Algerian envoy visits Amazigh regions in Libya, causing controversy
Algerian ambassador to Libya Suleiman Shanin’s visit to the Amazigh region in Libya is being viewed as an interreference in Libya’s internal affairs by some in the government of national stability, according to The Arab Weekly and agencies on December 3rd.
The trip was co-ordinated by the Supreme Council of the Amazighs of Libya. Spokesman Akram Jarnaz said that during his visit to Nalut, the Algerian ambassador had said that he considers the Libyan Amazigh cities as strategically important for Algeria’s security.
Abdel Moneim al-Arfi, a member of the Libyan house of representatives, said he thought that the visit was a blatant interference in Libyan affairs, and claimed that Algeria wants to use the Amazigh to settle its issues with Morocco. “We reject interference in our affairs,” he said.
Arfi also asked the foreign affairs committee at the House of Representatives to tell Algeria that its ambassador had committed an unacceptable act in Libya.
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He said Libyans want a robust response to the visit, because of what he said were Algeria’s attempts to interfere in Libya’s internal affairs. He said it was doing this by choosing to use the Amazighs, and spoke of the strong relations between the Amazigh in Libya and Morocco.
Another Libyan representative Jibril Ouhaida also said that he considered Algeria’s actions a blatant interference in Libyan affairs. “We strongly reject such actions, whether they are made by Algeria or others,” he stated.
He added that any collaboration with outside interference such as Shanin’s Nalut trip is classified as high treason under Libyan law.
Libya currently has two rival governments, the Tripoli-based government of national unity and the Tobruk-based government of national stability.
The Algerian ambassador met a number of tribal leaders, dignitaries and notables of the Amazigh.
Last year a leak claimed that the Algerian ambassador in Tripoli wanted the government of national unity to end the activities of the Supreme Council of the Amazigh of Libya. This Libyans considered a blatant interference in national affairs.
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In April 2023, the Amazigh Supreme Council said that “the Algerian ambassador to Libya asked the Libyan ministry of foreign affairs during his meeting with Minister Najla el-Mangoush to end the work and activities of the council.” The Amazigh leadership said this was “a blatant interference in Libya’s internal affairs.”
The council added, “The sons of the Libyan Amazigh movement reject any interference in our internal affairs,” adding, “It is a legitimate elected body, and is considered our legitimate representative inside and outside Libya, and no one, local or foreign, has the right to end its existence.”
The statement added, “The Amazigh of Libya do not interfere in the internal affairs of any North African country, especially in the political affairs of those countries, while cultural exchanges between the Amazigh of these countries is considered legitimate, and no one has the right to prevent us from doing so.”
It added that “participation in cultural festivals including literature, language, art, heritage and joint Amazigh events, in a way that does not affect the policies of those countries is legitimate.” It stressed that “the political problems of the Algerian government with Morocco are of no interest to the council.” It also insisted that its relations with the Amazigh of Morocco consist in “cultural relations and exchange of expertise in the field of language and culture.”
The Arab Weekly
