The Administrative Court of Tripoli’s Court of Appeal issued a ruling on Monday to suspend the implementation of Decision No. 671/24, issued by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbaiba, which sought to merge Tawergha as a branch municipality of Misrata.
The court’s decision comes in response to an urgent appeal filed by the Tawergha Local Council in the administrative judiciary. Notifications will be sent to the Ministry of Local Governance, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Misrata Municipality to halt the enforcement of the contested decision.
In November, the Tawergha Local Council publicly rejected Dbaiba’s decision, arguing it undermines the community’s autonomy. The council, supported by local residents, community leaders, and civil society organizations, announced plans to challenge the move through legal channels. Monday’s court ruling reflects the culmination of their legal efforts.
The decision to merge Tawergha with Misrata has been met with widespread criticism from Tawergha residents, who see it as erasing their unique identity and sovereignty. Tawergha, a town deeply affected by Libya’s civil conflict, has faced numerous challenges in rebuilding and reintegrating its displaced population.
This suspension marks a significant development in the ongoing dispute over Tawergha’s administrative status. The ruling highlights the judicial system’s role in addressing controversial decisions by Libya’s Government of National Unity.
While the case remains unresolved, the court’s intervention underscores the need for careful consideration of local concerns and community representation in decisions affecting Libya’s municipalities.
