Pledge of Reconciliation Between the Cities of Zawiyyah and al-Zintan

Export agreement:

Export agreement coding (PDF)

Country/entity: Libya
Region: Middle East and North Africa
Agreement name: Pledge of Reconciliation Between the Cities of Zawiyyah and al-Zintan
Date: 10 May 2018
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/local conflict
Libyan Conflicts (1969 - 1994) (2011 - )
Agreements relate to two distinct conflict dyads.
Libya-Chad. Since the 1970s, Libya under Colonel Muammar Gaddafi had a tense relationship with its neighbour Chad, predominantly focused on the resource-rich Aouzou Strip in northern Chad. Libyan claims of the Aouzou Strip were held in an un-ratified treaty between France and Italy in 1935, similarly Chadian claims of the Strip were argued with support of a 1955 treaty between Libya and France. In 1973, Libya effectively annexed the Strip to gain access to natural resources. This spurred cross-border clashes between 1979 until 1987 until escalated to a brief war known as the Toyota War, wherein Chadian government troops succeeded in repelling Libyan forces. A brief and repeatedly violated ceasefire was held from 1987-88, followed by a series of unsuccessful negotiations, until an International Court of Justice ruling in 1994, which granted sovereignty of the Strip to Chad.

Libya post-Gaddafi. Gaddafi’s downfall following the Libyan Civil War in 2011-2012, led to several factions fighting for the country’s leadership. Since 2013, the country effectively split into three entities, with the National Army controlling the east including the city of Benghazi, and the New General National Congress and their militias such as the Golden Dawn controlling the northwest including the capital of Tripoli. Significant portions of the country in the south-west are currently held by Tuareg forces. The civil war and chaos continued into 2014 as the General National Congress refused to disband after the expiry of its mandate, resulting in eruption of mass protests. The UN efforts continue to broker peace between the Libyan Army and the Libya Dawn factions, and a partial ceasefire was declared in January 2015. A new interim-government (Tunisia-based) called ‘Government of National Accord’ is formed with the backing of UN despite the refusal of the other forces to recognise its authority and arrived to Tripoli with the UN in 2016. A state of emergency was declared by the UN backed government amid clashed between rival militia in Tripoli’s southern suburbs. Since April 2019 there has been sustained fighting between the Libyan National Army and the UN-backed government in Tripoli as the Libyan National Army aims to seize Tripoli.
Stage: Framework/substantive - partial
Conflict nature: Inter-group
Peace process: Libyan local processes
Parties: The Head of the Local Council of the City of Zawiyah, [SIGNED]
The Mayor of the Municipality of Al Zintan, [SIGNED]
The Head of the Shura, Elders, and Sheikhs of Zawiyah, [SIGNED]
The Head of the Social Committee of the City of Al Zintan, [SIGNED]
The Commander of the Military Operations Room in Zawiyah, [SIGNED]
The Head of the Military Council in the City of Al Zintan, [SIGNED]
The Head of the Families of the Martyrs Organization in Zawiyah, [SIGNED]
The Head of the Martyrs Association in the City of Al Zintan, [SIGNED]
Third parties: -
Description: 15-point agreement iterates reconciliation and multiple principles of the Libyan state based on the constitutional declaration of 2011. In addition, agreement provides for (1) security sector reform; (2) return of IDPs; (3) end to crime and smuggling; (4) placing qualified individuals in positions of power; (5) right to free movement, property and trade.

Agreement document: LY_180510_Reconciliation Deal between Zintan and Zawiyya_EN.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): LY_180510_Reconciliation Deal between Zintan and Zawiyya_AR.pdf (opens in new tab)| Download PDF

Local agreement properties

Process type: Informal but persistent process
Rationale: -> Link to national level; no external support mechanism; culture of signing Although the agreement was not supported by a formal and national mechanism, it is embedded in a culture of signing (and supporting) agreements in this locale and in this timeframe. The agreement is the fruits of a second meeting between the representatives of the two cities in an attempt to promote reconciliation.
Is there a documented link to a national peace process?: Yes
Link to national process: articulated rationale: It seems that the agreement is linked to the national process. It was signed by local state leaders from municipalities ostensibly on different sides of the conflict. The agreement reaffirms the commitments of the signing parties to the constitutional declaration that states that "Libya is an independent democratic state where the Libyan people are the source of authority". It also mentions that: Page 1, This second meeting is the real beginning of reconciliation and stability for the two cities and the rest of the country [...] Page 1, 2. Libya is one nation and we will never accept its division or any ambitions on its territory Page 1, 3. Reiterating the importance of holding Libyan-Libyan dialogue inside Libya
Name of Locale: al-Zawiyyah, al-Zintan
Nature of Locale: Region
GPS Lat/Long (DD): 32.475567, 12.480077
Participant type: Local state actor
Domestic religious organisation/leader or other elder
Local community/civilian group(s)/civil society organisations
Mediator, facilitator or similar: No mention of mediator or similar

Local issues

Ritual/prayer and process (including use of scripture): Page 1, In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Page 1, All praises be to the Lord of the worlds, by Whose favor work is completed, and with Whose guidance efforts are successful, and peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, his family, and his companions.

Page 1,In adherence to His verse: “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you - when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided.” (Quran, 3:103)

Page 1, And in implementation of the saying of the Prophet: “The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body. When one of the limbs suffers, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever."

Page 1, untitled preamble, ... This second meeting is the real beginning of reconciliation and stability for the two cities and the rest of the country, and it shall be a pillar of social peace and sustainable development for generations to come, with Allah’s help and support....

Page 1, 7. The unification of the institutions of the state, including the army and the police, and the loyalty of these institutions be to Allah, then Libya, under the supervision of a civilian authority

Page 2, This is what we have agreed upon and committed to, and may Allah guide us to success. Peace be upon you.
Grievance List: Page 1, This second meeting is the real beginning of reconciliation and stability for the two cities and the rest of the country, and it shall be a pillar of social peace and sustainable development for generations to come, with Allah’s help and support.
Cattle rustling/banditry: No specific mention.
Social cover: No specific mention.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Pledge of Reconciliation Between the Cities of Zawiyyah and al-Zintan

All praises be to the Lord of the worlds, by Whose favor work is completed, and with Whose guidance efforts are successful, and peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, his family, and his companions.

In adherence to His verse:

“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.

And remember the favor of Allah upon you - when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers.

And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it.

Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided.” (

Quran, 3:103)

And in implementation of the saying of the Prophet:

“The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body.

When one of the limbs suffers, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever."

We, the people of the two cities, out of love to our country and an understanding of the danger of this period, as a part of the efforts needed from us, in order to unify the people, bridge the gaps, and bring about peace and stability, in confirmation of the first part of the constitutional declaration, which states that Libya is an independent democratic state where the Libyan people are the source of authority, and Islam is their religion, and Islamic shariah is their law, in completion of the efforts to communicate that were expended in the past by the people of the two cities, which culminated in the first meeting in the city of Al Zintan, are holding the second meeting in the city of Zawiyyah under the slogan of Zawiyyah and Al Zintan, Towards Reconciliation and Growth.

This second meeting is the real beginning of reconciliation and stability for the two cities and the rest of the country, and it shall be a pillar of social peace and sustainable development for generations to come, with Allah’s help and support.

The people of the two cities announce, in this code of conduct and reconciliation agreement, the following:

Reiterating what was stated in the closing statement that was issued by the first meeting in Al Zintan between the two cities, which was held on 17 April 2018

Libya is one nation and we will never accept its division or any ambitions on its territory

Reiterating the importance of holding Libyan-Libyan dialogue inside Libya

Not resorting to arms and violence, or threats of violence, and resorting to dialogue to resolve any conflict or dispute

Adhering to the principles of the February 17thRevolution and defending it

The peaceful transfer of power

The unification of the institutions of the state, including the army and the police, and the loyalty of these institutions be to Allah, then Libya, under the supervision of a civilian authority

Building a culture of forgiveness, tolerance, and national reconciliation, and strengthening this culture, through the various forms of media, and supporting visits between the people of these cities

Unifying the visions of the people to serve the country and contribute to solving its crises

Confirming and working to return the forcibly displaced and IDPs to their cities and areas

Fighting against extremism and organized crime, especially smuggling, in all of its forms

Forming a joint committee between the two cities to look into the unresolved issues and working to resolve them

Contributing to achieving social and economic development and ensuring that qualified and specialized individuals are put in positions of power in the Libyan state

Respecting all of the pledges and agreements that were signed by the two cities

The freedom of movement, ownership of property, and trade between the people of the two cities

This is what we have agreed upon and committed to, and may Allah guide us to success.

Peace be upon you.

Written in the city of Zawiyah on Thursday, 24 Sha’ban 1439 Hijri (10 May 2018)

The Signatories to the Pledge of Reconciliation

The Head of the Local Council of the City of Zawiyah

The Mayor of the Municipality of Al Zintan

[SIGNED]

The Head of the Shura, Elders, and Sheikhs of Zawiyah

The Head of the Social Committee of the City of Al Zintan

[SIGNED]

The Commander of the Military Operations Room in Zawiyah

The Head of the Military Council in the City of Al Zintan

[SIGNED]

The Head of the Families of the Martyrs Organization in Zawiyah

The Head of the Martyrs Association in the City of Al Zintan

[SIGNED]

Pledge of Reconciliation Between the Cities of Zawiyyah and al-Zintan

Local agreement properties

Local issues

Source agreement