The latest escalation in Tripoli — the capital of Libya — has led to a concern. According to multiple sources including the BBC, armed conflicts took place in Libya this month between two influential militias tied to the interim government, leading to the death of 55 people. The clashes took place between the 444 Brigade, affiliated with the Libyan defense ministry, and the Special Deterrence Force, linked to the presidency council, when the latter arrested Colonel Mohmoud Hamza, the commander of the former. Though a ceasefire was quickly reached in coordination with Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeiba and Colonel Mohmoud Hamza was released later, the infrequent fighting may be a reminder of the difficulty in reaching political solutions to armed conflicts in Libya.
It is notable that armed conflicts in Libya, where seven million people have already suffered through uneasy ceasefires and fighting among competing groups, have been mainly between the internationally recognized Government of National Accord and the rival force led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, until the establishment of the interim Government of National Unity in 2021. There are also several factions and armed groups with different political ideologies and objectives. Several mediation efforts made to establish an elected and unified national government have failed to bring political solutions to the Libyan civil war. A 2020 ceasefire has brought peace in Libya but a promising UN-backed plan to hold elections in 2021 was postponed indefinitely. The complex nature of the conflicts, involving entrenched factionalism on all conflicting sides, and several other factors repeatedly threaten to upset any peace effort in Libya.
Though frequent armed conflicts have notably reduced to only several clashes in recent years and the latest Tripoli conflict has taken place following months of relative peace after nearly a decade of civil war in Libya, where rival parties are locked in a political stalemate, infrequent conflicts including the latest one —which clearly indicate the unstable condition of the security situation and the absence of command and control over the dispersed security equipment — may thwart the recent appreciable gains with local and international efforts in terms of stability and progress toward possible elections based solutions. Also, sporadic clashes that undermine continuing efforts to create a security condition that is conducive to elections underscore the importance of the establishment of legitimate authorities through credible elections at the earliest time.
It is definitely desired that efforts be strengthened to reach peaceful political solutions in Libya. Ceasefires need to be strictly maintained by all the parties including the parties within the interim government. A variety of measures including the reunification of military and security institutions and elections are also crucial. But elections need to be held at the earliest possible time. The resolution of all the election related disputes including the draft electoral laws prepared by the Joint Committee of the two Chambers of the Libyan legislative body, the Senate and the House of Representatives, is crucial through discussions among the parties. The cooperation of all the parties for a legitimate transition of power in Libya is also crucial.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
