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Libya: evacuating armed groups from Tripoli, an achievable challenge?
The Minister of the Interior of the Libyan “National Union” government is committed to this: the various armed groups deployed in the capital to ensure security will evacuate the premises by April 10, 2024, the date of the end of the Ramadan.
The announcement was made on February 21, during a press conference in Tripoli.
These militias and armed groups should give way, according to the minister, to the urban police, the security police and elements responsible for criminal investigations.
Will the announcement actually be implemented?
Elements of analysis.
Libyan security forces standing guard in Tripoli, Libya, August 16, 2023. © Yousef Murad / AP
By: Houda Ibrahim Follow
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, Imed Trabelsi, the Minister of the Interior of the “National Union” government is categorical: all armed groups will withdraw from the capital and will no longer have the possibility of setting up roadblocks in the streets, or at take care of security.
“
Their place will now be in their headquarters
,” said Trabelsi, explaining that “
the leaders of these groups have all shown understanding
.”
Among the groups whose evacuation has already begun, according to the minister, the General Security force, the Al-radaa deterrent force, which controls the east of the capital, brigade 444, which controls the south of Tripoli, and brigade 111, attached to the headquarters of the Western Army.
This decision also concerns the Stability Support Authority (SSA) based in the popular neighborhood of Abou Slim, as well as other smaller groups.
This old project echoes a strong expectation of residents, who have been victims for years of recurring fighting between opposing militias, including in the residential neighborhoods of the capital.
Tripoli residents are also victims on a daily basis of abuses by these militias deployed in all sectors of the capital and who act without control in the name of maintaining security.
This way of acting poisons the daily lives of populations, who hope that the words of those in power will be matched by actions.
Power and rivalries between militias
These influential groups are heavily armed and equipped.
They are, in theory, under the direct authority of the Ministries of the Interior or Defense.
Financed by public funds, they operate independently.
Their role has intensified in the absence of stable state institutions.
They gained even more importance when, in 2019, they together opposed Marshal
Khalifa Haftar
who had led an offensive to control Tripoli – an offensive which ended in failure.
Since 2021, the Tripoli militias have enjoyed an exceptional status.
These armed groups are in constant competition with each other for more power and influence.
Their rivalries often turn into clashes.
Last week, 17 members of a powerful militia were liquidated in cold blood and at point blank range by members of an opposing militia.
The UN has called for an investigation.
This “
violent incident
” confirms the “
concerns
” raised several times by the UN special representative in Libya, on the “
serious risks posed by rivalries between security groups
” and which continue to threaten the fragile security of Tripoli, a indicated the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (Manul).
This rivalry has also taken hold at the highest level of the state: some militias are loyal to the Minister of the Interior, others are loyal to the Ministry of Defense.
However, it is the Prime Minister himself who has held the position of Minister of Defense since taking power in March 2021.
Evacuation of Tripoli, but for what reward?
This announcement of the upcoming evacuation of militias from Tripoli comes following two major developments: the meeting for the first time of a UN special envoy to Libya with militia leaders.
At the end of last January, Abdoulaye Bathily spoke with around twenty leaders of these armed groups which control the capital.
A meeting which greatly irritated the eastern Libyan camp led by Marshal Khalifa Haftar who now speaks of the existence of an “
international plan aimed at legitimizing these militias
”.
In its press release, the UN mission in Libya defends itself by explaining that the aim of these meetings was to “
involve all effective Libyan parties in reconciliation efforts
”.
Another development, the recent statements to the press, by Prime Minister Dbeibah who spoke without complexes of the “
positive role
” of the militias affirming that he supported them: “
Their presence is a guarantee for security and stability in Libya
”.
He added: “
They are our children, they defended our honor, they defended our streets against the invader and against all those who want to destroy Libya.
»
The question of the dissolution of all militias, displayed in all Libyan political agreements, seems to no longer be on the agenda.
At least for the government led by Abdelhamid Dbeibah.
He still refuses to leave power while the UN is now convinced of the need to appoint another personality at the head of a unified government instead of the two currently in place in order to be able to organize the elections.
Read alsoLibya: Prime Minister Dbeibah wants to reinstate the monarchy to end the election imbroglio
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