Libya imposes new measures on Tunisian merchants​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

More than 50 Tunisian citizens, including two minors, remain in detention in Libya according to Mustafa Abdel Kabir, Head of the Tunisian Observatory for Human Rights.

The detainees are reportedly being held in a Tripoli prison, with Libyan authorities also seizing approximately 25 vehicles that were transported across the border.

Abdel Kabir has called for intervention from both countries’ authorities to address what he termed “repeated assaults on Tunisian citizens.” He pointed to a “shared failure” in border management and implementation of travel facilitation measures, stating that “ordinary people are paying the price” for these shortcomings.

The Libyan Government of National Unity, through its Ministry of the Interior, has reaffirmed its commitment to anti-smuggling operations, pledging “deterrent measures to protect the national economy and strengthen public security.”

Tensions between the neighbouring countries escalated after Tunisian authorities sentenced a Libyan citizen to five years’ imprisonment for smuggling 150 kilogrammes of couscous.

This ruling triggered public outcry and reportedly led to increased detention of Tunisian fuel smugglers and stricter enforcement of anti-smuggling regulations.

Some Tunisian media outlets have characterised these activities as “cross-border trade” rather than smuggling.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​