By Mustafa Khalifa.
Ghat, 1 June 2015:
One of Libya’s more prominent tribes, particularly in Fezzan, the Awlad Sulaiman has called for an . . .[restrict]end to the violence and for reconciliation between competing tribes and communities.
Condemning the recent killings and robberies that have ben taking place recently in Sebha, the tribe’s Shoura Council, meeting in the town, called for the creation of a supreme tribal council in the south, at which tribal differences could be resolved.
According to shoura council spokesman Badad Gansu, the Awlad Sulaiman wants to extend a hand of friendship and heal divisions with other tribes and seek reconciliation throughout the country. In particular, it wants to enable those who have been forced from their homes to return and to see justice for those who have suffered loss or violence.
Representatives from the tribe had been sent to other tribes to canvas their views on the proposals and on a comprehensive reconciliation, Gansu said, and the Awlad Sulaiman were awaiting an answer. In particular, he added, the tribe was in touch with Tebu elders to work out a peace deal.
The Awlad Sulaiman has been involved in a series of deadly clashes over the past three years with Tebus as well as with other tribes in and around Sebha, such as the Qaddadfa.
There have been earlier moves to end tribal violence in the south, such as the grand conference of tribes in Sebha in November which agreed a ceasefire. But nothing came of it.
As elsewhere in Libya, however, there now is a weariness with war, combined with a fear that communal conflicts are allowing the Islamic State to gain power.
As part of moves seen elsewhere to rebuild bridges between tribes and communities, the Alwad Sulaiman and Tebus swopped prisoners a week ago. [/restrict]
