If strongman governance is the only viable option, then it was never getting off the ground to begin with.

Its not 'strongman governance' its 'leadership'. Someone needs to step up.

In this case, someone did, the strongman. Nobody was willing to accept his leadership though. A rebel leader was born, then, in the fashion of these sorts of leaders, immediately abdicated his responsibility by allowing the would-be strongman to abscond with the group's efforts. Rebel leaders are reactive rather than proactive.

This group was never getting off the ground. Leaders have to be ready to fight for the survival of the group. Where there's a lack of true leadership, strongmen fill the void.