Ras Ajdir border crossing has been closed several times over last few months A number of Tunisian traders and citizens in the border town of Ben Guerdane, southern Tunisia, have closed the Ras Ajdir crossing with Libya in protest. The demonstrators want the official authorities to exempt them from taxes imposed on goods passing through the crossing.
Traders complained about the financial difficulties they are facing as a result of the high customs fees they have to pay to transfer goods from Tunisia to Libya.
On Tuesday, locals from Ben Guerdane congregated outside the Municipal Theatre in Tunis as part of a sit-in protest. The demonstration is expected to continue on to Wednesday with activists saying that they will not return to their town until all demands are met.
Protesters want the government to implement an agreement signed between a delegation from Ben Guerdane and nine government ministers, last week. Under the proposals, the government promised to complete the industrial zone and recognise the town’s right in sustainable development. The agreement also promised the formation of a committee responsible for solving problem of the Ras Ajdir border crossing.