Former Dutch Ambassador Dolf Hogewoning was interviewed last year. Read below the text of his experiences in Libya. 

Although Libya is not an easy place to work, there are plenty of good reasons for the Netherlands to be active there, according to the Dutch ambassador in Tripoli, Dolf Hogewoning. ‘Thanks to our country’s diplomatic efforts, the Netherlands is represented in a number of organisations and working groups that focus on some of the most important issues in Libya.’
 

What’s it like to be the ambassador to Libya?

‘It’s challenging, but more than that it’s exciting. It’s a special thing to finish my career as a diplomat in a region that I feel such a connection to. As former ambassador to Syria and chargé d’affaires in Jordan, I’ve grown accustomed to the Arabic language and Arab culture and to the political reality in this part of the world. It’s tragic what Libya has been through in the past 50 years – 40 years of dictatorship, followed by 10 years of civil war. I work here with a young team that’s full of passion and energy. But this it’s a high-risk area, and that makes the work extra challenging.’

What does being in a high-risk area mean for your day-to-day work?

‘It means that we split our time between Tripoli and the Tunisian capital Tunis. When we’re in Tripoli we stay at a high-security hotel. That’s also where the German embassy is located. We work and consult with them a lot, so it’s quite convenient from a practical perspective. All of my working visits outside the hotel must be planned in advance, and I always have a security detail. I can’t just go wherever I want.’

Given the circumstances, is it still worth having an embassy in Libya?

‘That’s certainly a valid question. But diplomatic work isn’t something you do from behind a desk, protected by high walls. We’ve opted to remain active here so that, through our efforts, the Netherlands is represented in various organisations and working groups that focus on some of the most important issues in Libya. These include the peace process, human rights and the rule of law. In 2020 the Netherlands became involved in the Berlin Process and was asked to co-chair the International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Working Group, together with Switzerland and UNSMIL [the UN Support Mission in Libya]. Through this working group we can take real steps, together with Libyans, to improve the human rights situation in the country and, in doing so, help establish the rule of law in Libya.’

Why is a stable Libya important for the Netherlands?

‘After 50 years of violence and oppression, it’s above all Libyans themselves who yearn for stability so that the country can move forward socioeconomically. But stability in Libya is also in the direct interest of the Netherlands and the rest of Europe. The current situation in Libya affects security and has led to irregular migration and people smuggling at Europe’s borders.’

What are the effects of irregular migration?

‘Irregular migration puts migrants at risk of falling prey to people smugglers. People smuggling is a crime, and those behind it do it for purely financial purposes – it’s a million-dollar industry. Smugglers charge up to $8,000 per person, sending people out to sea in tiny boats on a perilous journey to Europe. Many of these migrants are picked up along the way and sent back to Libya, ending up in detention centres, where the conditions are generally dire. We continue to be active in fighting people smuggling and improving the situation in these centres through our work within the EU and our support to international organisations such as IOM [the International Organization for Migration] and UNHCR [the UN Refugee Agency].’

How are Libya and the Netherlands working together on this difficult issue?

‘Bilateral relations between Libya and the Netherlands are good. Libyans see us as a fairly neutral party, unlike other countries which in recent decades have meddled a lot more in Libya’s domestic politics. Something that often comes up when discussing our countries’ bilateral relations is the work of Dutch diplomat Adriaan Pelt. In 1949, Pelt was appointed UN Commissioner in Libya and tasked with establishing an independent Libyan state before 1 January 1952. To do this, he had to unite the tribes and peoples in Libya, help draw up a constitution and build a functioning government. And he succeeded. Although the outcome has been somewhat idealised, it still reflects positively on us.’

What projects and activities are being carried out in Libya?

‘We support initiatives in areas including human rights and the rule of law. National audit offices in Libya and the Netherlands are also working together to improve the quality of Libya’s public finances. And we support journalists and human rights defenders, who are increasingly in danger, so that they can do their work in total freedom. This is an issue we bring up in discussions with the Libyan government. The human rights situation is currently deteriorating. Security services are making life difficult for NGOs. This is part of the political culture – they don’t trust NGOs that receive foreign support. That needs to change. NGOs need to be free to do their work. New legislation in Libya must give them legal security. We’re working towards making that happen.’

Are there economic partnerships between Libya and the Netherlands?

‘Because the Netherlands has issued a red travel advisory for Libya and we can only provide consular support from Tunisia, it’s difficult for businesses in the two countries to form partnerships. But it’s something people are open to. Libyans know what the Netherlands is good at and would like to make use of our skills and knowledge in areas such as offshore drilling, logistics, healthcare, water management and agriculture. For its part Libya, which has the world’s fifth-largest oil reserves, offers opportunities for Dutch offshore drilling companies. Although we don’t want to promote fossil fuels, the Netherlands and Europe do want to be independent from Russian oil and gas. In that respect, Libya could play an important role. And we in turn would also like to play a role in Libya’s energy transition.’

What can the Netherlands learn from Libya?

‘The hospitality and resilience of Libyans never ceases to amaze me. Despite everything, Libyans remain a proud people who love their country. And for good reason. This country, with its population of seven million, is beautiful and has enormous potential. With all of their raw materials, they could be as prosperous as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The coastal areas and desert are breath-taking, and the country also has a lot to offer in terms of culture. The Greek and Roman archaeological sites are unique and spectacular.’

Your term as ambassador ends in six months. What do you hope to achieve?

‘Our diplomatic work, of course, won’t stop when I leave. The Libyan peace process is a long-term project. In the coming period, we will continue to contribute to peace and stability. I want to look for ways to actively involve young Libyans in this process. Young people in this country are much less bothered by political differences and see themselves as part of a united Libya. The more scope the government allows for youth participation, the better off the country will be in the future.’