Political Murzuq Economy Governmental Oversight Social
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PREFATORY NOTE: These city profiles were prepared by Libya Aqaleem in February 2021, and were accurate as of those dates. We believe the information here offers useful reference points for understandinG Libya on a more nuanced level than is possible from breakinG news reports. However, readers should be aware that facts on the ground continue to shift quickly at the time of publication and therefore some information may become outdated. Politics GHAT Economy A small tourism city located in the western Sahara A tourist attraction, but The Social High Council south of Libya. It has a population of 22.7 thousand during the conflict, this regulates the livelihood of Libyans and hosts three old cultures (corresponding slowly deteriorated as the citizens, but the political with three different ethnicities) that are distributed roads to and from the city conflict in the country led between the Alghdamsia, Tripolitanian and Bab became unsafe, leaving to disjointed and unstable trade, services, handicrafts, Alkher areas. It has three spoken languages: Arabic, and handmade goods the policies and governance, Hausa, and Tuareg. main economic activities in which in turn led to the city. Most activities inflation and related take place in the informal negative impacts on city- market, while the black dwellers. This led to the Social Media market includes smuggling Entrepreneurship Tourism and government-purchased city being highly influenced Social media has a Landmarks goods, along with petrol, There is limited by the politics of its positive impact on the The city is a tourist human trafficking, and support from neighboring cities. Since weapons, to Nigeria and attraction, on the road international 2019, the city has fallen city, but it’s limited to surrounding countries. to Akakus, and holds under the LNA’s authority. socializing and organizations on the Castle of Ghat, the communicating. entrepreneurial old city, the Akakus training. Mountains, Kaf Aljanoun, Taderth, and Governmental Conflict the Vallies of Azjer arch. Oversight/ Local The city suffers from the It hosts historically Tribalism Governance political conflict in Libya significant artifacts that A mixed of tribal cultures, comprised mainly of Tuareg and Arab (these tribes include: The city suffers the neglect of but has no active role in represent not only Magarha, Hasawna, Zentan and others). both leading parties in the it, making it one of the Libyan heritage but Tribes are more of a heritage than a tool of conflict (LNA and GNA). Citizens few peaceful cities in the humanity as well. Hosts region. It launched struggle in the city. They all co-exist. are generally poor, goods are the largest open initiatives to support museum in the world, Tribalism in Ghat has a positive impact as it pricy, cash liquidity is is sometimes used to resolve individuals’ Libyan reconciliation as the Rock Museum. inaccessible, the security crisis is well as supporting IDPs disputes. unstable, due to which the and helping to resolve Social norms: people are conservative, economic situation has the war in Murzeq. non-hostile, apolitical, and humble. worsened. Sabha Economy Politics The people suffer from The largest city in the Fezzan region, Sabha is poverty, cash shortages, The city is under the home to approximately 130 thousand and difficulty accessing LNA’s control since the Libyans. It shelters a variety of ethnicities affordable goods. Many 2019 war (an ongoing work in the government including Tabu, Tuareg, and Arab. sector. Trade and conflict). Generally, agriculture account for the political representation majority of economic activity. Youth are highly has been replaced involved in the drug trade Social Media because it constitutes a with tribal conflict and Entrepreneurship territorial control. With limited influence, due to Conflict reliable source of income the recent pandemic situation, amidst broader economic The informal market is The city is dominated social media is becoming a The city has witnessed instability. witnessing growth with the not by a political party source of information and a tool waves of displacement The black market includes aid of the international for knowledge- with varying causes, human trafficking community, through but by tribal militias sharing. Notably, most and smuggling of petrol incubators and chief among them accelerators supporting and religious groups. and goods through governmental institutions post armed conflict and the growth of start-ups their content on social media. uncontrolled borders. economic difficulties. and small businesses. The biggest conflict, along tribal lines, Governmental was between Tebu Oversight and Tourism and and Awlad Sulieman in Tribalism Civil Society Landmarks 2012. The city is Tribes act chiefly as economic support networks restless and suffers and play an important role in facilitating smuggling There is little to no monitoring Sebha historical on the black market. Tribes also serve as networks of the authorities by civic militia-controlled castle was built on prisons where human to enable traditional employment. activists. Tribal protection is very visible as tribes solve many the remains of a rights violations Despite the high number of issues and disputes, for which purpose each tribe organizations registered by monument that happen regularly. has its own social council. the Ministry of Culture, the dates back 2500 number of active years. Social norms: the people are generally very organizations does not exceed conservative. Most are extremely loyal to their 15. tribes, on which they depend for protection. Ubari Economy Political A small city, located in southwest Libya and south of the Fezzan Ubari's allegiance was initially to the region in Wadi Alaajal, Ubari lies between the Algerian and Economic activities based on former Ghaddafi regime, and Nigerien borders. It has major oil fields and is known as a point of trade and agriculture are specifically to the Tuareg. While entry for migrants from Africa. With a population of 72,587, UNFPA negatively affected by the Tabu announced allegiance to the reports that around 75% of the Ubari population has been conflict. The informal revolt, the city has witnessed displaced due to internal conflict from 2014 to 2016. Most of the sector accounts for most private sector outbreaks of violence during population are Arabized Africans, the “Ahali,” who are descended activity, including services, the 2011 revolt. With the new from sub-Saharan slaves. The Tuareg and Tabu are such as home cooking and unsettled structures of politics that significant minorities. delivery, and goods. Ubari is rise and fall in Libya. Ubari remained a mid-way destination for in a state of insecurity with various migrants from Africa and rules and armed groups reigning hosts significant black- over, that are empowered by the Social Media market commerce and black-market in the area. The scene The absence of media Tourism and smuggling, including petrol Entrepreneurship has very little political and weapons, horses, and outlets in the city human trafficking. The black representation and domination by Landmarks contributes to market maintains a whomever party rules the area. There are no Ubari hosts the oldest strangelhold on Ubari’s Currently under the LNA’s control. dependence on social economy and determines activities. Tribes are considered a form of medial platforms to civilization in Libya, prices in the city political representation. gain information. the Germant. It’s known for salty lakes like Qabr Oun and Own Almaa, as Governmental Oversight Conflict well as pyramids and the historical city of Tribalism Conflicts are rarely Germa, where a Tribes have political and security impacts There is little to no monitoring internal, mostly arising as a museum was built in due to the absence of governing or law of the city. The municipal by-product of the general 1968 and reopened in enforcement institutions to protect council restricts some of state of conflict in 1989. Ubari also hosts individuals. They are a network that illegitimate activities but for Libya. Ubari witnessed an a large oil supports employment and a safety net that the most part, armed groups armed conflict in 2014 field, Alsharara, which expands family businesses. The High conduct and protect illicit between Tabu and Tuareg was discovered in Social Council is recognized as the highest trades. tribes. 1980. authority in the city with real power over disputes. Political Murzuq Economy The LNA claims authority over Murzuq is in the southwest of Libya, in the center of the Fezzan A large portion of the city’s region, far to the south of Tripoli. It was established as a stop on youth survives by working in Murzuq. The LNA appointed a the north-south trade route across the Sahara. The city currently armed groups and smuggling management council faces severe waves of displacement on the basis of ethnicity and networks, which in turn empowers their tribes. with members from key tribal affiliations. It is home to nearly 13 thousand Libyans from dominant tribes, while the mixed cultural backgrounds (Arab, Tabu and Tuwareg) who are in Murzuq is rich in gold, cars, official municipality council is in constant fights over control on the city. and essential trade of goods and food, with a new sector actuality dysfunctional. emerging to produce and The city knows no political parties, sell buildings and constructio n materials. In addition, the but prominent political figures city has a clothing factory, include: date farms, and cattle Entrepreneurship Social media Conflict farming. Hamad Ebriko, a member of the high Many Social media activity is The city has faced national council extremely high, Black market – Murzuq’s microbusinesses were chronic conflict that first special and remote location Mohammad Adam Lino, a member while the street sees shut down completely of the house of representatives broke out in the 90s with the collapsing security with the armed little activity due to the between Aahali (Arab) and system contributed to a (Tabu) strong and lucrative black conflict in the city, an Mohammed Alagha, a member of armed groups that limit Tabu tribes.