Sebha A Leading City in the Heart of the Libyan Desert: Urbanization, Migration, Development, Tension

Sebha, the Capital of Fezzan has experienced remarkable growth in recent decades. Once a modest oasis, it has been elevated to the status of a "city-state" and "gateway to Africa," becoming the largest city in the Sahara Desert.

Libya's desert, rich in oil (the second-largest African producer) and with massive underground water reserves, has witnessed unprecedented growth. Sebha has benefited from this continuous development, attracting public and private investments as well as thousands of migrants. Now a gateway for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, Sebha finds itself on the front line of multiple challenges—ideological, economic, migratory, and geo-strategic. These challenges make the central Sahara, illuminated by this city, a key to regional stability.

The "City of Sands," currently under significant population pressure and intense resource exploitation, faces the risk of rapid depletion. It must envision a new model of development to avoid becoming a mirage and falling into oblivion.

Pierre Pinta, whose expertise spans history, geopolitics, and ethnography, specializes in the Mediterranean region and the Arab-Islamic world. He has authored several books covering diverse countries, from Iraq to Libya and Lebanon.