Douga calls for a scientific approach to the armed groups file
LIBYA – Ahmed Douga, deputy head of the Libyan Umma Party, has argued that Abdulhamid Dbeibah, head of the Dbeibah government, succeeded in bringing a large number of militias under his government’s authority, which in his view gave them official status, but was unable to integrate or dismantle all of them for various reasons.
Tribal ties and fears of a return to dictatorship
In comments to Erem News, Douga said some of these groups have tribal and regional ties, while others are holding on to their weapons for fear of a return to dictatorship.
He added that some armed formations take the view that they will not hand over their weapons until a constitution is adopted that fully guarantees their rights, arguing that the failure to dismantle all the militias leaves the situation more fragile in a number of Libyan cities.
Call to learn from other countries’ experience
Douga called for scientific methods to be adopted and for lessons to be drawn from countries that have successfully dealt with armed groups, warning that the spread of weapons and money had allowed some militias to expand their influence to the point of affecting even the government itself.
