Despite Tunisia bolstering border security, in March 2016 a terrorist attack was launched on the town of Ben Guerdane. The Libyan-Tunisian border militarization has seriously impacted the region’s economy, hindering cross-border trade and disrupting citizens’ livelihoods who rely on diminishing resources. Additionally, COVID-19’s impact and growing social unrest are warning signs of growing fragility.
In 2020, UNDP began researching the Tunisia-Libya border’s political economy. The goal was simple: (a) improve the understanding of local economic dynamics and their impact on security; and (b) facilitate dialogue between local communities and public authorities around a new government model for regional interventions.
We will discuss the challenges and opportunities of Libya’s PVE agenda in Tunisia presented by the border security policy and the stabilization trend. Hear more about the findings advocating for inclusive policies to: (a) improve human security; (b) mitigate the negative impact of hard security measures in the region; and (c) strengthen citizens’ trust in institutions.
