Badr Al-Din Al-Tumi, the Local Governance Minister of Libya’s outgoing Government of National Unity (GNU) called on European countries to provide funding for investment in the southern Mediterranean region, focusing on infrastructure, transportation, education, and healthcare.
This came during Al-Tumi’s participation in the third edition of the “Looking South” International Forum held in Sorrento, Italy, on Friday and Saturday. He emphasised the need to enhance commercial cooperation and take advantage of Italy’s “Mattei” initiative to stem migration flows from African countries. Al-Tumi urged the development of executable plans to ensure the initiative meets its objectives.
The Local Governance Minister highlighted that the “Looking South” initiative can be instrumental in connecting the northern and southern regions, contributing to value chain integration and achieving industrial and service sector complementarities, thereby boosting the local economies of Mediterranean countries.
Al-Tumi also noted Libya’s progress in its decentralization project, emphasizing the activation of municipalities and empowering them to manage their various functions. He highlighted the municipalities’ ability to collect and utilize local financial resources, granting them a high degree of administrative and financial autonomy.
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.
