A word on Libya

Southern Libya is a desert and barren area save one major factor, the presence of oil and tribes with strong links to the land. In the past two months one tribe in particular has made regional headlines for its continuing battle with the authorities. The tribe in question is the Tibu, a semi-nomadic grouping which is based in southern Libya and northern Chad. In February, Tibu tribesmen fought a series of battles with Zwai tribal gunmen in Kufra leaving 100 people dead. The fighting, which erupted over control of smuggling routes, was followed by clashes in Sabha on 25 to 29 March (ongoing) between Tibu and Abu Seif tribesmen following a local dispute. This is not the first occasion such violence has occurred. The tribe has clashed with the Libyan central authority in the past. In 2008, it fought battles in Kufra with Zawi tribesmen and the al-Gaddafi security forces after the government initiated a process of discrimination against them. The tension with the local Zwai was further exacerbated by an influx of Tibu refugees from Chad into the Kufra area. Tensions remain elevated and continue to rest on Libyan government distrust of the darker skinned Tibu, the Tibu's strong links to Chad (where a number of ex-al-Gaddafi loyalists are currently based) and long standing grievances over past conflicts. The current round of fighting is unlikely to be the last as at least one local Tibu leader has called for secession.