loyalists agree with the push for her candidacy; a former army spokesman described the campaign as an individual initiative rather than a collective decision, noting that no consensus candidate has yet emerged. He argued that choosing a representative should begin with a family decision, followed by consultations within the movement, before voters make a final choice.
Other family members are also in the mix. Al-Saadi, who lives in Türkiye, recently stated on X that he prefers an ordinary life over political office. Meanwhile, Mohammed, the eldest son, has resurfaced on social media to press for transparency in Saif al-Islam's murder investigation. Some activists, however, view his potential entry into politics as premature, while others argue that Gaddafi’s legacy belongs to anyone who shares his pan-Arab values rather than just his bloodline.