On Saturday, the United Nations mission in Libya (UNSMIL) called for the swift release of a journalist detained in Tripoli two days earlier, stressing the importance of ensuring safety for all media workers.
Concern was raised by UNSMIL regarding “the arbitrary arrest and detention of journalist Ahmed Sanussi on July 11”.
Sanussi serves as the general manager of the internet channel Tabadul and hosts “Flousna” (“Our Money”), a program aired on the Tunisia-based Wasat TV channel, as indicated on his verified Facebook profile.
Sanussi’s channel and program primarily address economic and social issues, providing insights into Libya’s financial landscape and societal challenges.
The mission emphasised that suppressing journalists’ reporting creates an atmosphere of fear, which ultimately hinders the essential conditions required for Libya’s democratic transition.
By restricting media freedom, the potential for open dialogue and informed public discourse is severely diminished, jeopardising the country’s path toward democracy.
Libya, rich in oil resources, descended into turmoil after the ousting of long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi during a NATO-backed uprising in 2011.
This turmoil led to a power vacuum and a protracted conflict, resulting in rival factions vying for control.
The ensuing instability has severely affected the country’s economy and security, resulting in widespread misery and impeding efforts toward political reconciliation and development.
The struggle for power has left Libya fragmented, with different militias and groups proclaiming influence over different regions.
During a briefing to the U.N. Security Council in mid-June, U.N. Deputy Representative Stephanie Koury expressed her concerns regarding “reports of violations across the country, particularly the ongoing pattern of abduction and arbitrary arrest and confinement of Libyans”.
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