Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Faraj Abdullah
Published on 2024-03-19 15:49:35
The Municipal Council of Zuwara has strongly condemned the events that took place at the Ras Ajdir border crossing with Tunisia late Monday night, placing blame on the interim government of Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh and the authorities managing the border post for inciting unrest and chaos through what they termed as “provocative acts.” In a statement released on its official Facebook page on Tuesday, the council alleged that an armed force, claiming to be acting under the pretext of law enforcement, forcefully entered the border crossing without any prior coordination with the crossing administration or local authorities.
According to the council, this force verbally abused security personnel stationed at the crossing and physically assaulted some civilians. They also claimed that excessive force, including the use of live ammunition, resulted in injuries to two residents from the nearby village of Ras Ajdir, triggering widespread anger and a violent backlash against the armed group. The council and local dignitaries quickly responded to the situation, trying to de-escalate tensions and prevent further violence. However, one council member was shot by the armed force and had to be hospitalized, escalating the already tense situation.
Through swift coordination with municipal security forces, the council was able to regain control and quell the unrest, attributing the success to the efforts of individuals with good intentions. They confirmed that the members of the armed force responsible for the incident had been apprehended by local authorities and were currently in custody. In a strongly-worded statement, the Zuwara council held the interim government and Interior Ministry accountable for what they described as “systematic chaos” driven by hidden regional agendas that exploit their positions of authority.
As of now, the interim government has not responded officially to the accusations made by the Zuwara municipality concerning the events at the Ras Ajdir border post. The incident has raised concerns about the management of border security and the use of force by law enforcement agencies, prompting calls for an investigation into the actions of the armed force and accountability for those responsible for the violence. The council continues to monitor the situation closely and is working to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents in the aftermath of the disturbing events at the border crossing.
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