The Director of the Ras Jedir border crossing between Tunisia and Libya, Saifaw Mazida detailed the reasons behind its sudden closure on Thursday.
According to statements published on the Fawasel platform, Mazida explained that the Tunisian side closed the border on Wednesday. He mentioned, “From 10 am to 2 pm on Thursday, only four cars were allowed to pass through.”
Mazida highlighted concerns about the Tunisian authorities turning back Libyan citizens, even in the face of urgent medical cases. Justifications provided by the Tunisian side included issues like the suspension of the passport system, and a malfunction of the inspection scanner.
The director of the Ras Jedir border crossing emphasised that these interruptions led to travellers facing extended delays, with many waiting for hours in the scorching heat.
This incident underscores the delicate balance and ongoing challenges in managing cross-border travel between the two nations.
In May, a meeting was held at the crossing to address overcrowding and improve services for citizens. Led by Wissam Khalifa Al-Idrisi, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport for Ministerial Affairs, the meeting was attended by top officials, including Fadlallah Al-Shalawi, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport for Land Transport Affairs, and Salah Ali, the Head of the Centre for Management and Operation of Land Ports.
According to Siraj Al-Hamal, the Director of the Information Office at the Ministry of Transport, the government is committed to equipping the border crossing with advanced technologies to reduce congestion, and improve the movement of goods and people between the two countries. The Ministry has also developed a plan to increase the crossing’s capacity and improve the facilities surrounding it.
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, each backed by rogue militias and foreign governments.
The current stalemate grew out of the failure to hold elections in December 2021, and the refusal of Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba, who is leading the transitional government, to step down.
