The Conflict in Sudan and the Security Challenges for the Libyan Authorities

Abstract

This research investigates the profound impact of the ongoing armed conflict in Sudan on Libya's national security, focusing on the strategic, political, and social consequences of the instability emerging from the Sudanese civil war. The study adopts a descriptive-analytical and historical approach to examine how the collapse of security structures in Sudan since the fall of the Al-Bashir regime, and the subsequent escalation between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, directly threaten the fragile stability in Libya. By analyzing the historical development of border security, the study highlights critical challenges, particularly concerning illegal migration, the proliferation of small arms, and the potential infiltration of terrorist organizations into the porous southern Libyan borders. Furthermore, the paper evaluates the internal Libyan dynamics, noting how political fragmentation and the absence of unified security institutions complicate the state's response to these external pressures. The research concludes that the Sudanese conflict serves as a catalyst for regional insecurity, necessitating a comprehensive national security strategy that prioritizes border control, intelligence cooperation, and regional diplomatic engagement. Recommendations emphasize the urgent need for a unified Libyan security vision, enhanced border monitoring mechanisms using modern technologies, and the formation of joint security committees with neighboring countries to mitigate the spillover effects of the crisis. Ultimately, the study underscores that Libya's security is inextricably linked to the restoration of stability in Sudan and the broader Sahel-Saharan region, urging proactive regional cooperation to safeguard national sovereignty against the multidimensional threats arising from the ongoing humanitarian and security catastrophe in Sudan.