Panafrican News Agency

AU urges chambers of Libyan parliament to agree on election process

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) – Expressing great concern that Libya is gripped by political and security uncertainty after the failure to hold national elections in December 2021 and expiration of the timeline for the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) roadmap, the African Union has once again called the country’s two chambers of parliament to reach an agreement on the constitutional basis for the elections.

“The resulting political impasse has affected the security situation as manifested in the recent intermittent clashes in the country. The safety of civilians, mainly in the capital Tripoli, is under constant threat where security tensions between armed groups often leads to outbreaks of violence and skirmishes in densely populated areas. Local mediators should be commended for their tireless efforts to restore peace and security,” said a statement of the Peace and Security Commission (PSC) of the AU on Thursday.

Based on the current state of play, the Security Commission called on all Libyan internal actors to preserve the peace and refrain from any proactive moves that could breach the ceasefire agreement thereby returning the country to military confrontations.

It gave the assurance that the AU high-level committee under the leadership of President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo continues to spearhead AU initiatives for peace and stability in Libya.

Last week, a high-level delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Congo, Jean-Claude Gakosso, visited Tripoli and Benghazi and met a wide range of key political and military Libyan actors.

Deliberations during his visit focused on the role of the AU in supporting the inter-Libyan inclusive reconciliation process, as the Government of Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibeh has just finalised the national reconciliation strategy.

According to the AU statement, released by Dr. Alhaji Sarjoh Bah, Director of Conflict Management, on the situation in Libya, the Council believes that success of the constitutional track will allow Libyans to regain control of institutional sovereignty and their national territorial integrity.

The PSC has also underscored the importance of the full implementation of the permanent ceasefire agreement of 23 October 2020 endorsed by UN Security Council Resolutions 2570 and 2571 and the second Berlin Conference on Libya.

The Commission stressed that the continued presence of foreign forces, foreign fighters and mercenaries in the country “remains a major source of concern”.

The statement also stated that the support of the international community and the participants in the Berlin Process is critical for the implementation of the Libyan plan for the withdrawal of these foreign armed factions and individuals.

Meanwhile, the AU said it welcomes and supports the initiative of the Joint Military Commission (JMC) 5+5 to develop arrangements and a national action plan for the withdrawal of foreign armed groups, and has appointed a focal person to liaise with the 5+5 JMC.

“The AU commends the resumption of the activities of the 5+5 JMC and welcomes the outcomes of their meetings in Toledo, Tunis and Cairo in May and June, respectively."

The AU said it recognises the important contribution that the JMC has made to Libya’s stability and security since the October 2020 Ceasefire Agreement.

"The work of the JMC and the Joint Constitutional Committee demonstrates that Libyans are eager to work together across political lines to lead the country towards peace and stability,” read the statement.

The PSC called on all actors to "hear the voice of the Libyan people who are yearning for peace, security and stability under the leadership of a legitimately elected and unified Government".

More than 2.8 million Libyan voters are registered for the polls to choose their new unified and elected authorities through free, fair and transparent elections.

-0- PANA AR/MA 30June2022