Land and Conflict Case Study: Land Rights Disputes in western Libya

The case study “Conflicts over land rights escalate amid fractured state governance and competing allegiances after the 2011 revolution.” explores how decades of shifting land policies, weak land administration, and fragmented governance have shaped recent tensions in western Libya. The strained relationship between the Zintan and Mashashya tribes stems from contested resettlement decisions under the Gaddafi government and long-standing perceptions of unequal access to land and public resources. Following the 2011 uprising, the collapse of central authority, the rise of rival governments, and the proliferation of armed groups brought unresolved land and property claims to the forefront, escalating violence, driving displacement, and complicating prospects for return and reconciliation.

Using the GLTN tool “How to Do a Root Cause Analysis of Land and Conflict for Peace Building”  the analysis identifies the underlying drivers of conflict as well as the factors that have intensified or triggered disputes over time. Findings highlight how historical land distribution policies, inconsistent legal frameworks, and the absence of an effective land administration system undermines security and stability in Libya.

This case study was documented by the Arab Land Initiative of UN-Habitat and the Global Land Tool Network (GLTN) in partnership with the Arab Group for the Protection of Nature (APN) and with the financial support of the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (BMZ). It forms part of a broader effort to analyze land-related conflict dynamics across the Arab region. 

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