Author: Tarek Megerisi
Affiliation: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Organization/Publisher: Africa Center for Strategic Studies
Pub. Date/Place: May 18, 2020/ Washington DC, USA
Type of Literature: Analysis
Number of Pages: 10
Link: https://africacenter.org/publication/geostrategic-dimensions-libya-civil-war/
Key Words: Libya, Haftar, Seraj, War
Brief:
This analysis argues that while Libya became a geostrategic theatre for external competitors, the only solution for de-escalation must be through the UN supported by non-aligned states. Since the Arab uprising, Libya has known an internationalized conflict presented in external actors coalescing in local actors. The internationalization of the conflict in Libya has complicated the UN’s initiatives for stabilization and posed a big problem to international security. Libya’s geostrategic position with external actors’ different agendas points to an escalation of a destructive conflict. To avoid any protracted conflict in the country and to end the Libyans’ plight, the author suggests the following: The UN must be the only device for settlement; do not consider Haftar as a viable alternative; Europeans must be unified for one policy toward the conflict in Libya; enforce international norms to end the escalation; a national ceasefire must be resilient through local ceasefire.
By: Imad Atoui, CIGA Research Associate