Libyan Parties Agree to Reopen Ras Ajdir Border Crossing
Libyan Parties Reach Agreement to Reopen Ras Ajdir Border Crossing
According to sources, Libyan parties have reached an agreement to reopen the Ras Ajdir border crossing with Tunisia within days. The crossing was closed last week due to armed clashes between residents of the town of Zuwara and security forces. The Supreme Council of the Amazigh of Libya, which represents the people of Zuwara, has reportedly reached a consensus with the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity. The agreement includes the temporary dispatch of military forces to the border crossing to stabilize the situation.
The agreement stipulates that only local Zuwara military personnel will be deployed at the crossing. The Government of National Unity will send seven battalions to Ras Ajdir, according to a leaked document. Currently, the border crossing remains closed with a minimal presence of local security forces loyal to the Tripoli-based government. Travelers between Libya and Tunisia are advised to use the Dehiba-Wazin crossing further to the south.
Last week’s armed confrontations are the latest in a series of conflicts in Libya since the toppling of dictator Muammar al-Qaddafi in 2011. These conflicts have resulted in the shutdown of key infrastructure, including oilfields, government buildings, airports, and major roads. The approach of having a majority of locals in charge of the towns on both sides of the border had been favored due to strong tribal affiliations. Zuwara, in particular, has a majority of Amazigh, the native inhabitants of North Africa, who maintain their own language and traditions.
However, the recent takeover of the Ras Ajdir border crossing by Interior Minister Imad Trabelsi’s forces has disrupted the stability of the border. Othman Ben Sassi, a former member of Libya’s disbanded post-2011 National Transitional Council, believes that this sudden change has made it difficult for security forces on both sides to identify potential risks and maintain stability. He emphasized the need for the border crossing to be sovereign and abide by the rule of law.
Currently, the situation in Zuwara is stable, according to a local security officer. With the agreement in place, it is hoped that the reopening of the Ras Ajdir border crossing will contribute to the stability and security of the region.
