The Kufra Municipality has announced a temporary suspension of truck traffic traveling to and from Chad through the municipality’s jurisdiction, citing serious security concerns related to the safety of Libyan citizens abducted inside Chadian territory.
The decision was taken as a precautionary and temporary measure, pending assurances regarding the security and safety of residents of Al-Kufra who were reportedly kidnapped in Chad.
The move followed an emergency meeting attended by the mayor of Kufra, local security officials, and tribal elders and community leaders. The meeting was convened in response to reports of the abduction and torture of several Kufra residents inside Chad.
Participants in the meeting strongly condemned the kidnapping and mistreatment of the Libyan citizens, describing the incident as a clear violation of human rights and human dignity. They called on the Chadian authorities to assume full responsibility for protecting Libyan nationals on their territory and to take urgent steps to ensure their safety and prevent any further harm.
The meeting stressed the importance of coordinated action between the municipality, security agencies, and community leaders to pursue the case through all legitimate means until tangible results are achieved that guarantee the security of the affected citizens.
Officials and elders also emphasized that the security and stability of the region are a red line, warning that no tolerance will be shown toward any actions that threaten public safety or social peace.
The municipality underlined that the suspension of truck movement is intended solely to protect lives, uphold human dignity, and preserve regional stability, while reaffirming its commitment to pursuing responsible solutions that safeguard good-neighborly relations between Libya and Chad.
The situation has heightened concerns in southeastern Libya, where cross-border movement plays a critical economic role, but authorities insist that citizen safety remains the top priority.
