USAID halts Libya projects

According to Africa Intelligence, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has notified its primary partners in North Africa, including Libya, that it is withdrawing from all current projects.

The report states that Washington has suspended a previously approved $50 million aid package to Libya that was authorised on 25 October last year.

The funding was intended to support three key programmes: the Libyan Expanded Partnership for Institutional Capacity (L-EPIC) focusing on governance and anti-corruption; Engagement with Voters for Fair Representation (EVER) for improving government institutions; and Media Integrity, Resilience and Public Support in Libya (MIRSAL) designed to combat disinformation.

Per Africa Intelligence, Chemonics International, USAID’s main contractor, has ceased operations following payment suspensions in November. French NGO Super-Novae was also reportedly instructed to halt work on the Libyan Economic Acceleration Project (LEAP), which aimed to promote stability in southern Fezzan by supporting young entrepreneurs.

Despite these development cutbacks, security cooperation continues, with the Pentagon and development agency maintaining focus on two priorities: reunifying Libya’s army and integrating armed forces into the security apparatus.

The report indicates that USAID has provided approximately one billion dollars in assistance to Libya since 2011.