In Libya’s quest for stability, the focus has shifted towards the critical process of disarming and reintegrating armed factions, a strategy crucial for the nation’s peace and stability. Abdoulaye Bathily, the UN Envoy to Libya, has been actively urging the country’s rival factions to collaborate towards reaching a consensus on national elections, a key step in the nation’s journey to peace.
Despite a ceasefire in 2020, efforts to hold national elections have been repeatedly stalled, with persistent divisions between major factions like the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, and the Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli, under Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba.
As the path to elections remains uncertain, experts and analysts are focusing on programs aimed at demobilizing, disarming, and reintegrating (DDR) members of armed groups, back into civilian society. These efforts are seen as foundational for breaking the cycle of conflict, and fostering long-term stability. However, since 2015, DDR initiatives in Libya have largely been inactive.
Mona Yacoubian of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) highlights the significance of DDR in advancing peace, and economic stability in Libya. Tim Eaton, a senior researcher at Chatham House, underscores the importance of understanding the local dynamics for effective DDR, particularly in cities like Misrata, Zawiya, and Zintan, where armed groups have complex histories of alliance and opposition, since the 2011 uprising against Moammar Gadhafi.
Eaton’s research reveals that these groups, some of which have gained state affiliation, and established direct ties with Libyan intelligence, often operate in a grey area between official security roles and organized crime. This complexity adds difficulty to the DDR process, which seeks to reintegrate these fighters into civilian life.
Despite the challenges, there is a push to advance DDR in Libya, with the Ministry of Labour developing a program, and international actors exploring “pre-DDR” measures. However, Eaton notes the absence of a comprehensive security sector reform in Libya, which limits the scope of DDR efforts.
Libya’s decade-long instability has been marked by the emergence of various armed factions, each with its own agenda and regional influence.
The involvement of these groups in state functions, and illicit activities complicates their disengagement and reintegration.
DDR, while critical, requires a nuanced approach that acknowledges the unique socio-political landscape of Libya. The success of DDR is tied to broader efforts in national reconciliation, security sector reform, and stable governance.
Libya stands at a crossroads, with DDR emerging as a key element in its path towards sustainable peace. The international community and Libyan authorities face the challenge of navigating these complex dynamics, essential steps for a peaceful future.