The suspicious role of Tunisian Ennahda in Libya

Over the past years, Ennahda Movement, Muslim Brotherhood offshoot in Tunisia, has involved itself in neighboring Libya; by heavily supporting the Brotherhood and its allies including militias in Libya with weapons and mercenaries.

Tunisia's President Kais Saied’s decision last week to freeze the Parliament, and lift the immunity of its members has opened the door to prosecuting those involved in acts of violence and terrorism, the release of terrorists, and the smuggling of mercenaries and extremists across the border.

These acts are believed to be linked to Parliament Speaker, and the Head of the pro-Muslim Brotherhood Ennahda Movement, Rashid Ghannouchi.

Parliament Speaker, and the Head of the pro-Muslim Brotherhood Ennahda Movement, Rashid Ghannouchi is believed to have had a prominent role in supporting the militias in western Libya.

Reports revealed that Ghannouchi helped release extremist suspects in Tunisia, and worked to transfer them to Tripoli. Many of whom fought during the recent conflict in exchange for promises including obtaining Foreign citizenship.

According to reports, Ghannouchi’s party supervised the smuggling of weapons to Libya across the Tunisian border, in coordination with prominent members of the Muslim Brotherhood in Libya. 

He is thought to have a close relationship with a number of figures affiliated with the group, such as Ali Al-Sallabi and Abdel-Hakim Belhaj.

Al-Sallabi acknowledged Tunisia’s role in supporting the rebels by smuggling weapons across the Tunisian border into Libya, as well as Qatar & Turkey's role in financing & supporting Ghannouchi for years. 

"They have granted him approximately 200 Million Dollars. This money has been used to help extremists in Libya thrive”, Al-Sallabi added.

Ghannouchi was also accused of turning a blind eye towards the Tunisian jihadists who flocked to join Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and carried out assassinations at home.

The practices of the Ennahda Movement and its President have fueled the conflict in Libya, resulting in severe internal tensions within Tunisia. 

This has resulted in Tunisian parties condemning Ennahda’s support for Libya’s militias, fearing it could drag the country into alliances harmful to Tunisia and Libya.