Maghreb Edition

Libya: Night-time curfew in Libya to thwart Covirus-19F

Posted On 21 March 2020

Number of times this article was read : 618

Tripoli, March 21, 2020 – Libya’s UN-recognised government declared a night-time curfew and closure of public spaces starting Sunday to keep the novel coronavirus out of areas it controls, while fighting continued south of the capital. The Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) announced a curfew lasting from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. (1600-0400 GMT) in a statement on Saturday. It also ordered the closure of restaurants, cafes and party halls, while banning funerals and weddings.

Libya is largely divided between forces loyal to the GNA and those of military commander Khalifa Haftar, who backs a rival administration in the country’s east. Pro-Haftar forces had on Thursday imposed their own night-time curfew in areas under their control.

After closing schools last week, the GNA said on Monday it was closing land borders and halting flights in the west to keep out the virus. To date, no cases of the COVID-19 disease have been reported by either
administration, but experts fear an outbreak could be catastrophic due to the country’s degraded health system.
Libya has been mired in chaos since the 2011 overthrow of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

The security and humanitarian situation in the country has deteriorated since Haftar launched an offensive to seize the capital in April last year. The fighting has left more than 1,000 people dead and around 150,000 displaced. A fragile truce entered into force on January 12, but both sides accuse the other of violations as regular clashes continue.

Five women were killed on Wednesday and five other civilians wounded in strikes attributed to pro-Haftar forces by the GNA and the UN. Haftar’s forces on Saturday “welcomed” calls for a new ceasefire made by the UN and several countries on Tuesday, saying they “continue to respect the truce”. The GNA had responded positively to these calls on Thursday, but said it reserved “the right to respond to daily assaults targeting civilians and public facilities”. On Saturday, sporadic bombardments could still be heard from the centre of the capital.

By AFP

Subscribe to Urgent Notifications and Newsletter

Most Recent Stories from the Region

Security: Hackers Publish Names Tied to Morocco’s Police and Intelligence Services$

Hackers operating as Jabaroot published four spreadsheets naming more than 70,000 alleged members of Morocco’s police and intelligence directorates, branding the release around the July 30 Ceuta border breach. European services reviewing the files consider the names genuine but dated, and accounts of their origin conflict sharply. Rabat has not responded, leaving the hackers’ framing to circulate unchallenged in Madrid and Brussels.

Algeria-France Trade Drops 23% with Import and Energy Curbs$

Trade between Algeria and France fell by roughly 23% in the year ending June 2026, dropping below €9 billion as import controls and political tensions reshape the relationship. Algeria’s tighter oversight of foreign purchases has sharply reduced French exports—particularly in food, automotive equipment, and industrial goods—while energy-driven exports to France also declined. The figures point to a broader shift as Algeria diversifies suppliers and reduces reliance on its former primary trading partner.

Morocco Faces Balancing Test Over Potential Gaza Security Role$

A reported plan for a Moroccan military outpost in Gaza is raising questions about Rabat’s regional strategy. While participation in a multinational stabilization force could be framed as humanitarian and security support, a visible troop presence inside an Israeli-controlled area risks political backlash at home and abroad. The proposal highlights the tension between Morocco’s ties to Israel and its longstanding positioning as a supporter of Palestinian interests.

Written by The North Africa Journal

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.