Maghreb Edition

As Oil Production Rises in Libya, so are Local Tribes and Militias’ FortunesF



Posted On 11 December 2014

Number of times this article was read : 508

After reaching its lowest level a few months ago, Libya’s oil production has been slowly rising to reach an estimated 800,000 barrels per day. It is still half of its peak, but it is a significant evolution in a country that is in war. Indeed what is peculiar is this apparently organized sector seems to operate in the middle of a major political and security chaos. This begs the question as to who is really in charge. On the ground, the Misratan militias continue to gain momentum as a political and military force. This is happening at the expanse of the other tribal militias and the pro-Gaddafi lobbies. The rise of the Misratans is also hurting the central government. Still, despite the rise of one, and the weakening of many, the management and oversight of the oil sector is the domain of not a single authority and remains at the center of a fight involving virtually all the political and militia forces.

– Paying subscribers continue here
– MEA Risk temporary courtesy read here (please sign up for free first)

Podcast: Development Without Aid: Power, Politics, and Local Resilience in the Global South$

A conversation with Dr. Kate Schecter, President and CEO of World Neighbors, on how community-led development works in practice across the Global South.

Subscribe to Urgent Notifications and Newsletter

Most Recent Stories from the Region

Algeria’s Northern Grain Farmers Push Back Against the Government’s Saharan Wheat Strategy✓

Northern Algerian farmers are pushing back on the government’s Saharan wheat strategy after equipment shortages disrupted this summer’s record harvest, according to local media.

Libya: Washington’s Libya Plan Would Install Haftar’s Son as President. Libya’s Institutions Are Saying No✓

Washington’s power-sharing plan for Libya would install Saddam Haftar as president while Abdulhamid Dbeibah remains prime minister. But Libya’s High Council of State, Misrata’s leadership, and Grand Mufti Sadiq al-Gharyani have all rejected it, while the UN’s separate 4+4 committee is quietly producing the actual roadmap Washington’s plan still lacks.

Energy: Africa’s LNG surging to global leverage✓

Africa is no longer just a fallback option in liquefied natural gas. With Nigeria boosting capacity, Algeria reinforcing its role as a core supplier to Europe, and Mozambique building one of the world’s biggest LNG hubs, the continent is turning into a strategic supplier for Europe and Asia, offering both new volumes and shorter, more flexible delivery routes.

Written by The NAJ

The North Africa Journal is a leading English-language publication focused on North Africa. The Journal covers primarily the Maghreb region and expands its general coverage to the Sahel, Egypt, and beyond, when events in those regions affect the broader North Africa geography. The Journal does not have any affiliation with any institution and has been independent since its founding in 1996. Our position is to always bring our best analysis of events affecting the region, and remain as neutral as humanly possible. Our coverage is not limited to one single topic, but ranges from economic and political affairs, to security, defense, social and environmental issues. We rely on our full staff analysts and editors to bring you best-in-class analysis. We also work with sister company MEA Risk LLC, to leverage the presence on the ground of a solid network of contributors and experts. Information on MEA Risk can be found at www.MEA-Risk.com.