Tunisian traders protested against Libyan restrictions on the movement of goods, demanding action from Tunisian authorities to address trade imbalances and economic hardships affecting thousands. The ongoing trade suspension, which began in March, has left many in dire social conditions, prompting calls for reciprocal trade rights. MP Ali Zaghdoud described the situation as deplorable for small traders, while the Libyan ban on transporting goods exacerbates the crisis.
On Monday, a significant number of Tunisian traders held a protest in front of the Bengardane municipality headquarters, situated in southern Tunisia near the Libyan border. The demonstrators expressed their grievances regarding the ongoing suspension of their pivotal commercial activities due to stringent restrictions imposed by Libyan authorities on the movement of goods. These restrictions have severely impacted those reliant on trade between Tunisia and Libya, particularly affecting thousands of workers who have historically depended on smuggling goods such as fuel, electronic items, and food products for their livelihoods. The protesters, primarily individuals engaged in smuggling who identify themselves as “small traders”, urged Tunisian authorities to take action. They highlighted the necessity of reciprocity in trade practices, denouncing the prohibition on Tunisian citizens transporting goods back from Libya while allowing Libyan goods to flow into Tunisia unhindered, including subsidized food supplies. Their plea for equality in trade opportunities underscores a pressing demand for balanced relations between the two nations. Tunisian Member of Parliament Ali Zaghdoud characterized the current trade dynamics as “deplorable”, particularly for small traders, noting that the stagnation of trade activities since last March has led to widespread unemployment and exacerbated social difficulties in communities like Bengardane. The cessation of operations has caused considerable distress, leaving many without their primary means of subsistence. Since March, Libyan authorities have implemented a ban affecting Tunisian travelers, especially those with vehicles, from transporting goods from Libya to Tunisia, citing a crackdown on smuggling activities that they argue have detrimental effects on Libya’s economy. These trade restrictions have resulted in increasing tensions and frustrations among Tunisian traders, who are advocating for policy changes that would restore the free flow of trade between the two countries.
Tunisian-Libyan trade relationships have historically involved a significant exchange of goods, where smuggling has often played a vital role in local economies on both sides of the border. As Libya continues to impose stringent regulations aimed at controlling smuggling, the ramifications have fallen heavily on small traders in Tunisia, leaving many without work and struggling to support their families. The situation underscores the delicate balance between regulation and economic necessity, especially in border regions where families depend on cross-border trade for their livelihoods.
The protests in Bengardane reflect the urgent need for action from Tunisian authorities to alleviate the hardships faced by traders affected by Libya’s trade restrictions. With the trade relationship in a precarious state since March, the demands for reciprocal rights in the movement of goods are vital for restoring economic stability for small traders in the region. The situation not only affects individual livelihoods but also has broader implications for local economies dependent on border trade.
Original Source: libyaobserver.ly
