The Stateless Tebu of Libya?

Abstract

A product of the Middle East and North Africa Nationality and Statelessness Research Project, this report explores the situation of the Tebu minority in Libya. A traditionally nomadic Saharan tribe which has long inhabited an area straddling the borders of present-day Libya, Chad and Niger. It is a widely reported fact that the Tebu have long suffered from persecution and oppression in Libya. There is now also ambiguity surrounding the legal status of many Tebu people and concern that legal and political developments in the country during and after Gadaffi's rule may have left some of the Tebu without any nationality. This report draws together available information on the Tebu's nationality status to look at how statelessness may be affecting this group. It also includes a detailed interview with a member of the Tebu National Assembly who explains his perspective on the Tebu's situation.

Keywords: Tebu, Libya, nationality, citizenship, statelessness