The opening of the Ras Ajdir border crossing between Libya and Tunisia, which was scheduled for today, Monday, has been postponed after protesters closed the coastal road leading to the crossing. In a statement issued by the protesters, they pointed out that "their decision came based on a series of decisions issued by the Minister of Interior in the Government of National Unity," which they described as having "ethnic and racist tendencies against the Amazigh of Libya."
The protesters claimed that "these decisions reflect ethnic, sectarian, and tribal hatred, and fall under a deliberate policy of marginalization towards their regions, where the necessary budgets for their cities' facilities have not been allocated, and issues of water and salaries remain unresolved, in addition to ethnic discrimination and sectarian incitement against the Amazigh."
They confirmed that they "have entered into an open sit-in and closed all entrances to the municipality of Zuwara, including the Ras Ajdir border crossing and the Abu Kammash coastal road," demanding the government to "revoke its decisions that marginalize and transfer officers and soldiers of Amazigh backgrounds."
They also announced their "coordination with the Supreme Council of the Amazigh of Libya and the Amazigh municipal councils to take decisions aimed at canceling the recognition of the decisions of the Government of National Unity." The protesters emphasized that they "will not retract their demands under any circumstance," affirming that they "are following in the footsteps of the martyrs who sacrificed their blood for their dignity and pride."
In mid-March, the Libyan Ministry of Interior stated that it had closed the border crossing due to armed clashes after the borders were attacked by "lawbreakers." Ras Ajdir is the main border crossing between the two countries in western Libya, where Libyans often go to Tunisia for medical treatment, and trucks carrying goods frequently pass in the opposite direction.
