Business as usual at Tunisia's southerly border crossing

Imed, the head of  technical services in the municipality of Dhibat in the south east of Tunisia  and only a few kilometres away from one of its most southerly border posts, keeps a close count of the trucks driving through the area. Forty percent of Tunisian companies depend on trade with Libya, he said.

Around noon, two trucks drive through. It is the first time in ten days that the driver of the first truck has been on the road.

The situation may be tense, but political troubles in Tunisia and Libya have not put a stop to cross border trade. Small-time smuggling - "trabendo" as they say here – is flourishing.

What Imed is more reluctant to admit is that he is also worried about his own ‘personal’ business dealings. “For Egypt and Tunisia, Libya is a gold mine," he said.

‘Trabendo’

Libya fuels the local economy with plasma screens, mobile phones, tobacco and oil. In Tunisia, beside the official petrol stations where oil sells for 1.5 dinars per litre (€0.77) the best deals – 1.1 dinars per litre (€0.56) - are done at small shacks along the roadside where jerricans and pipes replace pumping stations.

"Now with your so-called freedom, we’ve got nothing; nothing happens anymore, they’ve turned off the tap” Imed complained. “Talk about democracy! We’re not used to democracy. Give me food, security and do as you please!"

Neighbourly, helping hands

Yet, with the growing threat of civil war in Libya, Imed and other citizens of Dhibat are taking a break from business to reach out to their neighbours.

In a warehouse at the border post, men are busy packing boxes of food, nappies and other everyday knickknacks donated by Tunisians in a Libyan-registered van.

To go to the village of Nalout, 68 kilometers away, the van will go around a checkpoint and follow a mountain road instead.

And recently, they have been doing this between five and seven times per day every day.

Libyan connections

On the Libyan side, there are men like Bechir, a state employee and father of one, who comes to get fresh supplies for villages that have joined the resistance against Gaddafi.

Bechir also brings fresh news of the uprising. Insurgents armed with automatic weapons exchanged fire with the Libyan military two days ago at the foot of the mountain between Ouatia and Sorman. Some were injured and the insurgents captured 19 prisoners, all Gaddafi’s mercenaries, he said.

A Tunisian policeman confirmed that rebels hold the small towns of Nalout and Zentane on the mountain whereas the roads at the foot of it as well as access to border posts are controlled by the Libyan army.

"We’re ready to go all the way," Bashir said as he makes a throat-slicing gesture. And he knows he can count on the support of his Tunisian neighbours.
 

Business as usual at Libya-Tunisia border The border post of Dhibat along the Libya - Tunisia border (photo credit: Marie Valla) The Libyan village of Nalout, 68 km from the border, is controlled by Libyan rebels (photo credit: Marie Valla) Libyan customs officers are gone, replaced by soldiers (photo credit: Marie Valla) The goods destined for neighbouring Libyan vilalges are stocked here by the inhabitants of Dhibat (photo credit: Marie Valla) Among the goods, toys and clothes (photo credit: Marie Valla) Imed escorts his Libyan freind Bechir who is carrying supplies to nearby mountain villages (photo credit: Marie Valla)