The Tunisian-Libyan Business Council has cautioned about the economic repercussions of the continued closure of the Ras Jedir border crossing from the Libyan side since March 18.
Trade between Tunisia and Libya has significantly stalled since the closure of the crossing, severely affecting Tunisia. According to the council’s president, Munir Qazm, various industrial and commercial activities across Tunisia’s regions have come to a halt.
Qazm noted that hospitals are also experiencing an unprecedented paralysis due to the border closure. He explained that the traffic at the Wazen-Alzahibah crossing serves no purpose due to its distance from the southern provinces.
“The southern regions of Tunisia are devoid of Libyans, confirming a significant economic paralysis in the area, which will have major implications for the rest of the provinces,” said Qazem.
Meanwhile, Mostafa Abdelkebir , president of the Tunisian Observatory for Human Rights, revealed that dozens of trucks are stranded at the Ras Jedir crossing. He pointed out that there has been no agreement reached in Libya to reopen the crossing, and there is no hope of resuming passage at the moment.
Abdelkebir stressed that despite the internal nature of the conflict, Tunisia must intervene diplomatically because the Ras Jedir border post is shared between Tunisia and Libya.
Earlier this week, a video that surfaced online showing armed Libyan factions associated with the Stability Support Agency, under the Libyan Presidential Council, issuing threats to invade Tunisian cities has elicited widespread denouncement.
This development occurred shortly after the group arrived at the Ras Jedir border crossing, leading to a significant uproar among the Tunisian public and swift condemnation from Libyan officials.
In the video circulated on social media, military vehicles adorned with the Stability Support Agency’s insignia were seen near the border, with armed individuals in uniform threatening an incursion into Tunisian territories, specifically targeting the cities of Gabes and Ben Gardane.
This aggressive rhetoric sparked immediate concern and outrage in Tunisia, with citizens viewing these actions as blatant disrespect and a direct threat to their sovereignty.
