By Ajnadin Mustafa.
Tripoli, 13 October 2016:
In an unexpected development, Tawerghans based in the refugee camp in Tripoli’s Falah district yesterday protested against the UN-brokered peace deal signed on 31 August in Tunis between Tawergha local council and Misrata municipal council. They claim that under it there will be no proper compensation for their losses, no guarantees that their relatives held in prison in Misrata will be freed and no date set for a return home.
They want the deal to be renegotiated and this to include the involvement of Libyan mediators from the Supreme Council of Tribes and Cities of Libya.
There are now calls on Tawerghans in the east of the country join the protests.
The Tawerghan Elders and Wise Men’s Council, however, has distanced itself from the complaints although it has called on both councils to speed up the agreement, complaining that there has been too much procrastination.
The agreement, in fact, provides for some compensation but only covers the period from 7 February 2011 to 11 August 2011. There have been numerous attacks on Tawerghans in the various camps since.
Nor does it cover compensation for homes and buildings damaged or destroyed when Misratan forces overran the town. Additionally, although it was signed by the two councils, it obligates the Libyan state to pay all the compensation specified and any other deemed due. But there has been no statement on the part of the Presidency Council of its intention to ensure this happens.
The agreement said that it was to be adopted by Misrata municipal council and Tawergha local council on 20 September, by the Libyan government on 28 September, and a compensation fund be set up on 15 October. So far the first two date have passed without action and there is little expecation of the fund being set up by Saturday.
All this appears to have fuelled Tawerghan suspicions, particularly among young Tawerghans, that the deal is being sidelined. Further protests are expected.
