Mehdi Bchir is a North Africa specialist with extensive experience in peacebuilding, governance and international affairs. Currently, he serves as the regional representative for the United States Institute of Peace in coastal West Africa. Bchir has held various positions within the United Nations Development Program, focusing on stabilization and conflict management.

In addition to his work with the UN, Bchir has collaborated with organizations such as the World Bank Group and strategic consultancy firms. His expertise extends to the financial investment industry, where he held senior positions in major global banks and investment firms.

Bchir is also a published author on topics related to international finance and political risk. He holds a master's degree in international studies and diplomacy from The University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and a bachelor's degree in international business management from the Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, UK.
 

Publications By Mehdi

How Commemoration Can Help Unite a Divided Libya

How Commemoration Can Help Unite a Divided Libya

Thursday, August 24, 2023

In the al-Washishi district of Benghazi a burnt-out car stands in memorial to a slain Libyan National Army (LNA) special forces fighter, serving as a city-wide reflection of the country’s 2014-2017 civil war. The car belonged to Salem (Afareet) Al-Naili, whose father was brutally murdered, one of the many victims of terrorist violence in the city. Inspired by the personal loss of his father, Salem threw himself into the fighting in the city’s civil war and was ultimately also assassinated.

Type: Analysis

Reconciliation

Beyond Elections: Libya Needs Unified Institutions and Reconciliation

Beyond Elections: Libya Needs Unified Institutions and Reconciliation

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Last week, the U.N. Security Council met to discuss its Libya mission and its new plan to end the country’s political impasse through elections. While credible polls will be a critical step in forging a path to peace, they are not a panacea for addressing this byzantine conflict’s deeply rooted drivers and the intense, bitter rivalries and factionalism that have surfaced since 2011. Indeed, previous efforts to hold elections have buckled under the weight of the intricate dynamics at play. Over a decade after the fall of Muammar Qaddafi, resolving Libya's complex conflict will require a multifaceted approach that prioritizes building trust among Libyans.

Type: Analysis

Conflict Analysis & PreventionDemocracy & Governance

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