The European Union will next month begin a two-year border control mission to help improve and develop the security of Libya’s borders.
The purpose of the mission is to assist the Libyan Government to gain effective control of its borders
The mission will address concerns relating to the potential scale of migration to the EU and measures to prevent terrorists from moving freely across the region.
The EU Integrated Border Management Assistance Mission (Eubam), part of the EU’s overall strategy to support the Libyan post-conflict reconstruction, will focus on helping the Libyan authorities to strengthen border security to meet international standards and develop a complete strategy for border management.
This mission will see the EU invest about €30 million in a team of about 100 international personnel. This team will be responsible for advising and training the Libyan authorities on issues relating to border management.
In addition, the project aims to stabilise regional conflict, accelerate economic development and fight against the terrorist activities taking place in the country and in a number of regions.
This training project is the EU’s largest contribution to Libya and will operate out of Tripoli.
“Eubam is an important mission for Libya and the entire region but also for the security of the European Union’s borders,” European Commission vice-president Catherine Ashton, who is also its high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, said.
The mission was requested directly by the new Libyan Government following the overthrow of dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
The purpose of the mission is to assist the Libyan Government to gain effective control of its borders, which consists of about 4,300 kilometres of remote and deserted land border and about 2,000 kilometres of maritime border with the Mediterranean Sea.
Libya’s immature border control structure has been a major concern for the EU as it led to the occurrence of illegal activities, including the smuggling of drugs, weapons, migrants and commercial goods to the EU region from sub-Saharan Africa.
Eubam is part of the EU’s overall strategy aiming to establish a long-term and mutually beneficial relationship with Libya, a key neighbour of Europe. The EU’s interest in improving Libya’s border control closely relates to the geographical location between the two regions.
Before the Gaddafi regime was overthrown, the EU had already been controversially cooperating with the military government to control the flow of immigration. After Gaddafi’s death, the EU placed greater efforts into negotiating with the new authorities on the issue of border control.
Over the past few years, several conflicts in the West Sahara region highlighted the importance of effective border management and control along Libya’s Saharan borders. For instance, the weapons provided from the residual force of Gaddafi to Islamist militants contributed to the conflict in Mali. Following French military intervention, concerns arose that the militants might move to Libya’s southern desert and, therefore, pose a threat to neighbouring countries.
Apart from EU support, Libya also received assistance from other international communities through the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSML).
The border management efforts taken by the EU are fully in line with UN Security Council resolution 1973 (2011). At a recent workshop held by UNSML, the need for more intensive cooperation and coordination between all the agencies involved was recognised. Moreover, the challenges faced by the execution of border control were also clarified.
The UNSML commented after the workshop on Libya’s determination to effectively secure its borders. However, Libyans face a number of difficulties in achieving this, namely the shortage of modern equipment, technology and experienced personnel.
Apart from strengthening Libya’s border security, it was suggested at the workshop that poor economic conditions contribute greatly to instability and security concerns in the region, therefore, action to improve the living standard should also be considered.
Saleh Al-Makhzoum, vice president of the General National Congress, emphasised the important role small- and medium-sized projects can play in reducing the tension in conflict areas by absorbing the frustrated youth.
David Casa is a Nationalist MEP.