Libya in 2024: Stability Swallows the Illusions of the Muslim Brotherhood
The year 2024, which is nearing its end, has witnessed many pivotal events in Libya, with major changes making this year the epitome of stability, development, and reconstruction for the Libyan people, on one hand, and the year of pain, divisions, and the end of illusions for Libya’s Muslim Brotherhood and militias, on the other.
At the beginning of this year, a large-scale reconstruction campaign was launched, which included the development and construction of infrastructure and its maintenance in the East and South. Consequently, both local and foreign companies flocked to the cities of the East and South to invest in all infrastructure and sectors.
The climate of stability and security enjoyed by the East and South of Libya has also created a fertile environment for international investment and reconstruction, whose horizons have expanded, attracting the attention of many of the world’s major economies.
Carrying the Torch to the West
The major successes achieved by the Libya Development and Reconstruction Fund encouraged the extension of projects to other regions, including the western region, despite the present security challenges.
The director of the Libya Development and Reconstruction Fund, Engineer Belkacem Haftar, promised in a meeting with the mayors of western municipalities to address all the essential needs of these municipalities in terms of education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Strengthening the Army and Security
The year 2024 was also marked by continued efforts by the Libyan Army to rebuild and strengthen a climate of security, safety, and stability. Thus, the city of Benghazi saw, for the first time, the opening of the “Sky Dive Benghazi” tower for aerial sports, within the Rapid Intervention Brigade (87), dependent on the Army’s General Headquarters.
The Libyan Army is also continuing to enhance the operational efficiency of its troops in order to guarantee security across many programs, the latest of which was the opening of a training program for crews of 122 D-30 and 130 M-46 cannons at the Artillery and Missiles School in Benghazi. These training sessions aim to modernize and develop the technical and tactical capabilities of the troops.
The Reconciliation Process Progresses
This year, the Libyan authorities undertook several measures to support the national reconciliation process, one of the main commitments arising from the Berlin Agreement. Among these significant measures was the signing of a reconciliation pact between the Toubou and Arab communities in the city of Murzuq, in southern Libya, putting an end to years of conflict between them last September.
The Libyan parliament is currently discussing the national reconciliation bill, especially after the parliament’s president, Aguila Saleh, announced the intention of the parliament to enact a law on transitional justice and national reconciliation, following discussions and dialogues between various Libyan social components.
According to Saleh, this law is based on principles of fair justice and reparations for victims, with a view to completing social and legal reconciliation. He clarified that its implementation will resolve many pending issues and unite the people around a common vision.
The Fall of Militia Leaders
The year also saw the fall of the main militia leaders, with the departure of most of them from the scene. The fatal blow came when internationally wanted militia leader, Abdelrahman Milad, alias “Bija,” listed on the sanctions lists of the International Criminal Court and the European Union, was killed at the beginning of last September.
This provoked great discontent in Tripoli, Zawiya, and the surrounding areas. The situation only calmed after the arrest of militia leader Mohamed Bahroun, alias “Al-Far,” who was sought by the public prosecutor in several cases, including for his collaboration with members of the Daesh organization before his downfall in Sabratha.
Division of the Muslim Brotherhood
Within the Muslim Brotherhood group, several disputes erupted, leading to direct confrontations and internal divisions, particularly over the presidency of the Libyan High Council of State, a struggle for power that reached an unprecedented level. This conflict was exacerbated by unilateral actions that led to the splitting of the council.
Council members Khaled Mishri and Mohamed Takala, both former presidents of the council and affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, insisted on being elected president. The UN mission in Libya has attempted to end this conflict with mediation efforts, but no resolution has been found so far.
Elections without the Muslim Brotherhood
The major event of this year was the holding, for the first time in a decade, of municipal elections in 58 Libyan municipalities on November 16, with a voter turnout of 77.2% of registered voters.
No major electoral fraud was recorded, except in the municipality of Chouaïr, in western Libya, where the election results were annulled. This success in organizing the elections, without notable flaws, reflected the popular desire to participate in the upcoming general, legislative, and presidential elections, despite attempts by the Muslim Brotherhood and militias to disrupt them.
Calls for Discord
The Muslim Brotherhood group continued to make destructive attempts to reignite conflicts among the Libyans and thwart efforts for national unity and reconciliation. The Brotherhood preacher, Sadek Al-Gharyani, called for chaos in the country, urging Libyans to take to the streets to repeat the events of 2011 and 2012 under the pretext of demanding elections and a referendum on the constitution, which he has always rejected.
End of Crises
The year 2024 also marked the end of the crisis at the Central Bank of Libya, which had witnessed several divisions over the past years. Libyan factions succeeded, under the auspices of the United Nations, in appointing a new governor and forming a new board for the bank, which took office and resolved the pending crises.
Similarly, the Administrative Court resolved two ongoing crises in Libya, rejecting unilateral decisions deemed unfounded for the withdrawal of assets or changes in the boards of directors of two Libyan institutions.
Recovery of the Oil Sector
Economically, the Libyan oil sector continued to achieve many advances, thanks to the desire of the National Oil Corporation to reach daily production levels sufficient to ensure the country’s economic stability.
The recorded readings reached a record level, with a daily production of 1,374,118 barrels of crude oil and condensates, and 202,983 barrels of gas, totaling 1,577,101 barrels, a level not reached in over ten years, according to the National Oil Corporation.
Oil revenues represent about 95% of Libya’s budget, which means that factions fighting for power since 2011 resort to closing oil fields to exert pressure.
Libya also hosted the main event of the oil and gas sector at the Expo Libya Exhibition Center in Benghazi from November 25 to 28, 2024, where this fair brought together leaders and experts from the sector to discuss the latest innovations in this essential industry.
