Conflict in Libya

Libya has been in continuous civil conflict since the Arab uprisings in 2011. As of July 2019, it has suffered from recurring cycles of social, political, security, and economic crises that reinforce one another. This has led to increasingly weak state institutions and a deteriorating national economy, all of which have facilitated fragmentation, disunity, and the creation of

fertile grounds for continued violence and a war-driven economy. Despite national and international initiatives to achieve national reconciliation, Libya has been unable to turn its initials-2011 revolutionary success into a transition to a stable and inclusive system. Indeed, political polarization escalated into an open armed confrontation in July 2014, leading to the establishment of parallel and rival governance structures and making reunification a major challenge.

The later months of 2019 and early 2020 have brought increasing levels of threats that would complicate the situation in Libya. Regional competition among countries, such as Egypt and Turkey, is spilling over to domestic politics in Libya.

Given the social composition of its society, the stabilization of Libya requires the consolidation of peace between its politically polarized groups, without the exclusion of any given party in the conflict. Negotiated settlements are vital for preventing the toll of the conflict on the already fragile state institutions, the economy, and the depletion of Libya’s financial reserves. That some local ceasefire agreements are already in place indicates that there is space for resolving disputes through dialogue.

Strengthening social cohesion has become an imperative of the 21st century. As we move into the 2020s, widespread concern exists about worsening conditions of conflict that threaten respect for diversity, inclusivity, and fundamental human rights. A sharpening of identity-based tensions, such as ethnic and religious enmity, and re-surgent, exclusive nationalism, underlie these conflicts.