Libya’s Toubou tribes demand recognition

Libya’s Toubou tribes have called for recognition under the forthcoming constitution, citing foreign minority rights legislation and the International Charter for Human Rights to bolster their claim. At a conference during the Zala Festival, a celebration of Toubou culture in southern Libya, tribal representatives beseeched government officials to guarantee their constitutional rights as Libyan citizens. Tribal leaders condemned the Public National Conference, the body responsible for approving Libya’s new draft constitution, for neglecting to broach the subject of ethnic minorities thus far. Dr Saleh Mohamed Al Makhzoom Al Saleh, Deputy Chairperson of the Public National Conference, attended the Zala Festival talk. A government delegation, military officials, and local leaders were also present. Toubous noted the importance of upholding traditional cultural heritage, which could transcend political divides. The Zala festival featured performances, folk dances and exhibitions of traditional artefacts. Libya’s southern desert is an international travel destination, but recent security threats have jeopardised the tourism industry. Ethnic minorities suffered decades of oppression and discrimination under the old Libyan regime. Former president Muammar Gaddafi officially banned Amazigh, the language of the Berber population, on the grounds that traditional cultures posed a threat to his vision of Libya as a homogeneous Arab society. Minority groups fought alongside rebels to oust the Gaddafi regime in 2011 revolution, and have since been striving to achieve equal rights and political representation.