Summary:

On 6 February 2025, the eastern-based government in Libya issued a statement denouncing what they described as the kidnapping of its Minister of Legislative Affairs, Mohamed Suleiman Bouzguia, in Misrata by the Joint Operations Forces which are affiliated with the Tripoli-based government.  

The statement from the eastern government insisted that the current division in the country, which the statement attributes to the Tripoli-based government’s violations of agreed upon authorities, should not impede free movement of people in the country.  

The statement also called for the liberation of the Minister who was on a visit to his family in Misrata, and the assurance of his safety. 

A day later, the Joint Operations Forces announced the release of Bouzguia, who they indicated was arrested based on a warrant from the Public Prosecution on charges of fraud, deception, and forgery. 

Outlook: 

The incident reflects the persistent tensions between the two rivalling governments in Libya and how those tensions can lead to disruptive actions from either side. 

Kidnappings and arrests have been a persistent occurrence in recent months in Libya. In August 2024, officials from the Central Bank were kidnapped amidst competition to control this critical financial institution. And an intelligence officer was kidnapped in Zintan in November. 

This form of blackmail points to the failure of efforts toward a rapprochement by regional and international actors invested in Libya, including the meeting of Tripoli’s Minister of Interior, Imed Trablesi and Lieutenant General Saddam Khalifa Haftar in Turkey in October 2024. 

Failures of dialogue and recourse to violence between the two governments risk escalation. Additionally, these disagreements signal instability in the business climate which may harm efforts to maintain recent cooperation agreements with international partners and investors. 

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