Al-Hashemi Dakhil, a member of the Council of Elders and Notables of Zawiya, confirmed that the city is one of the most influential in the Libyan landscape and had a direct role in the February 17 revolution. He noted that it is “the focus of all parties” and that its history shows it to be “the city rebellious against regimes and even against itself.” This came during the “Hawareyat Al-Laila” (Tonight’s Dialogue) program on the “Libya Al-Ahrar” channel.
Roots of the Crisis after 2011 and its Repercussions
Dakhil explained that the current conflicts are the result of the absence of factors that should have been present since the end of the 2011 war, through the elections, and what followed in terms of monopolizing power and attempts to bypass the will of the people. This has led to economic and social problems that have accumulated over the past years.
The Citizen Between a “Rock and a Hard Place”
He stated that the ordinary citizen is now caught “between a rock and a hard place,” stressing the importance of re-educating people that what is happening is the result of wrong choices and the marginalization of expertise, in addition to tribal interference in selecting individuals based on affiliations rather than competence, which allows private and partisan interests to influence the city’s course.
Political Tensions and Security Repercussions
He pointed out that Zawiya has been affected by the spread of drugs and stimulants, and that the political tensions within it reflect Libya’s conflicts in general, with alliances following the February, Karama, September, and National currents. He noted that the influx of money and weapons has driven each party to seek dominance over local authority.
The Lasting Impact of Conflicts on Youth and Mental Health
He said that involvement in armed conflicts for more than 14 years has affected the youth and their mental states. The state was supposed to establish institutions for treatment, but this did not happen. Furthermore, local and international organizations have not effectively contributed to supporting human rights or alleviating these problems.
Security Responsibilities and the Dilemma of State Institutions
He explained that the Zawiya Security Directorate reports to the Ministry of Interior and is responsible for any shortcomings. However, the problem lies with higher state institutions that “do not want reform or stability in the western region,” which contributes to portraying Zawiya as a “rogue” city.
Overlapping Jurisdictions and Weak Capabilities
He highlighted the overlapping jurisdictions of military and security institutions and the chaos it causes, pointing out that traffic police have not been supplied with necessary uniforms or vehicles within the city under the pretext that it is “outside state control.”
Developmental Marginalization and Imbalanced Resource Distribution
He added that Zawiya has been neglected in terms of development and investment, as budgets have been concentrated in the south, east, and some western cities, reflecting the government’s weak ability to distribute wealth and create job opportunities.
The Possibility of Restoring Security… on the Condition of Parallel Development
He affirmed that addressing the security situation, similar to what was done in Tripoli, is possible if security measures are coupled with developmental steps and the resumption of strategic projects stalled since 2011. This would also require the contribution of elders, sheikhs, and the city’s residents in awareness efforts to ensure stability.
Illegal Immigration… A File with External Influence
He explained that a proposal for the illegal immigration file was presented by experts in DNA fingerprinting and genetics to the government and the Presidential Council. However, it is a “large file managed from outside Libya with money being pumped into it,” which complicates addressing it internally.