Member of the Council of Elders of Ghadames, Abu Bakr Omar Haroun, affirmed that the Dabdab border crossing with Algeria “remains closed, until a professional and national force is available to secure it.”
Haroun stated in press remarks, “Algerian authorities requested the continued closure of the crossing, due to the chaos caused by unknown-affiliated armed groups. The armed group that caused the chaos has mostly left the city, with some present in farms and border areas.”
“Emad Al-Trabulsi, the Interior Minister of the Government of National Unity (GNU) pledged that the management of the border crossings, and the security directorate would be entrusted to the people of Ghadames,” he added.
According to Haroun, Al-Trabulsi requested the municipality to train a number of youth to prepare them to take on local responsibilities. Meanwhile, the GNU’s Chief of Staff, Mohamed Al-Haddad pledged that a force from the army would be responsible for protecting the borders, away from regional and tribal affiliations.
Earlier this month, Libya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially announced the reopening of the Ghadames-Dabdab border crossing with Algeria.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations.
Libya’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya’s economy.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.
The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition.
Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.