Recommendations of the symposium (The Current Situation in Chad and Its Impact on Libya and the Sahel and Sahara Region) organized by the Libyan Center for Research and Studies on Monday, September 27, 2021 in Tripoli. Organized by the Libyan Center for Research and Studies, a scientific symposium entitled: (The Current Situation in Chad and Its Impact on Libya and the Sahel and Sahara Region) was held at exactly ten o’clock in the morning in the conference hall of the Corinthia Hotel – Tripoli. This symposium aimed to shed light and attention on the developments in Chad after the killing of President “Idriss Deby Itno” and the resulting state of instability from which the Sahel and Sahara region will not be immune to its negative effects, especially the countries neighboring Chad such as Libya, which could be the most affected by this state of instability, due to the geographical proximity and historical, social and cultural ties between the two countries. The symposium included the presentation of six research papers that attempted to cover their topic, presented by a group of specialists through two main axes, which are:
– The first axis: The nature of the conflict in Chad and the possibilities of its development.
– The second axis: The effects of the current situation in Chad on Libya and the countries of the Sahel and Sahara region.
The presentation of the research papers for each axis was followed by a general discussion by the attendees, and was characterized by seriousness and depth due to the utmost importance of this topic for the Sahel and Sahara region, and in particular for Libyan national security, especially in light of what Libya is suffering from internal instability that may paralyze its ability to confront external security threats, especially from its southern borders.
The symposium issued the following recommendations:
1- Calling on decision-makers in Libya to pay attention to the Sahel and Sahara region, given its geographical depth and direct relationship to Libyan national security.
2- At this particular time, the Libyan authorities are required to expedite the unification of the military institution and keep it away from political conflicts so that it can carry out its duties and secure the borders completely.
3- The realistic circumstances experienced by the Libyan state may not allow it to play an effective role in maintaining its national security, especially in its border area with Chad, but it can achieve its national security through African regional organizations such as the African Union and the Sahel and Sahara States Group through mechanisms to achieve regional security, and by activating regional and international agreements related to combating irregular migration and terrorist groups.
4- Focusing on security treatment alone to combat extremist movements and irregular migration traffickers to maintain national security between the Sahel and Sahara countries is not enough, but the concerned countries must work to carry out local political reforms, in addition to creating development programs and plans that work to provide job opportunities and raise the standard of living for their citizens, which will positively reflect on achieving stability on the one hand, and blocking the way for extremist groups and human traffickers from exploiting the bad conditions and recruiting young people and perpetuating the state of instability in these countries.
5- The Sahel and Sahara countries must enhance security and military cooperation among themselves to secure the common borders and paralyze the movements of terrorist groups and organized gangs.
6- The necessity for the African Union to assume its responsibilities during the transitional period witnessed by the State of Chad through its special envoy, and to ensure that the elections are held according to the specified program and to achieve a peaceful transfer of power.
– The first axis: The nature of the conflict in Chad and the possibilities of its development.
– The second axis: The effects of the current situation in Chad on Libya and the countries of the Sahel and Sahara region.
The presentation of the research papers for each axis was followed by a general discussion by the attendees, and was characterized by seriousness and depth due to the utmost importance of this topic for the Sahel and Sahara region, and in particular for Libyan national security, especially in light of what Libya is suffering from internal instability that may paralyze its ability to confront external security threats, especially from its southern borders.
The symposium issued the following recommendations:
1- Calling on decision-makers in Libya to pay attention to the Sahel and Sahara region, given its geographical depth and direct relationship to Libyan national security.
2- At this particular time, the Libyan authorities are required to expedite the unification of the military institution and keep it away from political conflicts so that it can carry out its duties and secure the borders completely.
3- The realistic circumstances experienced by the Libyan state may not allow it to play an effective role in maintaining its national security, especially in its border area with Chad, but it can achieve its national security through African regional organizations such as the African Union and the Sahel and Sahara States Group through mechanisms to achieve regional security, and by activating regional and international agreements related to combating irregular migration and terrorist groups.
4- Focusing on security treatment alone to combat extremist movements and irregular migration traffickers to maintain national security between the Sahel and Sahara countries is not enough, but the concerned countries must work to carry out local political reforms, in addition to creating development programs and plans that work to provide job opportunities and raise the standard of living for their citizens, which will positively reflect on achieving stability on the one hand, and blocking the way for extremist groups and human traffickers from exploiting the bad conditions and recruiting young people and perpetuating the state of instability in these countries.
5- The Sahel and Sahara countries must enhance security and military cooperation among themselves to secure the common borders and paralyze the movements of terrorist groups and organized gangs.
6- The necessity for the African Union to assume its responsibilities during the transitional period witnessed by the State of Chad through its special envoy, and to ensure that the elections are held according to the specified program and to achieve a peaceful transfer of power.
