Exclusive: Telecommunications Unions Alliance Rejects Settlement Granting Oil Field Services to Rawafed

Our source obtained copies detailing the agreement record between the Libyan Telecommunications Holding Company and Rawafed Company regarding the connection of oil fields to a telecommunications system.

According to the documents, a previous decision to suspend the second party’s services was issued without a valid legal or contractual basis and without observing the procedures and regulations stipulated in the contract or applicable laws. This caused harm to the legal position of the second party, prompting it to resort to the judiciary and file lawsuit No. 2025/1333 before the North Tripoli Court of First Instance, challenging the decision and requesting the suspension of its effects.

Following the appointment of a new board of directors for the first party, a comprehensive review of decisions and contracts issued by the previous management was conducted, including the disputed contract. After examination, it was concluded that the suspension decision violated the law and the contract’s provisions, and that the contract itself was legally, technically, and financially sound, with no grounds for termination or suspension in the manner previously carried out.

In an effort by both parties to correct the legal situation, eliminate the effects of the invalid decision, and end the dispute amicably and permanently while maintaining the contractual relationship on sound legal grounds, they agreed—voluntarily and definitively—to conclude this agreement based on several clauses. The preamble is considered an integral part of the agreement.

The first party explicitly acknowledged its full and final withdrawal from its letter dated May 11, 2025 (Reference No. QA 01/174), which had ordered the suspension of the second party’s services, treating it as null and void along with all resulting legal and administrative effects. It also affirmed the validity and continuation of the contract signed on August 17, 2022, and its commitment to all its terms.

Key Provisions of the Agreement:

• Article 3: The second party commits to withdrawing lawsuit No. 2025/133 before the North Tripoli Court of First Instance, along with any related claims, upon ratification of this agreement.
• Article 4: The first party commits to formally and permanently withdrawing its complaint filed with the Public Prosecutor against the second party and to complete procedures to close the case due to lack of grounds, including lifting any restrictions imposed on the second party.
• Article 5: The second party will resume providing the agreed services immediately after signing the agreement, while the first party will facilitate access to sites and facilities and remove all technical and administrative obstacles to ensure efficient system operation.
• Article 6: The first party acknowledges its obligation to pay all outstanding financial dues owed to the second party for the previous period of work. Both parties also agreed to either schedule compensation for material damages caused by the suspension period or waive them in exchange for extending the contract duration through a later financial and technical annex.

Unions’ Rejection

Against this backdrop, the Telecommunications Unions Alliance issued a statement rejecting a settlement reportedly attributed to the Chairman of the Holding Company, which would grant telecommunications services in oil fields and ports to Rawafed Company.

The alliance stressed that this step represents a violation of state sovereignty and carries serious economic consequences, including rising service prices, potential impacts on oil revenues, and risks to national security.

According to the statement:

• Violation of Sovereignty: The move is considered a direct infringement on state institutions and an unacceptable overreach, especially amid discussions about granting similar privileges in other strategic sectors, which threatens the role of the state and its institutions.
• Economic and Financial Impacts: The alliance warned of serious repercussions, including:
  • Significant increases in telecommunications service prices
  • Enabling the private sector to control strategic state-owned services and assets
  • Direct impact on the cost of oil production, potentially reducing state revenues

The statement also noted that the telecommunications sector has invested substantial funds in recent years to build infrastructure and restore these services, and that relinquishing them at this stage would constitute a clear waste of public funds.

• Legal and Regulatory Aspects: The alliance affirmed that the termination of these services by the telecommunications sector was carried out legally, as the previous contract had been canceled by the holding company. Additionally, a court ruling No. 7 was issued in favor of the sector, strengthening its legal position.

The statement further added that this course of action was based on directives from the Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity—acting as Chairman of the General Assembly of the telecommunications sector—to halt all such arrangements and restore rights and revenues to the telecommunications sector and the Libyan state. These directives were officially documented, and any action contradicting them would be considered a deviation from approved policies.