Boufarda: armed groups have become part of state institutions
LIBYA – Sharif Boufarda, of the Libyan Center for Security and Military Studies, has ruled out the militia problem in western Libya having reached a “point of no return”, but argued that these groups’ entry into state institutions has made dealing with their influence more difficult.
In exclusive remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, Boufarda said some members of the armed formations had acquired official status after joining security and military institutions and receiving state salaries, and that the groups had developed links with economic, political, military and security institutions.
Tackling funding, official cover and oversight
He added that these groups are no longer entities completely separate from the state but have, in some cases, become part of its structure, interests and economic networks.
He argued that dismantling their influence requires lifting their official cover, drying up their sources of government funding, activating oversight and investigating crimes, drawing on an international role through the Security Council and the International Criminal Court, and imposing sanctions on obstructing parties.
