The Tunisian-Libyan Business Council has warned of the economic repercussions of the continued closure of the Ras Jedir border crossing from the Libyan side since March 18 last year.
Council President Monir Qazem stated in press remarks stated that bilateral trade between Tunisia and Libya has experienced significant stagnation since the closure of the crossing, greatly affecting Tunisia. “Many sectors in various Tunisian governorate have halted their activities industrially and commercially,” the official said.
He further noted that hospitals are also experiencing unprecedented weakness due to the closure of the border crossing, explaining that the traffic at the Wazen-Zuwarah crossing is of no benefit due to its distance from the southern provinces of the country.
Mr. Qazem pointed out that the southern regions of Tunisia are devoid of Libyans, confirming a significant economic standstill in the zone, which he cautioned would seriously affect other regions.
At the moment, Mustafa Abdelkabir, the President of the Tunisian Observatory for Human Rights, stated in his press statements that dozens of trucks are stranded at the Ras Jedir crossing, indicating that there has been no agreement in Libya to reopen the crossing. He added that there is no hope of resuming crossing movements at any time soon. Several Groups from cities around the border area have for years controlled Ras Jedir, benefitting from the lucrative parallel border trade, preventing thousands of Tunisian families in the south also from make a living from the trade
You are aware that Libya has been mired in insecurity since 2011 NATO-backed uprising led to the overthrow of their former longtime President Muammar Gaddafi, and this split the nation between eastern and western factions, with rival administrations governing each area.
According to local media, armed clashes broke between armed groups who control Ras Jedir and security forces sent by Tripoli and this led the Tunisia government to close the crossing for the safety of citizens going to Libya according to according to Tunisia’s Tataouine Radio.
“This action carried out by these outlaw groups will not be tolerated, and legal measures and the most severe penalties will be taken against those involved,” the Tripoli-based ministry said, without giving further details. The border post in the desert area of Ras Jedir about 170 kilometers (105 miles) from the Libyan capital Tripoli, is the main crossing point between the two countries.
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