The north-eastern Libyan city of Derna has been blockaded for over 17 months, resulting in a humanitarian crisis, compounded by occasional airstrikes. A military campaign targeting the city looks increasingly likely, which would have dramatic consequences on the city, as well as on the prospect for national reconciliation.
In this policy brief, Al-Zubayr Salem asks: what factors specific to Derna have prevented the resolution of its current situation? What steps could be taken to increase the likely success of reconciliation between Derna and the forces blockading it? He seeks to answer this question through analysing the specificities of the Derna case, evaluating the previous achievements of reconciliation figures and identifying possible entry points for successful mediation efforts.
The Crisis in Derna is the first publication from MEDirections Libya Initiative’s mentorship of young Libyan analysts. This collaborative scheme aims to produce research relevant to policy makers inside and outside Libya.
Click here to download the full text. The PDF is available in English and Arabic.