Maintaining Ceasefire and Seeking Disarmament

More than 10 years, and still successive Libyan governments have continued to struggle to gain control and to rein in armed groups, including foreign mercenaries operating under their banner, to the use of violence against citizens, foreigners, politicians, Libyan state institutions, religious heritage monuments and competing groups. The experiences of countries that have recently emerged from internal conflicts have shown that establishing peace requires the formation of a strong, professional and uncontested national security force.

We must emphasize stabilizing the ceasefire, facilitate the work and support of the 5 + 5 Joint Military Committee, and rebuild and organize the armed forces and security institutions.

Maintaining Ceasefire and Seeking Disarmament

Why it Matters

More than 10 years after the events of 2011, successive Libyan governments have continued to struggle to gain control and to rein in armed groups, including foreign mercenaries operating under their banner, to the use of violence against citizens, foreigners, politicians, Libyan state institutions, religious heritage monuments and competing groups. The experiences of countries that have recently emerged from internal conflicts have shown that establishing peace requires the formation of a strong, professional and uncontested national security force.

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My Plan for Libya

Work on Monitoring and Disarmament

In addition to the formation of a specialized taskforce dedicated to establishing a comprehensive mechanism and monitoring process for disarming all armed groups and militias—of whatever size and form—operating outside the control of the state, the armed forces and police, and who have obtained weapons via illegal imports or were provided by foreign parties or appropriated from the previous security forces. Disarmament and robust security sector reform is a fundamental requirement of any state. We will implement a program that allows weapons to be returned to the state on a buying-back or trade-in scheme, and members of the armed groups to be integrated either into the official security apparatus of army or police, or to enter civilian life and vocational retraining programs.

We will ensure the formation of specialised teams that work hard to develop and monitor a precise mechanism for disarmament of those outside of the legitimate authorities of the state, who have obtained arms either by illegal means or provided by former entities claiming to represent the state, whether those weapons are in the possession of outlaw armed groups or among individuals. Such weapons will be handed over to legitimate security and military units according to jurisdiction. We will also develop regulations and laws to grant permits to authorised persons to carry light weapons, which will be subject to strict control by competent authorities.

A Long Term Vision

Preventing future outbreaks of violence will include long-term policies by forming local security units operating at the municipal level and integrating them with central security efforts, as well as providing material support from state institutions to local security forces to combat illegal militias. Such an approach would enable municipalities to respond to local threats to security, while building people’s confidence, increasing accountability and supporting the legitimacy of national and local security institutions.

Maintaining Peace and Security

Maintaining peace and security will require Libya to systematically reorganize and rebuild its police force, armed forces, and all other security forces into professional and capable institutions. Security sector reform must prioritize the development and implementation of policies concerning national security, national policing, community policing, disaster management, and governance of the relationships between different state actors involved in the security sector.

Border Control

Libya’s porous borders and lack of sufficient border control pose major security threats. Illegal trafficking of human beings, drugs, weapons, and subsidized commodities is the motivation, enabling interest groups outside the laws of the State to control these borders, not to mention its contribution to the spread of corruption. Border security units must be strengthened and supplemented by air, sea, and land reconnaissance capacity, reinforcing bilateral cooperation agreements with neighboring countries, enhancing mechanisms to identify and prosecute perpetrators of smuggling, and raising awareness about the negative impacts of smuggling.

MY RECORD THUS FAR

Support Aref Nayed’s Plan for Achieving Cease-fire and Disarmament

A comprehensive, nationwide ceasefire involving all relevant parties must be pursued to ensure a conducive environment for national dialogue. Add your name to support Aref Nayed’s plan to move Libya forward by breaking the cycles of violence and abuse happening in our country.